Thinking Straight about Calcium

For the past 10 years, both scientists and the lay public have been subjected to a spate of claims and counterclaims about the value of ensuring an adequate intake of calcium throughout life. Although the role of calcium in the health of adult bone has been called controversial, it may be more accurate to say that it has been confusing. Is it possible to straighten out the apparent conflicts? A recent review identified 43 studies published since 1988 that related calcium intake to bone mass, bone loss, or bone fragility¹. Twenty-six reported that calcium intake was associated in some…