Question
Do men need to take calcium supplements?
Answer
Men can benefit from calcium supplements. Although osteoporosis is less common in men than in women, men do lose bone density as they age. After age 65, the rate of decline in men is the same as in women. By age 75, one-third of men have osteoporosis.
Calcium and vitamin D are essential for building bone mass when you're young and for preventing bone loss as you age. Calcium and vitamin D supplements reduce the risk of hip and spine fractures.
| Calcium: How much should men get each day? |
| Age in years | Daily recommendation for calcium |
| 49 or younger | 1,000 milligrams (mg) |
| 50 or older | 1,200 mg |
| Vitamin D: How much should men get each day? |
| Age in years | Daily recommendation for Vitamin D |
| 49 or younger | 200 international units (IU) |
| 50 to 70 | 400 IU |
| 71 or older | 600 IU |
If you don't get the recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D in your regular diet, check with your doctor about taking calcium and vitamin D supplements.
Last Updated: 12/29/2004
