Resumo

PALACIOS, Cristina. New aspects in the calcium nutritional requirements, proposed for Venezuela. An Venez Nutr [online]. 2007, vol.20, n.2, pp.99-107. ISSN 0798-0752.

Calcium is a key nutrient in bone health and for the prevention of osteoporosis, a serious public health problem. It is estimated that 200 million people have osteoporosis. Calcium is necessary throughout all the stages in life. In childhood, calcium is needed to avoid deficiency and establish healthy habits for the future. In adolescence, calcium is key for the development of peak bone mass, the maximum point for accumulation within the genetic potential. Failure to reach this peak significantly increases the risk of osteoporosis later in life. In the reproductive stage, calcium is still important to maintain bone mass and avoid loss. Around menopause, the rapid bone loss stage, calcium is still important to replace the lost calcium, although bone mass does not respond well to calcium supplementation. After approximately 5 years of menopause, calcium supplementation favors bone mass and moderately decreases fracture risk, as in the elderly. Calcium requirement is affected by various factors such as age, sex, physical activity, race, genetics and several dietetic factors. Therefore, establishing its requirement is not an easy task. Conventionally, three methods have been used to establish calcium requirement, factorial, balance or functional methods. Since they have their limitations, all three methods should be considered when establishing calcium requirements, as well as considering other nutrients important in bone health. Calcium recommendations vary considerably among different countries and by age group. As in other countries, calcium recommendations in Venezuela were revised and increased based on the dietary recommendations of United States. It is urgent that epidemiological and clinical studies be done in Venezuelans to determine if these levels are adequate.

Palavras-chave : Calcium; requirements; recommendations; bone health.