Nutrition Trivia – Calcium Absorption Goes Down With Age

by TwinToddlersDad on November 21, 2009

in Food Facts

According to the 2nd edition of the PDR for Nutritional Supplements -

The absorption efficiency of calcium varies throughout the life span. It is highest during infancy when it is about 60%. In prepubertal children, it is about 28%. During early puberty, at the time of the growth spurt, it increases to 34% and then drops to 25% two years later.

How you can use this information -

  1. Get your kids to drink milk and eat yogurt at an early age. Dairy is the best source of calcium. Unless you have an allergy problem, this should be your first choice. Milk also has vitamin D which is necessary for calcium absorption.
  2. Other sources of calcium and vitamin D – fortified orange juice, cereals, collard greens, broccoli, tofu, salmon, spinach. Offering a variety of food sources in addition to, or instead of dairy, is a good way to get calcium in your child’s growing bones early on.
  3. Recommended daily value for children 1-3 years is 500 mg (about 2 cups of milk) and for children 4-8 years is 800 mg (2-3 cups of milk).
  4. In addition to food sources, physical activity is also important. Both exercise and nutrition help bones to increase their strength.

Building a calcium reserve at an early age is almost like building a bank balance of good health for the rest of your child’s life.

What has worked well for you in providing adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D in your child’s diet?

©2009 Littlestomaks.com
Information provided in this post is not meant to be treated as medical advice

Related Posts with Thumbnails

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
  • Twitter
  • SphereIt
  • Technorati

Related Posts

  • Ask the Expert – Meeting Your Child’s Calcium Needs
  • Build Strong Bones With Calcium and Vitamin D
  • 40% of infants and toddlers have vitamin D deficiency. Should you worry?
  • http://littlebabylulu.blogspot.com/ Amber Lynn

    Since Tillie’s only 6 months old, she gets her calcium from formula. This is a great reminder about calcium. So far, she hasn’t met a veggie she doesn’t like. Hopefully she’ll like broccoli as much as my husband and I do.

  • http://littlebabylulu.blogspot.com/ Amber Lynn

    Since Tillie’s only 6 months old, she gets her calcium from formula. This is a great reminder about calcium. So far, she hasn’t met a veggie she doesn’t like. Hopefully she’ll like broccoli as much as my husband and I do.

  • http://www.RaiseHealthyEaters.com Maryann Jacobsen, MS, RD

    My 3-year old daughter loves milk so much that calcium hasn’t been a problem. I hope she continues to drink it as she gets older and her calcium needs go up.

  • http://www.RaiseHealthyEaters.com Maryann Jacobsen, MS, RD

    My 3-year old daughter loves milk so much that calcium hasn’t been a problem. I hope she continues to drink it as she gets older and her calcium needs go up.

  • http://metamegan.blogpost.com Megan

    Wow – there is a lot of good info here. I look forward to checking out your site!
    Megan
    ICLW

  • http://metamegan.blogpost.com Megan

    Wow – there is a lot of good info here. I look forward to checking out your site!
    Megan
    ICLW

  • http://littlestomaks.com TwinToddlersDad

    Hello Megan
    Thank you for visiting. If there is a toddler nutrition question or topic you want me to research and write about, let me know!

  • http://littlestomaks.com TwinToddlersDad

    Hello Megan
    Thank you for visiting. If there is a toddler nutrition question or topic you want me to research and write about, let me know!

  • http://nickrystal.blogspot.com Krystal

    Calcium isn’t really an issue for my little guy, because he loves milk and cheese and the like. My mom gives my younger brothers and sisters a vitamin D supplement every day with their multiple-vitamin. I heard somewhere that vitamin D is good for your immune system. Is that accurate?

    I’m stopping by from ICLW.

  • http://nickrystal.blogspot.com Krystal

    Calcium isn’t really an issue for my little guy, because he loves milk and cheese and the like. My mom gives my younger brothers and sisters a vitamin D supplement every day with their multiple-vitamin. I heard somewhere that vitamin D is good for your immune system. Is that accurate?

    I’m stopping by from ICLW.

Previous post:

Next post: