Researchers describe calcium and phosphorus codependence in bone development.(Brief Article)

2002 APR 11 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Healthy bones and soft tissues need both calcium and phosphorus to grow and develop throughout life. Research presented at the National Osteoporosis Foundation Fifth International Symposium March 9, 2002 showed for the first time that the nutrients are codependent in the health benefits associated with calcium in humans undergoing bone-building therapy.

"The best way to help our patients meet their needs is to use a source that provides both calcium and phosphorus, such as dairy products and/or a calcium phosphate supplement," said Dr. Robert P. Heaney of Creighton University. He was joined at the symposium by Dr. Ralph Shapiro of Product Safety Laboratories (Dayton, New Jersey) and Dr. John J.B. Anderson of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

"Women undergoing treatment for osteoporosis today typically are taking calcium supplements in amounts providing 1000-1500 mg of calcium per day," said Heaney. "Data shows that, in addition to providing the extra calcium a patient usually needs to slow bone loss or to support treatment-induced bone gain, this amount of calcium can bind up to 500 mg of phosphorus.

"Although this would present no serious problem for many people, it could impact women over 60 years of age who have diets that contain less than the National Academy of Sciences recommended daily allowance of 700 mg of phosphorus," Heaney continued. "For these women, the usual calcium supplement, calcium carbonate, may block most of the absorption of phosphorus. If this happens, the calcium won't do much good because bone mineral consists of both calcium and phosphorus."

Shapiro and Heaney recently completed a detailed study on the codependence of calcium and phosphorus on growth and bone development. The research could affect the formulation of many multivitamin and calcium supplement products available to consumers. It is estimated ...