Calcium Supplementation Benefits Childhood Bone Growth.

Calcium supplementation during childhood and adolescence increases bone mineral density (BMD) in females, according to a study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (81, 1:175-188, 2005). This four-year, randomized clinical trial evaluated 354 pre through post-pubescent female subjects. The study was optionally extended by three years. The mean dietary calcium intake of the study subjects over seven years was approximately 830 mg/day and calcium-supplemented subjects received an additional 670 mg/day.  

Researchers assessed the distal and proximal radius BMD, total-body BMD (TBBMD), and metacarpal cortical indexes. After four years, all indicators were significantly greater in the group administered supplemental calcium than in the placebo group. However, at the seven-year endpoint, this effect had vanished for TBBMD and distal radius BMD.  

Calcium supplementation significantly increased TBBMD and proximal radius BMD during the pubertal growth spurt. Researchers found that the effect of calcium supplementation was partly dependent on the size of the body frame. For example, by young adulthood, significant benefit of supplementation remained at the metacarpals and at the forearm of tall subjects, indicating calcium requirements for growth are associated with skeletal size. 

The researchers concluded calcium supplementation significantly influenced bone density accumulation in young females during the pubertal growth spurt and noted these results may be important for both primary prevention of osteoporosis and prevention of bone fragility fractures during growth. 

Bio-Design Cal-Mag Liquid Emulsion is a mint flavored liquid emulsion of which provides 1,200 mg per two tablespoons of calcium, with a combination of magnesium, vitamin D3 and vitamin K.