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Amount of Calcium Needed

Since the body's calcium needs change with age, calcium intake should be adjusted as necessary. Depending on age, an appropriate calcium intake is generally between 1000 and 1300 milligrams (mg) a day.

• Children aged 4-8 years need 800 mg/day.



• Children aged 9-18 years need 1300 mg/day.



• Adults aged 19-50 years need 1000 mg/day.



• Adults aged 51 years and older need 1200 mg/day.

Getting too much calcium is difficult. The body can absorb 2 grams (2000 mg) of calcium a day, and anything more can be excreted in the urine, although too much calcium excretion through the kidneys can result in painful kidney stones.