How much calcium do I need?
Depending on your age, sex, and stage of life, you may require different amounts of calcium. The Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) of the Institute of Medicine suggests the following calcium intakes each day:
- Children 1-3 years of age: 700 mg daily
- Kids aged 4 to 8: 1,000 mg per day
- Males 9 to 18 years of age: 1,300 mg daily
- Women aged 9 to 18: 1,300 mg daily
Adults aged 19 to 50 should take 1,000 mg daily.
- Males 51 and older: 1,000 mg daily
- Females 51 years and older: 1,200 mg/day
Women who are pregnant or nursing require more calcium than other adults. The FNB suggests that women who are pregnant or nursing consume the following amounts of calcium each day:
- 1,000 mg/day for pregnant women 18 to 50 years of age.
- Lactating females 18 to 50 years of age: 1,000 mg daily