Calcium is an important mineral for proper functioning of the human body. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, the functions of calcium are so vital to survival that the body will take the calcium from bones to maintain normal blood calcium levels when dietary calcium intake in insufficient. For children who are growing rapidly, it is important to ingest adequate amounts of calcium daily to ensure healthy bone formation.
Recommended Intake
The National Institutes of Health released new recommendations for dietary intake of calcium on November 30, 2010. These recommendations vary according to age. Infants younger than 6 months should get 200 milligrams of calcium daily, while those from 7 to 12 months should get 260 mg daily. Children from 1 to 3 years should get 700 mg daily, and children from 4 to 8 years should ingest 1,000 mg each day. Children and teens from 9 to 18 years should get 1,300 mg daily, while adults 19 to 50 years only need 1,000 mg daily. The higher amount for the 9 to 18 year olds is due to the rapid growth in that age group.
Food Sources
Calcium is found in many foods. Milk, yogurt and cheese are the main food sources of calcium for most people in the U.S. An 8-ounce serving of milk or yogurt, and 1.5 ounces of cheddar cheese, has about 300 mg of calcium. Chinese cabbage is also rich with calcium, containing 239 mg of calcium in a half-cup of cooked cabbage. Other food sources include kale, broccoli and fish with soft bones, such as canned sardines and salmon. Calcium is often added to some breakfast cereals, fruit juices, soy and rice beverages, and tofu. Check the labels to see if these foods have added calcium.
Interactions
Some food components have been found to decrease the absorption of calcium in the intestines. Oxalic acid or oxalate inhibits calcium absorption and is found in spinach, rhubarb, sweet potatoes and dried beans. Phytic acid also inhibits calcium absorption and is found in wheat bran and dried beans. If your child eats these foods in abundance, she may need higher doses of calcium to maintain good health.
Also, adequate amounts of vitamin D are needed for optimal calcium absorption, and if your child is not getting enough vitamin D, she may need supplementation to ensure adequate blood levels of calcium. The resource section has the recommendations from the NIH regarding daily vitamin D intake.
Also, adequate amounts of vitamin D are needed for optimal calcium absorption, and if your child is not getting enough vitamin D, she may need supplementation to ensure adequate blood levels of calcium. The resource section has the recommendations from the NIH regarding daily vitamin D intake.
High-Risk Groups
Certain groups of children are at higher risk of calcium deficiency, or hypocalcemia, and may need additional calcium supplementation. Children who never or rarely eat dairy products may have hypocalcemia because this is the main source of calcium for most U.S. children. Children who are on medicines known as loop diuretics may have calcium deficiency because these medicines increase calcium excretion in the urine. These medicines are commonly known by their trade names of Lasix and Bumex. Children taking antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium can have calcium deficiency because these elements also increase calcium excretion in the urine. Mineral oil and stimulant laxatives reduce calcium absorption, so children on these medications are at risk for hypocalcemia. And children who are on the steroid prednisone for months at a time are at risk for calcium deficiency, states the NIH.
Supplements
If your child doesn't get enough calcium form his diet, or falls into one of the high-risk groups listed above, supplementation is a good way to ensure adequate calcium intake. The two main forms of calcium dietary supplements are carbonate and citrate. Calcium carbonate is inexpensive but needs an acidic environment to be absorbed, so it needs to be taken with food. Calcium citrate is more expensive but can be taken on a full or empty stomach. There are many supplements available for children, including chewing gum, liquid suspensions, powder to mix with a beverage, chewable tablets, softchew tablets, and capsules or tablets, as indicated by Pediatric Care Online.
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