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Calcium requirements for the athlete

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Current Sports Medicine Reports

Abstract

There is oftentimes a notion of "the more, the better" with regard to vitamin and mineral intake among individuals, and especially among athletes. Although adequate calcium intake is necessary to promote bone health and prevent osteoporosis, increased physical activity alone does not necessarily demand an increased intake of dietary calcium or other micronutrients. Athletes may lose calcium via sweat, in which case replenishment is advocated either via dietary intake of calcium-rich foods or a commercial calcium supplement. The important message to athletes is to consume a diet adequate in energy, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and fluids to support the physical demands and replenish the physiologic losses incurred with physical training.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, 44195, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Katherine Kunstel RD, LD, CNSD

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  1. Katherine Kunstel RD, LD, CNSD
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Kunstel, K. Calcium requirements for the athlete. Curr Sports Med Rep 4, 203–206 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11932-005-0036-2

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