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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What is the recommended calcium intake for teenage girls?

    Related Topic
    Osteoporosis & Bone Health
    How can I help my daughter reach her peak bone mass?
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    Catherine Voutier

    Health Professional

    Clinical Librarian at Melbourne Health. Part of my portfolio is to teach consumers how to find and assess medical evidence. View Profile

    The Victorian BetterHealthChannel  consumer health website entry on calcium includes a table of recommended intake for all ages. From this table, the recommended level for adolescents 12-18 of both sexes is 1300mg. This page also lists good sources of dietary calcium, which is the best way to maintain calcium levels in the body. The main sources are dairy foods and green leafy vegetables. Click here to go to the BetterHealthChannel Calcium page.

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    Kimberley Davis

    Dietitian

    Good Nutrition for Life is a private dietetic practice based in Cleveland, Queensland and is owned by Kimberley Davis who is an Accredited Practising Dietitian. … View Profile

    That is correct, the National Health and Medical Council (NHMRC) Nutrient Reference Values state that teenage girls and boys aged 12-18 years require 1300mg of calcium per day. It is important that this is met each day as the body requires this quantity for daily functioning and storage. If this requirement is not met, the body will use its calcium stores (take calcium from the bones) for daily processing. Teenage girls require 3 and a half serves of dairy everyday. A serve of dairy equates to: 250mL low fat milk (~250mg calcium) or 200g low fat yoghurt (~300mg calcium) or 1/2 cup low fat custard or 1/2 cup ricotta cheese or 40g (2 slices) low fat hard cheese (~450mg calcium). Calcium is also found in other foods including salmon (with bones), almonds, green leafy vegetables and a smaller amount in beans. Staying active is important as bone strength depends on weight bearing exercise e.g. walking, jogging, tennis or dancing. Calcium absorption is also maximised by Vitamin D which can be obtained from sunlight. Depending which part of Australia you live in, approximately 10 minutes a day is all you need for adequate Vitamin D. A high caffeine and/or salt intake may cause calcium to be lost from the body in urine and decrease absorption. Visit http://www.nrv.gov.au/nutrients/calcium.htm if you require more information. Kimberley Davis www.goodnutritionforlife.com.au

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