Calcium needs vary depending on age and sex. For example, adults aged 19 to 50 should get no more than 2,500 milligrams per day, whereas those older than 51 should get no more than 2,000 milligrams per day. Those numbers are the top amount, and the optimal amount for daily calcium intake for healthy adults is 1,000 milligrams for men and 1,200 milligrams for women.