Common Questions
What is the recommended daily intake of calcium?
The most recent and authoritative guidelines on dietary calcium requirements come from the 1997 Institute of Medicine National Academy of Science, Food and Nutrition Board. The following table lists a summary of the 1997 guidelines for healthy children, men, and non-lactating women.
| Population Group | Recommended Daily Intake |
|---|---|
| Children 1 to 3 years of age | 500 mg |
| Children 4 to 8 years of age | 800 mg |
| Preteens and teens 9 to 18 years of age | 1,300 mg |
| Adults 19 to 50 years | 1,000 mg |
| Adults 51 and older | 1,200 mg |
The criteria used for the recommendations take into account knowledge of age-specific bone biology and calcium absorbtion rates. A complete table of the IOM recommendations by age group can be viewed here.