The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism
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J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. · Feb 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEffects of calcium supplementation on calcium homeostasis and bone turnover in lactating women.
Lactation is a time of calcium flux, because women secrete approximately 210 mg calcium/day in breast milk, and they experience a transient bone loss. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of calcium supplementation on adaptive responses in calcium homeostasis during lactation and after weaning. Two cohorts of women participated in a 6-month randomized calcium supplementation trial. ⋯ At 6 months, the calciuric response to calcium supplementation was less in lactating (compared with nonlactating) women (P = 0.06). Biomarkers of bone turnover were higher in lactating than in nonlactating women during lactation and after weaning but were not effected by calcium supplementation. Calcium supplementation has little effect on lactation-induced changes in the calcium economy.