Calcium is an essential nutrient for the health of bones and teeth. Calcium also plays a role in vascular contraction, muscle function and other critical metabolic functions. People who eat dairy products and plenty of leafy green vegetables probably get all the calcium they need from their diets. Deficiencies are more common in the elderly and growing teens. Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium. People who don't spend enough time outdoors might not get enough sunlight and could end up with a calcium deficiency.
Women
Adult women between 19 and 50 years of age need 1,000 mg of calcium a day. The amounts remain the same for pregnant and lactating women who fall into that age group. Women over 50 years old need 1,200 mg a day.
Men
Men between 19 and 70 years of age need 1,000 mg of calcium per day. However, those over 71 years of age need 1,200 mg. Teens and preteens ages 9 to 18 need 1,300 mg, no matter their gender.
Children
The Office of Dietary Supplements, along with the FDA, does not have a recommended dosage of calcium for children under 1 year old. Infants have something known as adequate intake. The AI is 200 mg for children under 6 months and 260 mg for children 6 to 12 months. Children between 1 and 3 years need 700 mg, while kids between 4 and 8 need 1,000 mg.
People with Deficiencies
Low calcium intake in the diet can cause calcium deficiency. Certain medications and medical conditions, such as kidney failure, can also result in low calcium. People with severe hypocalcemia, or calcium deficiency, might need intravenous supplementation of calcium gluconate. Calcium carbonate and calcium citrate are the two most common forms of oral supplements. Your doctor will decide which form of calcium is the best one for you and what amounts you need to take.
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