Calcium supplementation has also been suggested for many women to lessen the effects of osteoporosis. When calcium intake is inadequate, the body will remove the needed mineral from the stores found in the bones. Osteoporosis is the resulting weakening of the bones associated with demineralization. Supplementation helps to maintain a positive balance so that adequate calcium remains stored in the bones. Unfortunately, not all of the calcium ingested in food and supplements will be absorbed by the body and utilized.
Many factors affect the absorption of calcium into the body.
Other foods may be fortified with calcium as well. This leavened bread also permitted greater calcium absorption than unleavened cookies made with the same fortified wheat flour. Ingested calcium passes through the stomach and is absorbed by the small intestine. The fraction of calcium absorbed does vary according to the quantity of food ingested. There appears to be an inverse relationship between the amount of calcium taken and the amount absorbed.