Calcium Nutrition Research Articles

SAT0359 Rheumatologists underestimate daily calcium intake in patients with osteoporosis

BackgroundCalcium supplements are widely used for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. However, in recent literature there is a controversy whether or not excessive calcium supplementation may be associated with...

Vitamin D and aging.

Age-related changes affect vitamin D metabolism and increase the requirement for vitamin D in the elderly. Also there is an age related decrease in calcium absorption and a higher calcium intake is needed. Increasing calcium from dietary sources may be better than supplements, and requires increasing the intake of dairy products or other and calcium-fortified foods. Evidence suggests that vitamin D and calcium nutrition can be improved in the elderly by increasing the vitamin D intake to 800 IU daily together with a total calcium intake of 1000 mg daily. This combination is a simple, inexpensive strategy that can reduce fractures in institutionalized individuals by 30%.

Fetal nutrition in lecithotrophic squamate reptiles: Toward a comprehensive model for evolution of viviparity and placentation

The primary pattern of embryonic nutrition for squamate reptiles is lecithotrophy; with few exceptions, all squamate embryos mobilize nutrients from yolk. The evolution of viviparity presents an opportunity for an additional source of embryonic nutrition through delivery of uterine secretions, or placentotrophy. This pattern of embryonic nutrition is thought to evolve through placental supplementation of lecithotrophy, followed by increasing dependence on placentotrophy. This review analyzes the relationship between reproductive mode and pattern of embryonic nutrition in three lecithotrophic viviparous species, and oviparous counterparts, for concordance with a current model for the evolution of viviparity and placentation. The assumptions of the model, that nutrients for oviparous embryos are mobilized from yolk, and that this source is not disrupted in the transition to viviparity, are supported for most nutrients. In contrast, calcium, an essential nutrient for embryonic development, is mobilized from both yolk and eggshell by oviparous embryos and reduction of eggshell calcium is correlated with viviparity. If embryonic fitness is compromised by disruption of a primary source of calcium, selection may not favor evolution of viviparity, yet viviparity has arisen independently in numerous squamate lineages. Studies of fetal nutrition in reproductively bimodal species suggest a resolution to this paradox. If uterine calcium secretion occurs during prolonged intrauterine egg retention, calcium placentotrophy evolves prior to viviparity as a replacement for eggshell calcium and embryonic nutrition will not be compromised. This hypothesis is integrated into the current model for evolution of viviparity and placentation to address the unique attributes of calcium nutrition. The sequence of events requires a shift in timing of uterine calcium secretion and the embryonic mechanism of calcium retrieval to be responsive to calcium availability. Regulation of uterine calcium secretion and the mechanism of embryonic uptake of calcium are important elements to understanding evolution of viviparity and placentation.

Effect of calcium nutrition on resistance of tomato against bacterial wilt induced by Ralstonia solanacearum

This study investigated the effect of calcium nutrition on tomato bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum and the regulation of resistance mechanisms. Plants cultured in nutrient solution with calcium concentrations of 0.5, 5.0, and 25.0 mM, were inoculated with R. solanacearum by the root dip method. Severity of disease development, Ca concentration in tomato root and shoot tissues, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration, peroxidase (POD, EC 1.11.1.7) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO, EC 1.10.3.2) in tomato leaves were analyzed. Disease severities of low, medium and high Ca treatments were 100 %, 77.1 % and 56.8 % respectively. Plant growth in high Ca treatment was significantly better than those in low Ca treatment in height, stem diameter and biomass. Tomato plants absorbed significantly more Ca in roots and shoots as the level of Ca in the nutrient solution increased. In addition, H2O2 level in high Ca treatment rose faster and reached a higher peak with 10.86 μM gFW−1(31.32 % greater than medium Ca plants). The activities of POD and PPO also have a greater increase in high Ca treatment with 99.09 U gFW−1 and 107.24 U gFW−1 compared to 40.70 U gFW−1 and 77.45 U gFW−1 in low Ca treatment. A negative correlation was found between Ca concentration, level of H2O2, POD, PPO in tomato, and disease severity, indicating that they played an important role in resistance of tomato to this disease. These results suggested that Ca was involved in the regulation of H2O2 concentration, and activity of POD and PPO in tomato.

Calcium turnover and nutrition through the life cycle.

Ca nutritional requirements and bone Ca turnover can be assessed using numerous techniques. Among these techniques are bone mass measurements, tracer kinetic studies, bone histomorphometry and biochemical studies. Stable-isotope-based kinetic studies offer unique advantages in their ability to assess both Ca absorption and turnover. This approach is safe and readily applicable to subjects of all ages. Ca is essential for growth and maintenance of bone mineral throughout life. During pregnancy, increased intestinal absorption of Ca by the mother provides much of the Ca supplied to the fetus. During infancy, Ca supplied in human milk is primarily derived from maternal bone stores, which are quickly replenished during and after weaning. Early childhood is a time of relatively slow bone growth, with a rapid increase occurring during puberty. Recent kinetic studies demonstrate an increase in both Ca absorption and bone Ca deposition associated with early puberty. Bone Ca deposition reaches a maximum in females shortly before menarche. At that time the bone Ca deposition rate is approximately five times that of adulthood. The decline in bone Ca deposition rate is gradual after menarche. Ca absorption from the diet shows a gradual decline in adulthood as well. Ca supplementation, in the presence of adequate vitamin D, is effective in enhancing bone mineral content in childhood and in helping to maintain bone mineral content in adults. Maintaining adequate Ca nutriture throughout life may be necessary to minimize the risk of bone-loss disorders.

Calcium mineral nutrition increases the tolerance of Quercus ilex to Phytophthora root disease affecting oak rangeland ecosystems in Spain

Root rot caused by the soil-borne pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi is leading to significant oak tree mortality in rangeland ecosystems in south western Spain. Susceptibility to P. cinnamomi infections of Q. ilex seedlings with a standard nutrition, deficient in K+, and deficient in Ca2+, was tested. Oaks deficient in K+ showed high values in Ca2+ content and were tolerant to the disease. Nutritional deficiency in Ca2+, however, did not lead to a higher K+ level in plants and induced poorer root development. In addition, K+ plant content does not appear to have any effect on pathogen tolerance. Based on these results, we conclude that satisfactory calcium nutrition may confer Holm oaks with a greater tolerance to root disease caused by P. cinnamomi. For this reason, limestone supplements are recommended as a measure against root rot caused by P. cinnamomi in rangelands in southern Spain, as a good option for control of oak root disease.

Kalzium und Vitamin D in Therapie und Prävention der Osteoporose - aktuelle Widersprüche

Calcium lowers the fracture risk when given together with vitamin D. In many patients the Calcium intake is lower than the recommended amount, because the mean value reported in several studies corresponds just to the recommended intake, which means that half of the population is below. The American Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends 1200 mg per day. But 1000 mg should be enough in the presence of vitamin D sufficieny, particularly because 800 mg are the lowest limit for avoiding bone loss. In general, higher doses are harmless. When the Calcium intake ca not be increased by nutrition, supplements are indicated. It is not proven that they increase the cardiovascular risk, which anyway was not reported in the combination with vitamin D, neither with nutritional Calcium. Therefore, Calcium hast to be prescribed in the treatment of osteoporosis, after meal. Vitamin D too is deficient in most of the patients with osteoporosis, especially in advanced age, and should be prescribed together with Calcium, because it hardly can be delivered by food. Although there is no toxicity up to 10'000 IU par day, the IOM proposes only 600 IU per day, and by that neglects the fact that this dose hardly leads to a blood level of 25-OH vitamin D which goes along with lower fracture risk, and wich leaves a large part of the patients vitamin D deficient, unfit for optimal reaction to treatment. Swiss, German and American specialists too recommend 800 - 2000 IU per day.

Vitamin D insufficiency and chronic diseases: Hype and reality

In recent years an increasing number of observational studies have suggested that a low vitamin D status contributes to the development of all sorts of chronic diseases. In reality, however, studies that had been adequately controlled for confounding factors ruled out any link between vitamin D insufficiency and, for example, metabolic disorders, arterial hypertension, multiple sclerosis or cognitive dysfunction. Furthermore, a role of vitamin D insufficiency in autoimmune diseases is evident only in animal models but has not yet been established in humans. In respect to many malignancies, vitamin D insufficiency is only one out of many risk factors and its specific impact on disease incidence has never been assessed. There is convincing evidence, however, that vitamin D insufficiency is a major risk factor for osteoporosis, colorectal and breast cancer as well as for cardiovascular disease and mortality. However, it is debatable that circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations of 100-150 nmol l(-1) are required for optimal health outcomes. These are overestimates which would afford to raise vitamin D intake to 4000 IU day(-1). In reality, high doses of vitamin D can cause serious health problems because of the U-shaped dose-response relationships that exist in some cases. Data from large cohort studies clearly indicate that serum 25-(OH)D concentrations around 50 nmol l(-1) are sufficient to minimize the risk of osteoporotic fractures, colorectal and breast cancer, and cardiovascular mortality. The fact that the risk-reducing potential of vitamin D depends on adequate calcium nutrition is widely ignored. I here summarize the evidence that efficient disease prevention does not require intake of more vitamin D and calcium than currently recommended for maintaining optimal bone health.

Effect of Magnesium Nutrition of Onion (Allium cepa L.). Part I. Yielding and Nutrient Status

Effect of Magnesium Nutrition of Onion (Allium cepaL.). Part I. Yielding and Nutrient StatusMagnesium (Mg) serves specific physiological functions in plants, as it participates in 250÷400 processes and may not be replaced by other elements, even those exhibiting similar physicochemical properties, such as Co2+, Mn2+or Ni2+. The aim of the conducted studies was to optimize magnesium nutrition of onion (Allium cepaL.), through the evaluation of yielding of plants, and to determine its effect on contents of the following elements in leaves and bulbs: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg). Magnesium was applied in the quick-acting form, MgSO4·7H2O, based on the chemical analyses of soil, in doses corresponding to 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg Mg·dm-3soil. The other nutrients were supplemented to standard levels recommended for the cultivation of onion, amounting to (in mg·dm-3soil) 150 N, 80 P and 200 K. Magnesium nutrition was found to have a positive effect on yielding of onion and its quality. Significantly the highest total yield (4.85 kg·m-2) and merchantable yield (4.78 kg·m-2) were obtained when applying Mg-100, which amounted to an increase by 38% and 45% in comparison with the control combination. Plant nutrition with magnesium in case of leaves significantly affected an improvement of their nutrient status for nitrogen, deterioration of calcium nutrition, while in case of leaves and bulbs that of potassium. Analyzed levels of magnesium nutrition had a significant effect on nutrient status of leaves and bulbs for this nutrient. Leaves accumulated more nitrogen, potassium, calcium and magnesium than bulbs. Controlled magnesium nutrition of plants is an effective method of biofortification of onion with this nutrient.

Effect of Calcium Nutrient on Calcium Distribution and Ultrastructure of Cell and Chloroplast in Bunching Onion Leaf

Effect of calcium nutrient on calcium distribution and ultrastructure of cell and chloroplast in Bunching Onion (Allium fistulosum L. var. caespitosum Makino) leaf was studied in sands with 4 Ca2+ treatments (0, 40, 80 and 160 mg/L ), in which the solution was Hoagland's. Localization and distribution of calcSuperscript textium and the influence of calcium nutrition on cell ultrastructure were observed by transmission electron microscopy combined with in situ precipitation of calcium with potassium pyroantimonate technique. The results showed that Ca2+ were mainly located in cell membrane, vacuoles, envelope of chloroplast and intercellular space in normal cells of bunching onion, however, Ca2+ was found to compartment in cytosol in large quantity, and the release of membrane-associated Ca2+ to cytosol and wall-associated Ca2+ to the intercellular spaces was observed in Ca-deficient leaves. In serious Ca-deficient leaves, Ca2+ quantities in cell decreased. Under Ca-deficiency, chloroplast membranes, plasma membranes and nuclear membranes were damaged, and cell walls disassociated, an enlarged space could be found between cells. In serious Ca-deficient leaves, cell compartmentation was destroyed, chloroplast deformed, plasma separated from cell wall, then whole cell constricted.

Desempenho de frangos de corte alimentados com rações contendo diferentes níveis de cálcio suplementadas com fitase

Um experimento foi conduzido para avaliar o efeito de rações contendo diferentes níveis de cálcio e suplementadas com fitase sobre o desempenho de frangos de corte nas fases inicial (1 a 21 dias), de crescimento (22 a 35 dias) e final (36 a 42 dias). Foram utilizados 2.160 pintos de corte machos da linhagem AG Ross 308, de 1 a 42 dias de idade, distribuídos em 6 tratamentos, cada um com 6 repetições. Foi utilizado um delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 3 × 2, com 3 níveis de fitase (0, 600 e 1.200 ftu/kg) e 2 de cálcio (0,94 e 0,66%; 0,84 e 0,59%; e 0,78 e 0,54% para as fases inicial, de crescimento e final, respectivamente). As rações experimentais ainda tinham níveis reduzidos de fósforo disponível e níveis mínimos de proteína bruta. Ao final de cada fase, avaliaram-se o ganho de peso, o consumo de ração, a conversão alimentar e a mortalidade. Houve interação entre os níveis de fitase e de cálcio estudados para ganho de peso, consumo de ração e mortalidade nas três fases avaliadas. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos com a suplementação de fitase no nível de 1.200 ftu/kg de ração em associação aos menores níveis de cálcio. Nenhum resultado significativo foi observado para conversão alimentar. Os níveis nutricionais de cálcio podem ser reduzidos em 30% em dietas com baixos níveis de fósforo disponível e níveis mínimos de proteína bruta, desde que as dietas sejam suplementadas com 1.200 ftu/kg de fitase.

Increased strontium uptake in trabecular bone of ovariectomized calcium-deficient rats treated with strontium ranelate or strontium chloride

Based on clinical trials showing the efficacy to reduce vertebral and non-vertebral fractures, strontium ranelate (SrR) has been approved in several countries for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Hence, it is of special clinical interest to elucidate how the Sr uptake is influenced by dietary Ca deficiency as well as by the formula of Sr administration, SrR versus strontium chloride (SrCl(2)). Three-month-old ovariectomized rats were treated for 90 days with doses of 25 mg kg(-1) d(-1) and 150 mg kg(-1) d(-1) of SrR or SrCl(2) at low (0.1% Ca) or normal (1.19% Ca) Ca diet. Vertebral bone tissue was analysed by confocal synchrotron-radiation-induced micro X-ray fluorescence and by backscattered electron imaging. Principal component analysis and k-means clustering of the acquired elemental maps of Ca and Sr revealed that the newly formed bone exhibited the highest Sr fractions and that low Ca diet increased the Sr uptake by a factor of three to four. Furthermore, Sr uptake in bone of the SrCl(2)-treated animals was generally lower compared with SrR. The study clearly shows that inadequate nutritional calcium intake significantly increases uptake of Sr in serum as well as in trabecular bone matrix. This indicates that nutritional calcium intake as well as serum Ca levels are important regulators of any Sr treatment.

Bone mass accrual during infancy

Bone mass during infantile period relates closely to adult bone mass and small bone mass in infancy has been thought as one of the risk factors for osteoporosis. Although bone mass accrual during infantile period is determined by perinatal condition, nutrition and endocrine factors, among these factors, infant growth at third trimester of pregnancy is important to determine life-long bone health. For nutritional factors, vitamin D and calcium are important. The effects of estrogen on infant bone are also discussed.

Implications of calcium nutrition on the response of Caesalpinia crista (Fabaceae) to soil salinity

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to assess the effects of supplemental calcium in salinised soil on the response of germination and seedling growth of Caesalpinia crista, L. (Fabaceae). NaCl and CaSO 4·2H 2O were added to the soil and 0:0, !:0, 1:0.25, 1:0.50, 1:0.75, 1:1, 1:1.25, and 1:1.50 Na/Ca ratios were maintained. Salinity significantly retarded the seed germination and seedling growth, but the injurious effects of NaCl on seed germination were ameliorated and seedling growth was restored with calcium supply at the critical level (1:0.50 Na/Ca ratio) to salinised soil. Calcium supply above the critical level further retarded the seed germination and seedling growth due to the increased soil salinity. Salt stress reduced N, P, K and Ca content in plant tissues, but these nutrients were restored by addition of calcium at the critical level to saline soil. The opposite was true for Na +. The results are discussed in terms of the beneficial effects of calcium supply on the seedling growth of C. crista grown under saline conditions.

Níveis nutricionais de cálcio para aves de corte ISA Label criadas sob semiconfinamento

Determinaram-se os níveis nutricionais de cálcio (Ca) para aves, machos e fêmeas, da linhagem ISA Label, nas fases inicial (um a 28 dias), crescimento (28 a 56 dias) e final (56 a 84 dias). Foram realizados três ensaios, um para cada fase, e, em cada ensaio, 480 aves com idade correspondente à fase de criação foram alojadas em 24 unidades experimentais com áreas de abrigo e de pastejo. Foi utilizado delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 4x2 (Ca e sexo), totalizando oito tratamentos com três repetiç ões de 20 aves. Avaliaram-se: ganho de peso (GP); consumo de dieta (CD); conversão alimentar (CA); teores de fósforo (PT), de cálcio (CaT) e de cinzas na tíbia (CT) e resistência à quebra óssea (RQO). Na fase inicial, recomenda-se 1,16% de Ca na dieta, para aves de ambos os sexos, na fase de crescimento, 0,78 e 0,88% de Ca para machos e fêmeas, respectivamente, e, na fase final, 0,69% de Ca na dieta para ambos os sexos.

Vitamins and minerals for women: recent programs and intervention trials.

Women's nutrition has received little attention in nutrition programming, even though clinical trials and intervention trials have suggested that dietary improvement or supplementation with several nutrients may improve their health, especially in low-income settings, the main focus of this paper. Most attention so far has focused on how improvements in maternal nutrition can improve health outcomes for infants and young children. Adequate vitamin D and calcium nutrition throughout life may reduce the risk of osteoporosis, and calcium supplementation during pregnancy may reduce preeclampsia and low birth weight. To reduce neural tube defects, additional folic acid and possibly vitamin B12 need to be provided to non-deficient women before they know they are pregnant. This is best achieved by fortifying a staple food. It is unclear whether maternal vitamin A supplementation will lead to improved health outcomes for mother or child. Iron, iodine and zinc supplementation are widely needed for deficient women. Multimicronutrient supplementation (MMS) in place of the more common iron-folate supplements given in pregnancy in low-income countries may slightly increase birth weight, but its impact on neonatal mortality and other outcomes is unclear. More sustainable alternative approaches deserve greater research attention.

Adequate calcium nutrition and quality of egg shell and bones in layers: Innovative approach

Calcium metabolism (Ca) in layers depends on many factors which can be divided into factors influencing the intake, absorption, retention and/or excretion of Ca. Varying of any of above mentioned factors presented and reviewed in this study, exhibit their impact on quality of bones in layers and egg shell quality. For the purpose of maintaining of the egg quality and quality of layer hens? bones, the influence of mentioned factors on production should be taken into consideration in the practice, and on that basis not only the proper diet Ca level determined, but also adequate source and size of Ca particles, as well as mutual balance with other nutrients in the diet, primarily phosphorus, vitamin D and some micro elements. Recent studies have the direction of finding the more complex approach to solving of the issues of egg shell quality, also bone quality and ensuring adequate nutrition for modern layer hybrids.

Improving Potato Tuber Quality and Production by Targeted Calcium Nutrition: the Discovery of Tuber Roots Leading to a New Concept in Potato Nutrition

Calcium plays a major role in plant growth and development and in the maintenance and modulation of various cell functions, especially related to membrane structure and function and to cell wall structure. Calcium stabilizes cell membranes by bridging polar head groups of phospholipids at the membrane surface. Calcium is also an integral part of the cell wall where it provides stable intra-molecular linkages between pectin molecules, resulting in cell wall rigidity. A change in the cytosolic calcium concentration is also known to provide a cellular signal that regulates metabolism and mediates plant responses to stresses.

Physiopathology of Dental Rickets in Vitamin D Receptor-ablated Mice

1α25(OH)2vitaminD3 and its nuclear receptor, VDR, are essential for normal tooth development. However, the relative contributions of the direct vs. indirect effects of vitamin D action on odontogenesis are unclear. The aim of this study was to discriminate among the specific roles of 1α25(OH)2 vitaminD3, calcemia/phosphatemia, and the maternal environment in mouse VDR null mutants. Microradiographic, histological, and molecular analyses were conducted on adult mice under hypocalcemic/hypophosphatemic vs. normocalcemic/normophosphatemic conditions, and pups of first- (VDR-/- born to VDR+/- dams) vs. second-generation (VDR-/- born to VDR-/- dams) mice. In VDR-/- mice, crown morphogenesis was affected exclusively in second-generation pups. In first-generation adult VDR-/- mice, both enamel and dentin were affected, and pathologic features of root resorption in both apical and cervical regions were observed. Nutritional calcium and phosphate normalization completely rescued the root resorption and partially rescued the dentin and enamel phenotypes (altered cell differentiation and matrix protein expression). Analysis of these data illustrates the co-existence of different pathways of vitamin D action in tooth differentiation and biomineralization. These targeted and cumulative effects would generate the diverse and wide spectrum of dental rickets phenotypes.

Calcium: A Nutrient Deserving a Special Issue

Interest in calcium has continued since the 1980s when its role in promoting bone growth and retention was established in clinical trials of children and postmenopausal women. The human nutrition functions now attributed to calcium have expanded beyond bone health to include other conditions such as body weight maintenance. While most efforts have been focused on the findings that dietary intakes are low, there are emerging data on safety concerns of excess amounts. This Special Issue on calcium nutrition, spanning the lifecycle from critically ill neonates through to older adults, has been written by some of the leading researchers in this field.