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Although primary care clinicians often advise patients to take calcium supplements, evidence that high calcium intake improves bone-mineral density (BMD) is scant. In this cross-sectional study, researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to assess the relation between calcium intake and BMD in about 1500 U.S. residents (age, ≥50). Calcium intake was estimated from two 24-hour dietary recalls, and BMD testing was performed in all participants.
Mean daily calcium intake (dietary plus supplemental) ranged from about 400 mg daily in the lowest quintile to >2000 mg daily in the highest quintile. Analysis adjusted for body-mass index showed very little relation between calcium intake and hip or lumbar BMD regar…