In recent years, concerns over declining calcium intake in the United States have surfaced, shedding light on an alarming trend. A new study underscores the importance of addressing this issue, particularly among vulnerable demographic groups such as children, older adults, and non-Hispanic Black Americans.
Key Insights:
Trending Downward:
While there was a notable increase in calcium intake in previous years, subsequent trends have shown a steady decline. This decline is particularly concerning given the essential role of calcium in bone health. Almost all calcium in the body is stored in bones and teeth where they serve as an essential structural component. Additionally, calcium supports muscle movement and nerve transmission.1
Demographic Disparities:
Among demographic subgroups, adults aged 60y and above, as well as non-Hispanic Black Americans, consistently report the lowest dietary calcium intake. This highlights the need for targeted interventions to address disparities and ensure equitable access to essential nutrients.
Youth at Risk:
Of particular concern is the significant decrease in calcium intake observed among children aged 9 to 18 years. Adequate calcium intake during adolescence is important for achieving peak bone mass.1
Additional Insights:
Milk, yogurt, and cheese are the main food sources of calcium for most people in the United States.1 However, a large proportion of the country still has insufficient dietary calcium intake, even after including calcium derived from supplements. Overall, 61% of females and 30% of males aged 19 and above in the US do not get enough calcium from their diet.2 These trends are particularly concerning, especially considering that calcium supports bone health, muscle function, and nerve transmission.1
Given the importance of this mineral, addressing these findings is important. Whether it’s incorporating more calcium-rich foods into your diet such as salmon, kale, broccoli, milk, or yogurt, or considering calcium supplements, it’s crucial to prioritize optimizing calcium intake for overall well-being.
Discover Nutrient Solutions:
Here at Balchem, we recognize that strong muscles need strong bones and we want to support your journey towards stronger bone health and well-being.
Studies demonstrate that specialty calcium products such as Calcium Bisglycinate Chelate and Calcium Citrate Malate have improved absorption compared to standards salts such as Calcium Carbonate.3,4 Albion Calcium products are an excellent option for brands looking to provide Calcium health benefits with mineral forms that are better absorbed and perform better in applications.
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