Calcium is a major building-block of bone – the skeleton houses 99% of the body’s calcium stores. The calcium in our bones also acts as a reservoir for maintaining calcium levels in the blood, which is needed for healthy nerves and muscles.
The amount of calcium we need changes at different stages in our lives. In our teenage years, more calcium is needed because bones are growing rapidly. At an older age, the body’s ability to absorb calcium declines, which is one of the reasons why seniors also require higher amounts.
Daily calcium intake recommendations vary between countries and studies have shown that even in countries with lower recommended amounts, many people are not consuming enough.
Recommendations from the Institute of Medicine of the US are presented in the table below.
Recommended daily calcium intakes (IOM, NAM)
Age
Calcium Recommended daily Intake (mg/day)
Infancy to Adolescence