Calcium in foodstuffs and beverages

Abundance

Calcium is the fifth most common element on the earth’s surface yet, due to its reactivity, appears only in chemical combinations in nature. Between 1,000 and 1,500 g of this mineral is to be found in the adult human organism, depending on body size, calcium supply and age.

Physiological importance

Of this, more than 99% is localised in the teeth and bones, for the most part in the form of calcium hydroxylapatite.

Calcium thus also functions as a signal molecule and controls the stimulation of nerves and muscles, for example. In the event of a lack of calcium, cramps are thus the result.

Calcium sources for humans

The most important source of calcium in human nutrition is milk and milk products. Rennet cheese, for example, has high calcium content, while quark or meat products hardly contain any calcium. Some types of vegetable, such as kale, or various kinds of nuts are rich in calcium, and in many cases, drinking water also plays a significant role in supply.

Availability of calcium

The availability of nutritional calcium is around 30–50% and is influenced by various factors. In the formation of complex compounds, such as oxalate (e.g. in rhubarb and spinach) as well as phytate (e.g. in bran components) reduce calcium availability; the same applies to saturated fatty acids through the formation of low-solubility calcium soaps. The excretion of calcium via the kidneys is also negatively influenced by a variety of factors. Different organic acids such as lactic acid and citric acid, and some amino acids, as well as lactose, on the other hand, improve calcium intake.

Intake recommendations and supply

The recommendations for calcium intake are staggered according to age groups and are valid for healthy persons without particular strains. Assuming an average absorption rate of 40%, the desirable calcium intake for adults is 1,000 mg/day. For people over the age of 65, a more favourable situation appears to exist at first glance, as the mean daily ingestion is slightly below the recommended intake. Nonetheless, it must be kept in mind that there is an increased calcium requirement for persons with  which is over and above that for healthy persons. The "Kuratorium Knochengesundheit" [Committee for Healthy Bones] thus advises that older women in particular have a calcium intake of 1,500 mg/d in order to avoid the risk of osteoporosis.

This intake, however, is not attained on the average; the discrepancy for children and youth is even more pronounced.

As about one-third of the men and 40% of the women between the age of 19 and 65 ingest less calcium than would be desirable, it is understandable that calcium is classified as a critical nutrient by specialist societies. It should not be forgotten that the mean daily intake involves an average value, and that the calcium ingestion of many people is thus markedly below the preferred intake recommendation.

As the recommended intake can often not be attained through a normal diet in practice, preventive supplements of calcium in physiologic dosages would seem to be preferable particularly for older people, as well as persons with low consumption of milk and milk products.

Products

For the application in food supplements we offer - among others - the following Calcium salts:

• Calcium Acetate
• Calcium Carbonate
• Calcium Citrate
• Calcium Gluconate
• Calcium Glycerophosphate
• Calcium Phosphate

Premixes and ready-to-use products are also a part of our portfolio:

Calcium-Inulin-Granulate

supplies fiber and Calcium, suitable for direct consumption [more...]

Calcium Lactate PLUS

More Calcium & enhanced solubility; for juices or drink powders [more...]

Premixes for the Calcium fortification of dairy and soy products

Stable Calcium source with good solubility for the fortification of milk and soy milk. Alternatively available as product variant for milk powder.

As well as individual premixes according to customer specification.

[Literature]

Disclaimer: The information given in the document corresponds to our current knowledge. We warrant in the frame of our General Terms and Conditions of Sale that our products are manufactured in accordance with the specifications. However, we disclaim any liability with regard to the suitability of our products for a particular purpose or application or their compatibility with other substances. Tests have to be performed by the customer who also bears the risk in this respect. Nothing herein shall be construed as a recommendation to use our products in conflict with third parties' rights.