Calcium is an essential dietary mineral for the health of your bones, teeth, heart, and muscles. Do you have enough calcium in your diet? What are your needs? What supplements to choose? Find the answers here.
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You've probably heard about the importance of calcium in your diet. The human body is unable to produce calcium by itself, so a daily intake is essential. And for a good reason: a lack of calcium can cause long-term dental problems. But it’s especially important for skeletal development and keeping your bones healthy. Individuals who don’t consume enough calcium could face certain problems, such as osteoporosis, a disease characterized by weakened bones, which leads to an increased risk of fractures.
It should be noted that a lack of calcium during childhood or adolescence could prevent bones from reaching their normal bone mass in adulthood.
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Calcium requirements vary depending on factors like age and health.
As a rule, this is the recommended daily intake of calcium by age group:
| Age group | Recommended daily calcium intake |
| 4 to 8 years old | 800 mg |
| 9 to 18 years old | 1,300 mg |
| 19 to 50 years old | 1,000 mg |
| 50+ years old | 1,200 mg |
| Pregnant or breast-feeding women (18+ years old) | 1,000 mg |
The ideal is to consume a maximum of calcium-rich foods and beverages. However, we aren’t always able to meet all of our needs with a healthy diet alone. In such case, it is recommended to take calcium supplements as well. According to certain studies, the calcium contained in dairy products is the most beneficial to our bone health.
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Dietary calcium is preferred as it doesn’t cause side effects and is better absorbed by the body. Some foods are richer in calcium than others. Here are some examples:
| Food | Portion | Teneur en calcium |
| Milk | 1 cup | 300 mg |
| Yogurt | ¾ cup | 332 mg |
| Fruit yogurt | ¾ cup | 200 mg |
| Soy beverages | 1 cup | 300 mg |
| Almonds | ½ cup | 186 mg |
| Mozzarella cheese | 1¼-3 cm cube | 200 mg |
| Canned salmon with bones | ½ can | 240 mg |
| Oatmeal with calcium | 1 packet | 150 mg |
| Black beans | 1 cup | 126 mg |
| White beans | 1 cup | 120 mg |
| Chick peas | 1 cup | 77 mg |
| Broccoli | ½ cup | 74 mg |
| Green/yellow beans | ½ cup | 33 mg |
| Snow peas | ½ cup | 36 mg |
| Kiwi | 1 | 26 mg |
| Orange | 1 | 50 mg |
Note that products made with kimmed milk contain as much calcium as those made with whole milk.
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There are various calcium salts such as carbonate, citrate, lactate, or calcium gluconate. Before choosing a supplement, determine what your calcium needs are, then check the label to find the amount of elemental calcium the product contains. This number will be used in the calculation of your needs (for example, a 1,250 mg calcium carbonate supplement contains 500 mg of elemental calcium). If you also need vitamin D supplements, several supplements offer a combination of the two.
The size of the calcium tablets can also influence your choice as they are usually quite large. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, try liquid, chewable or effervescent forms. Don’t hesitate to call your pharmacist as they can help you determine your needs and choose the supplement that is right for you, if necessary.
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