Mb. Andon et al., SUPPLEMENTATION TRIALS WITH CALCIUM CITRATE MALATE - EVIDENCE IN FAVOR OF INCREASING THE CALCIUM RDA DURING CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE, The Journal of nutrition, 124(8), 1994, pp. 190001412-190001417
The vast majority of peak adult bone mass is accumulated by the time l
ongitudinal growth is complete. As peak bone mass is an important dete
rminant of future fracture risk, the goal of the current calcium recom
mended dietary allowance during youth is to provide a calcium intake t
hat allows individuals to reach their full genetic potential for acqui
ring skeletal mass. The advent of controlled trials of calcium supplem
entation and total body bone mass measurements in children and adolesc
ents provide the first direct way of determining the amount of calcium
necessary to achieve optimal skeletal accretion. These studies indica
te that the current RDAs are insufficient to support optimal bone mass
gain during growth and development. Based on the recent intervention
trials, recommendations are made for an RDA of 1250 mg during childhoo
d and 1450 mg during adolescence. These values are consistent with est
ablished calcium balance intake thresholds for growth during pre-adole
scence and adolescence.