Resumo

PALACIOS, Cristina. Calcium and chronic diseases: A review of the evidence. An Venez Nutr [online]. 2003, vol.16, n.2, pp.78-84. ISSN 0798-0752.

Intake of dietary calcium decreases the risk of osteoporosis, hypertension, cancer, kidney stones, and obesity. Studies have shown that calcium supplementation increases bone mass and prevents its loss, which is crucial in the prevention of osteoporosis. Likewise, studies have confirmed the impact of calcium in the regulation of blood pressure and in the prevention of colon, mammary and ovary cancer, possibly through its action on cellular division. A diet rich in calcium can also help against kidney stones by reducing oxalate absorption, and recently, it has been suggested that a diet rich in calcium can help in weight management, reducing lipogenesis and increasing lipolysis. The protective effects of calcium are seen within the levels actually recommended for the population, which are between 1000 and 1300 mg per day of dietary calcium.

Palavras-chave : Calcium; osteoporosis; hypertension; cancer; kidney stones; obesity.