Calcium absorption in the elderly. (Scientific update: a review of recent scientific papers related to vegetarianism).Calcium recommendations for older people call for a calcium intake of 1200 milligrams daily. While cow's milk is traditionally recommended as a source of calcium, many older people may be lactose intolerant in·tol·er·ant adj. Not tolerant, especially: a. Unwilling to tolerate differences in opinions, practices, or beliefs, especially religious beliefs. b. or prefer to avoid dairy products dairy products dairy npl → produits laitier dairy products dairy npl → Milchprodukte pl, Molkereiprodukte pl for other reasons. A recent study examined whether calcium could be well absorbed from sources other than cow's milk. Twelve subjects, approximately 70 years old, were given calcium-fortified orange juice, cow's milk, or a calcium supplement containing calcium carbonate calcium carbonate, CaCO3, white chemical compound that is the most common nonsiliceous mineral. It occurs in two crystal forms: calcite, which is hexagonal, and aragonite, which is rhombohedral. . All three forms of calcium appeared to be well-absorbed. We recognize this is a small study; however, it suggests that older people do not need to rely on cow's milk as a good source of calcium--either calcium carbonate supplements or calcium-fortified juice can be used to help meet calcium needs. Martini L, Wood RJ. 2002. Relative bioavailability bioavailability /bio·avail·a·bil·i·ty/ (bi?o-ah-val?ah-bil´i-te) the degree to which a drug or other substance becomes available to the target tissue after administration. bi·o·a·vail·a·bil·i·ty n. of calcium-rich dietary sources in the elderly. Am J Clin Nutr 76:1345-50. |
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