The role of calcium in health and disease

Skeletal fragility at the end of the life span (osteoporosis) is a major so urce of morbidity and mortality. Adequate calcium intake from childhood to the end of the life span is critical for the formation and retention of a h ealthy skeleton. High intakes of calcium and vitamin D potentiate the bone loss prevention effects of hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal wo men. Pregnancy and lactation are not risk factors for skeletal fragility, a lthough lactation is associated with a transient loss of bone that cannot b e prevented by calcium supplementation. Low calcium intake has been implica ted in the development of hypertension, colon cancer, and premenstrual synd rome, and it is associated with low intakes of many other nutrients. Encour agement of increased consumption of calcium-rich foods has the potential to be a cost-effective strategy for reducing fracture incidence later in life and for increasing patients' dietary quality and overall health.