[Food fortifivation with calcium]

ABSTRACT

Calcium is an essential element for living cells and plays an important role in muscle contraction, neurotransmitter secretion and blood coagulation. It has been cleared that deficiency in daily calcium intake can increase the probability of osteoporosis, hypertension, colon cancer, post partum depression and premenstrual syndrome. Dairy products are the most important sources for calcium. Calcium requirement is increased during years of growing to reach peak bone mass. It is increased in puberty and also during years after menopause and elderly to prevent osteoporosis and resultant fractures. Nowadays, peoples in the society are consuming synthetic drinks increasingly while liquids like milk and yogurt have been replaced by this type of drinks. With attention to great consumption of this type of drinks, it seems that placing some foods which have been fortified by calcium in daily regimen, could supply daily calcium requirements. The aim of this review article is to insist on calcium importance and food fortification with calcium and also to describe methods of fortification