Calcium and bone health: Whats the connection?
The dairy industry tirelessly advances the notion that their calcium-rich foods are veritable guarantors of unbreakable bones. Problem is, there is scant support for this assertion in the medical literature. There is no clear scientific evidence that high calcium intakes alone– even the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of 800 mgs– can ensure bone health.”It might surprise you to know that throughout the world people who consume the most calcium actually have the poorest bone health,” say the Messinas. “The idea that dosing yourself with calcium will automatically keep your bones in good shape is just plain wrong.”Indeed, researchers have found that nations with the greatest calcium intake have the highest rates of osteoporosis and hip fracture, and that there are relatively few fractures among populations where calcium levels are not so high. After studying bone fracture rates worldwide, researcher JA Kanis concluded that the differences in fracture rates, “cannot be accounted for
