Effects of Nano-sized Calcium on Intestinal Absorption and Bone Turnover

Kang, Jee Hyun; Yu, Byung Yeon

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
We compared the effects of two different nano-sized calcium supplements (synthesized by wet-chemical method or the dry-grinding method of calcium carbonate) and one micro-sized calcium supplement (calcium carbonate) on intestinal absorption and bone turnover in 20 young women. MATERIALS & METHODS: This study was carried out with a three week cross-over design. The subjects ingested one of three different calcium supplements (1 dose of 500 mg Ca++) at 8 AM, which was repeated three times weekly. Serum and urine samples were collected before and after the calcium load using a time table (serum sampling 0, 2 hr, 4 hr, 8 hr after loading; urine sampling 0, 4 hr, 8 hr after loading).
RESULTS
Serum ionized calcium and parathyroid hormone concentrations significantly changed in response to all calcium supplements loading, the difference among calcium supplements was not significant. However, the postload urinary excretion of calcium and the N-telopeptide/creatinine ratio were significantly different among three calcium supplement over time by repeated measured ANOVA.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest the effect of nano-sized calcium supplements synthesized by the wet-chemical method is superior to the other calcium supplements in intestinal calcium absorption and bone turn-over.