Effect of Dietary Calcium Intake on Bone Mineral Density in Elderly South Indian Men

Background and Objective: There is a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and associated osteoporosis in south Indian men despite abundant sunlight. Here we present a study on the effect of dietary calcium on bone mineral density in elderly men. Methods: This study was done as a part of an original study on the prevalence of osteoporosis and vitamin D deficiency. One hundred twenty elderly men were included. The dietary calcium intake was determined by a trained dietician. Quantitative and qualitative aspects of food intake were accessed and the Published data on Indian food was used to estimate dietary calcium intake. Phytate to calcium ratio was calculated. Bone mineral density (BMD) was done for all the subjects in the lumbar spine, hip and forearm. We also studied sunlight exposure pattern and its effect on vitamin D level. Results: The Mean calcium intake of the study population was 455 mg/day which was lower than recommended dietary value. There was a significant positive correlation between calcium intake and BMD at all three sites. The mean phytate to calcium ratio was 1.0643. Phytate to calcium ratio was negatively associated with hip and lumbar spine BMD. The mean vitamin D level was 20.4 ng/dl and the mean BMI (Body mass index) was 23.3 kg/m². Conclusion: The calcium intake in south Indian elderly men was lower than the recommended allowance and there was a positive correlation between calcium intake and bone mineral density.