Dietary calcium intake and rates of bone loss in women.
We measured bone mineral density (BMD) at the midradius and lumbar spine in 106 normal women, ages 23-84 yr (61 were postmenopausal). Three to nine measurements (median, four) were made over 2.6 to 6.6 yr (mean, 4.1 yr). The correlation between calcium intake (range, 260-2,035 mg/d) and rate of change in BMD was not significant at the midradius (r = 0.06) or lumbar spine (r = 0.08), even after adjusting for age, menopausal status, and serum estrogen levels by multiple regression analysis. Women in the lower (mean, 501 mg/d) and in the upper (mean, 1,397 mg/d) quartiles of dietary intake had similar rates of change in BMD (%/yr [mean +/- SE], at midradius, -0.78 +/- 0.24 and -0.91 +/- 0.17 for lower and upper quartiles, respectively; at lumbar spine, -1.06 +/- 0.24 and 0.98 +/- 0.24). These data do not support the hypothesis that insufficient dietary calcium is a major cause of bone loss in women.
Riggs
B L
BL
Endocrine Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905.
Wahner
H W
HW
Melton
L J
LJ
Richelson
L S
LS
Judd
H L
HL
O'Fallon
W M
WM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000032:analysis; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003720:Densitometry; D004967:Estrogens / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000503:physiopathology*
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D004967:Estrogens; D008903:Minerals