[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 106 (Friday, June 3, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-13483]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: June 3, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
Consensus Development Conference on Optimal Calcium Intake
Notice is hereby given of the NIH Consensus Development Conference
on ``Optimal Calcium Intake,'' which will be held June 6-8, 1994, in
the Masur Auditorium of the National Institutes of Health, 9000
Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892. This conference is sponsored
by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin
Diseases and the NIH Office of Medical Applications of Research. The
conference begins at 8:30 a.m. on June 6 and 7 and at 9 a.m. on June 8.
Over the past decade, both the general public and scientists have
been exposed to a great deal of literature about the value of ensuring
an adequate calcium intake throughout life. A number of articles in the
medical literature have addressed the role of calcium intake in the
prevention of disorders including osteoporosis and other bone diseases,
colon cancer, and high blood pressure (hypertension) including
preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Results of one
recent study indicated that high calcium intake can decrease the risk
of kidney stones--a somewhat surprising conclusion since high dietary
calcium intake had been strongly suspected to increase the risk of
kidney stones.
Osteoporosis affects more than 25 million people in the United
States and is the major underlying cause of bone fractures in
postmenopausal women and the elderly. Two important factors that
influence whether osteoporosis occurs are the peak bone density (or
bone mass) attained in early life (by about age 30) and the rate at
which bones is lost in later life. Calcium intake is thought to help
build denser, stronger bones in early life and to slow the rate of bone
loss with age.
Results from several studies reported in the recent medical
literature suggest that increased calcium intake is beneficial for bone
health in people in different age groups, from children to the very
elderly. The results of this research and studies on other diseases
indicate that the optimal level of calcium intake may be greater than
the amount consumed by a majority of the American people. This
conference will discuss and thoroughly evaluate the information
available on calcium intake and disease prevention.
Optimal calcium intake may vary according to the disease being
considered, and may also vary according to a person's age, sex, and
ethnicity. Optimal calcium intake may be achieved by diet, calcium
supplements, or calcium-fortified foods, or by various combinations of
these. In addition, various cofactors play a role in achieving optimal
calcium intake. These include both factors such as vitamin D, which is
needed for optimal calcium absorption, and factors that can negatively
influence calcium availability, such as certain medications or foods.
The purpose of this NIH consensus conference is to evaluate the
available data on optimal calcium intake and health status. Conference
participants will include specialists in many different fields,
including osteoporosis and bone health, oncology, hypertension, human
nutrition, and food fortification and labeling, as well as
representatives from the public.
After 1\1/2\ days of presentations and audience discussion, an
independent, non-Federal consensus panel will weigh the scientific
evidence and write a draft statement in response to the following key
questions:
What is the optimal amount of calcium intake?
What are the important cofactors for achieving optimal
calcium intake?
What are the risk factors associated with different levels
of calcium intake?
What are the best ways to attain optimal calcium intake?
What public health strategies are available and needed to
implement optimal calcium intake?
What are the recommendations for future research on
calcium?
On the final day of the meeting, the consensus panel chairman will
read the draft statement to the conference audience and invite comments
and questions.
Advance information on the conference program and conference
registration materials may be obtained from: Ann Besignano, Technical
Resources, Inc., 3202 Tower Oaks Blvd., suite 200, Rockville, Maryland
20852, (301) 770-3153.
The consensus statement will be submitted for publication in
professional journals and other publications. In addition, the
consensus statement will be available beginning June 8, 1994, from the
NIH Consensus Program Information Service, P.O. Box 2577, Kensington,
Maryland 20891, phone 1-800-NIH-OMAR (1-800-644-6627).
Dated: May 20, 1994.
Ruth L. Kirschstein,
Deputy Director, NIH.
[FR Doc. 94-13483 Filed 6-2-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-M
