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Calcium absorption in man: Some dosing recommendations

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Abstract

The absorption of calcium involves a saturable (active) and a nonsaturable (passive) component. The work of several investigators indicates that an inverse relationship exists between calcium intake and absorption efficiency. Human calcium absorption data from the literature were analyzed using a model which included both an active and a passive absorption component. Simulations were provided to illustrate the suitability of this model, and another previously reported model, to fit the data and to estimate the absorption efficiency of calcium when using different dosing regimens. Comparisons of the values predicted in this study with some literature values are provided and some assumptions and potential limitations associated with the use of this method are discussed. The division of the daily dose into equal increments taken at equally spaced intervals over the course of the day is recommended as a useful procedure for increasing the absorption efficiency and efficacy of calcium.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, 85721, Tucson, Arizona

    James Blanchard

  2. Nestlé Research Centre, Nestec Ltd., P.O. Box 353, CH-1800, Vevey, Switzerland

    Jean-Marc Aeschlimann

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  1. James Blanchard
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  2. Jean-Marc Aeschlimann
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The receipt of a Gustavus A. Pfeiffer Memorial Fellowship is gratefully acknowledged.

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Blanchard, J., Aeschlimann, JM. Calcium absorption in man: Some dosing recommendations. Journal of Pharmacokinetics and Biopharmaceutics 17, 631–644 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01062122

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01062122

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