When it comes to bone health, you might often hear the advice to “get your calcium levels checked.” However, a blood test for calcium levels doesn’t provide much insight into your dietary calcium intake. This is because 99% of our calcium is stored in our bones, with less than 1% circulating in our blood.
The Role of Calcium
Calcium is crucial for muscle and nerve function, so our body has several mechanisms to maintain blood calcium levels within a specific range (2.10-2.60 mmol/L). If dietary calcium intake is insufficient, the body will draw calcium from the bones to keep blood levels stable, a process regulated by parathyroid hormone (PTH).
Assessing Calcium Intake
There isn’t a straightforward test to determine if you’re consuming enough calcium. The best approach is to calculate your dietary intake, with general guidelines recommending 1000 mg per day. For example, I know I don’t get 1000 mg of calcium daily (thanks to unfortified soy milk!), so I take a low-dose supplement. Dietary calcium is particularly important for building peak bone density during our teens and 20s and for maintaining bone mass as we age.
Diagnostic Tests for Osteoporosis
When investigating the causes of osteoporosis, some tests can help determine if low dietary calcium is a factor. A PTH test can indicate if your body is trying to increase calcium absorption from your gut and bones. Additionally, a 24-hour urine calcium excretion test can show if your body is retaining calcium, suggesting insufficient dietary intake.
Practical Advice
For most people, calculating dietary intake is the best way to ensure adequate calcium consumption. Calcium can be found in a variety of animal and plant-based foods. And yes, sometimes the doctor might just prescribe cheesecake for good health! 🥰