4.2.4 Calcium

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Bottle, jug and glass of milk

Calcium provides rigid cross-links within the bone tissue and most of the body’s store of calcium is found within the skeleton. Calcium is also vital to many cellular functions and if necessary the body will draw on the bone stores of calcium to keep blood levels in the normal range. So a diet low in calcium can compromise bone health.

The ROS leaflet in Section 4.2.2 gives useful advice about ensuring adequate dietary calcium. People can also use a ‘calcium calculator’ [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] online to estimate their personal intake. Where diet is not providing enough calcium, supplementation can be provided, usually in combination with vitamin D3, and such treatments come in many formats (see above).

All the pharmacological treatments for bone health described below were trialled in combination with calcium and vitamin D supplementation. As such, it is usual to co-prescribe these unless there is demonstrably adequate calcium and vitamin D intake.