Thus, even though the children used dairy products generously, a supplement was very beneficial. This suggests that the RDA is not high enough for this age group. Similar conclusions are being reached about other age groups as well. Dr. Weaver's conclusion, from a review of others' research as well as her own studies, is that calcium retention in females is better during the premenarchal period than after the onset of menses. Calcium retention is also two times as good during the teen years as during young adulthood.
Teens are more efficient at acquiring bone than at any later age.
In a preview of her paper to be published soon in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Dr. Weaver reported on the fractional absorption of calcium from several foods. Although the percentage of calcium absorbed from some plant sources is excellent, the actual amount of calcium in the vegetable may be quite low. Thus, the overall amount of calcium actually contributed to the diet may still be rather low. She went on to calculate how much of each of these foods you would have to eat to get the equivalent amount of calcium as if you had drunk 8 ounces of milk. 1.2 buttons.html ISU Extension Extension Sites Search Commercial or private sites linked from this page are intended only to supply information.