Calcium supplementation provides an extended window of opportunity for bone mass accretion after menarche.
BACKGROUND
High calcium intakes during adolescence may increase bone acquisition. The magnitude of the effect of dietary calcium supplementation and the timing of its administration to achieve significant effects on bone health are still incompletely defined.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to assess the effect of calcium supplementation on bone mass accretion in postmenarcheal adolescent girls with low calcium intakes.


METHODS
A double-blind, placebo-controlled calcium supplementation study was implemented. One hundred girls with a mean (+/- SD) age of 14 +/- 0.5 y with habitual calcium intakes < 800 mg/d completed a 12-mo protocol. The treatment group received a daily supplement containing 1000 mg elemental calcium. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) of the total body, lumbar spine, and femoral neck were determined at inclusion, 6 mo, and 12 mo. Also measured were serum concentrations of biochemical markers of bone turnover (osteocalcin and deoxypyridinoline), parathyroid hormone, and vitamin D.


RESULTS
The calcium-supplemented group had greater accretion of total-body BMD and lumbar spine BMD but not BMC than did the control group. Calcium supplementation appeared selectively beneficial for girls who were 2 y postmenarcheal. Calcium supplementation significantly decreased bone turnover and decreased serum parathyroid hormone concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
Calcium supplementation of postmenarcheal girls with low calcium intakes enhances bone mineral acquisition, especially in girls > 2 y past the onset of menarche.
Department of Clinical Nutrition, Rambam Medical Center Haifa, Haifa, Israel. rgeila@rambam.helath.gov.il
Geila S
GS
Rozen
Gad
G
Rennert
Roni P
RP
Dodiuk-Gad
Hedy S
HS
Rennert
Nathan
N
Ish-Shalom
Gissel
G
Diab
Batia
B
Raz
Sofia
S
Ish-Shalom
D000293:Adolescent; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015519:Bone Density; D016723:Bone Remodeling; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005272:Femur Neck; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008572:Menarche; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010919:Placebos; D013997:Time Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood
D000596:Amino Acids; D015415:Biomarkers; D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D010919:Placebos; D015675:Osteocalcin; D014807:Vitamin D; C036020:deoxypyridinoline