New research reveals the mechanism that allows breastfeeding babies to absorb large amounts of calcium and build healthy bones — a discovery that could lead to treatment for osteoporosis and other bone diseases later in life. The researchers identified calcium-absorbing channels in the lower two-thirds of the small intestines of breastfed infant mice.

«We build our bone mineral density until we’re early adults and then stop, so we think of osteoporosis as a disease of the elderly,» said Megan Beggs, a pediatric dietitian and PhD candidate in physiology at the University of Alberta who led the study.

«Really, it’s a pediatric disease with consequences in old age, so understanding what’s happening at these younger ages, when bones are being built, is critical.»

The researchers identified calcium-absorbing channels in the lower two-thirds of the small intestines of breastfed infant mice in a paper published in the journal Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Previous work had revealed that in adult mammals, most calcium absorption takes place in the upper part of the small intestines, where food spends much less time.

«It seems to be pretty much the opposite is happening in infants,» said Beggs.

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Materials provided by University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.