Effect of age on calcium absorption in postmenopausal women

© 2004 American Society for Clinical NutritionBackgroundIt is assumed that calcium absorption decreases with age, but this is not well documented. We report a study that addresses this issue.ObjectiveThe aim was to establish the extent and timing of any age-related change in calcium absorption in postmenopausal women.DesignWe measured radiocalcium absorption (alpha) in 262 healthy postmenopausal women aged 40-87 y. We also measured the serum vitamin D metabolites, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and other biochemical variables.ResultsRadiocalcium absorption decreased with age (P = 0.018); it was 28% lower in the 25 women aged >75 y than in the rest (P ConclusionsA late age-related decrease in calcium absorption is seen in postmenopausal women in addition to the decline that occurs at menopause. This decrease could be due to a decline in either the active calcium transport or diffusion component of the calcium absorption system.BE Christopher Nordin, Allan G Need, Howard A Morris, Peter D O’Loughlin, and Michael Horowit