What is the average daily calcium intake of Indians?

Average Calcium Intake Among Indians

The average daily calcium intake among Indians is significantly lower than recommended guidelines, with studies showing an average intake of approximately 392.6 ± 169.1 mg/day in urban North Indian adults. 1

Current Calcium Intake Status in India

• The median dietary calcium intake among urban North Indians is 391 mg/day (interquartile range: 274-518 mg/day), which is substantially below the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of 600 mg/day for Indians 1
• Only about 21.3% of urban Indians consume calcium at levels above the Indian RDA (600 mg/day) 1
• Rural populations in India typically have even lower calcium intake compared to urban populations, with significantly higher dietary phytate-to-calcium ratios that further reduce calcium bioavailability 2, 3
• Gender differences exist, with men generally having higher calcium intake compared to women in the same population 1

Regional and Demographic Variations

• Studies in South Indian populations have documented similarly low dietary calcium intake compared to recommended levels 2, 3
• Urban subjects tend to have lower serum 25(OH)D levels but higher dietary calcium intake compared to rural subjects 2
• Among children and adolescents (2-16 years), dietary patterns are predominantly cereal-pulse based, with average calcium intake at approximately 53% of the recommended levels 4
• About 30% of calcium intake in children comes from milk consumption 4

Comparison to International Guidelines

• The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends much higher calcium intake: 1000 mg/day for adults aged 19-50 years and men aged 51-70 years, and 1200 mg/day for women over 50 years and men over 70 years 5, 6
• Indian calcium intake levels are significantly lower than the average intake observed in Western populations, where men consume approximately 900-1200 mg/day and women 750-850 mg/day 5
• The gap between actual intake and recommended levels is particularly concerning for postmenopausal women and elderly individuals who require higher calcium intake 5, 6

Contributing Factors

• High consumption of phytates in the Indian diet, which bind calcium and reduce its bioavailability 2, 3
• Limited dairy consumption compared to Western populations 5, 4
• Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent (54% insufficiency and 15% deficiency) in Indian populations, further compromising calcium absorption 2, 3
• Dietary patterns in India are predominantly cereal-pulse based rather than dairy-rich 4

Clinical Implications

• Low dietary calcium intake in Indians is associated with deleterious effects on bone mineral homeostasis 2
• Serum calcium levels show a significant positive correlation with dietary calcium intake 1
• The combination of low calcium intake and vitamin D deficiency may contribute to poor bone health outcomes 2, 3
• There is a need to reconsider dietary calcium recommendations specifically for Indian populations, as they differ significantly from Western standards 7

Potential Interventions

• Promotion of increased consumption of dairy products in the Indian diet 1
• Food fortification with calcium for commonly consumed foods 1, 4
• Development of calcium-rich recipes that align with existing dietary patterns could increase calcium intake in a sustainable manner 4
• Addressing vitamin D status alongside calcium intake for optimal bone health 2, 3