ID 233 - Wapń

PL: Wapń
EN: Calcium
Pdf: calcium

Oświadczenie (2)

1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is calcium, which is a well recognised nutrient and is measurable in foods by established methods. Calcium occurs naturally in foods in many forms which are generally well utilised by the body. Different forms of calcium are authorised for addition to foods and for use in food supplements (Annex II of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/20066 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC7). This evaluation applies to calcium naturally present in foods and those forms authorised for addition to foods and for use in food supplements (Annex II of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC).
The Panel considers that the food constituent, calcium, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised.

2.8. Udział w prawidłowym przebiegu funkcji psychicznych (psychologicznych) (ID 233)

The claimed effect is “the role of vitamins and minerals in mental performance (where mental performance stands for those aspects of brain and nerve functions which determine aspects like concentration, learning, memory and reasoning)”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel considers that contribution to normal psychological functions, which encompass cognitive and affective domains, is a beneficial physiological effect.

3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka - 

More than 99 % of the total calcium in the body is located in bones and teeth and contributes to their mass, structure and strength. Besides this structural role, calcium acts as an intracellular messenger and as a cofactor for extracellular enzymes and proteins. Overt, symptomatic calcium deficiencies are almost nonexistent given the large skeletal reserves, although inadequate calcium intakes have been associated with a higher risk of bone fractures (IoM, 1997, Weaver and Heaney, 2006).

3.6. Udział w prawidłowym przebiegu funkcji psychicznych (psychologicznych) (ID 233)

Three book chapters and one consensus opinion on the health effects of calcium were provided for the substantiation of the claim. No role of calcium in psychological functions was mentioned in any of these. In addition, an intervention study on the effects of an oral multivitamin and mineral supplementation on psychological outcomes was cited (Carroll et al., 2000). The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from this reference for the scientific substantiation of the claimed effect.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the dietary intake of calcium and contribution to normal psychological functions.

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

Only for products with at least 100 % RDA of vitamins Agency guidance for supplements is that products containing >1500 mg of Calcium should carry the label advisory statement "[This amount of Calcium] may cause mild stomach upset in sensitive individuals