1994 Volume 11 Pages 139-143
The calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium status of elderly people was studied on 23 healthy men (74.1±2.9 years old ; mean±SD) and 16 healthy women (71.9±2.5 years old) living in Kyoto. We carried out balance studies and dietary surveys by the weighing method for three consecutive days. The mean daily intakes of energy and nutrients fulfilled the recommended dietary allowance for Japanese of their sex, age, weight, and degree of physical activity except for women’s iron. The apparent absorption rates of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium were negatively correlated with fecal dry weight, except for magnesium in women. Women’s absorption rate of calcium (2±38%) was lower that men’s (23±30%). The mean calcium balance was approximately at equilibrium (-0.6±3.0mg/kg) for men and negative (-1.8±4.1mg/kg) for women. The apparent absorption rate of phosphorus was about 60 % , and phosphorus was approximately balanced in both sexes. The apparent absorption rate of magnesium was about 15 % in both sexes. The calcium balance was negatively correlated with the fecal dry weight.
