Effects of High Dietary Calcium and Phosphorus on Calcium, Phosphorus, Nitrogen and Fat Metabolism in Children

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Abstract
Calcium, phosphorus, nitrogen and fat balances were measured in eighteen American Indian children, ten of whom were on a dietary intake of 2,300 mg. calcium and 2,400 mg. phosphorus and eight on dietary intakes of 1,300 mg. calcium and 1,600 mg. phosphorus. Both groups had been on diets similar to the experimental regimens for at least one year prior to the balance studies. Urinary calcium levels varied from person to person and were unrelated to dietary calcium. Both calcium and phosphorus storage were markedly diminished on the higher mineral intakes. Chemical steatorrhea (greater than 5 per cent of dietary fat) was seen in seven of ten subjects on higher intakes of calcium and phosphorus but in none of the other group. Nitrogen balances were unrelated to the excretions of fat, calcium or phosphorus. An hypothesis was suggested for the relationship between dietary calcium, phosphorus and fat and the altered absorption of calcium, phosphorus and fat observed in certain subjects on high dietary calcium intake.