Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation
It plays an important role in:1,3
- Bone and tooth formation and maintenance
- Nerve-to-nerve communication
- Normal muscle function, energy metabolism, digestive function and blood clotting
- Cell division and specialization
Analysis shows that average daily calcium intake in South Africa is low, averaging 400 – 500 mg per day.4
The National Osteoporosis Foundation of South Africa (NOFSA) recommends a daily calcium intake of > 1000 mg per day for adults over the age of 25.5
Vitamin D
Vitamin D assists in the absorption and regulation of calcium blood levels in the body, which is why it is important for maintaining bone-calcium levels.1
Without enough vitamin D, less than 15% of the calcium found in food or supplements is absorbed.1
Most vitamin D3 is obtained via skin synthesis when the skin is exposed to sunlight and it can also be found in some foods.1,2,6 Factors like a prolonged winter, blocking the skin from UV sunlight rays or spending too much time indoors can lower vitamin D levels.6
The need for calcium increases during growth periods, while the ability to absorb it decreases with age and menopause.1,2 Calcium is also lost on a daily basis, mainly through excretion but also via other body tissues and fluids such as sweat.2
Signs of mild calcium deficiency may include nerve sensitivity, muscle twitching, thin and breakable nails, irritability, palpitations and difficulty sleeping.7
Vitamin D deficiency is often not obvious, but some signs and symptoms may include mood changes, bone and joint pain, loss of bone density, muscle weakness or cramps and fatigue.8
Combined with regular exercise and a healthy diet, calcium and vitamin D may help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.3,9
UC Davis Library. 11.4: Micronutrients Essential for Bone Health – Calcium and Vitamin D [Online]. Medicine LibreTexts™. 2011. Cited 6 Jun 2021. Available from: https://med.libretexts.org
Institute of Medicine (US) Committee to Review Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin D and Calcium [Online]. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D. (Ross AC, Taylor CL, Yaktine AL, et al, eds.). National Academies Press (US); 2011. Cited 22 Jun 2021. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK56070/
Sandoz SA (Pty) Ltd. Professional Information. 21 Apr 2021
Balk EM, Adam GP, Langberg VN, et al. International Osteoporosis Foundation Calcium Steering Committee. Global Dietary Calcium Intake Among Adults: A Systematic Review. Osteoporos Int. 2017;28(12):3315-3324. doi: 10.1007/s00198-017-4230-x.
National Osteoporosis Foundation of South Africa. [Online]. Calcium Supplementation. Mar 2016. Cited 03 Sept 2021. Available from:
Cancer Association of South Africa. Fact Sheet on Vitamin D. Sep 2017
Pretorius, Schönfeldt HC. Calcium Intake and Metabolism. [Online]. Food Advisory Consumer Service. 2009. Cited 20 July 2021. Available from: https://osteoporosis.org.za/calcium-supplementation/
Vitamin D Deficiency: Symptoms & Treatment [Online]. Cleveland Clinic. 16 Oct 2019. Cited 3 Sep 2021. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15050-vitamin-d--vitamin-d-deficiency
Sandoz SA (Pty) Ltd. Professional Information. 21 Apr 2021