In 1993, the European Scientific Committee for Food set population reference intakes (PRI) for calcium in milligrams (mg) per day (39):
Age | Males: mg/day | Females: mg/day |
6–12 months | 400 | 400 |
1–3 years | 400 | 400 |
4–6 years | 450 | 450 |
7–10 years | 550 | 550 |
11–14 years | 1,000 | 800 |
15–17 years | 1,000 | 800 |
18 years and older | 700 | 700 |
Pregnant | - | 700 |
Breast-feeding | - | 1,200 |
In 2010, the U.S. Institute of Medicine established a recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for calcium (56):
Life Stage | Age | Males: (mg/day) | Females: (mg/day) |
Infants | 0–6 months | 200 | 200 |
Infants | 6–12 months | 260 | 260 |
Children | 1–3 years | 700 | 700 |
Children | 4–8 years | 1,000 | 1,000 |
Children | 9–13 years | 1,300 | 1,300 |
Adolescents | 14–18 years | 1,300 | 1,300 |
Adults | 19 - 51 years | 1,000 | 1,000 |
Adults | 51 - 70 years | 1,000 | 1,200 |
Adults | 71 years and older | 1,200 | 1,200 |
Pregnant and lactating women | 14 - 18 years | - | 1,300 |
Pregnant and lactating women | 19 - 50 years | - | 1,000 |
For a detailed overview of recommended daily intakes (PRIs/RDAs) of vitamins and minerals for adults derived from different countries and organizations see PDF.
Authored by Dr Peter Engel in 2010, reviewed and updated by Dr Igor Bendik-Falconnier on 12.10.17