The evidence from in vivo studies showed that glucose polymer enhanced intestinal calcium absorption. However, the mechanism with which calcium absorption is increased by glucose polymer administration is not clear. Calcium uptake by isolated everted rat ileal gut sac was used as a technique in an effort to explore the effect of this carbohydrate on calcium uptake under in vitro conditions.As a comparison, ileal sacs were treated with buffer and sugar solutions at an equivalent dose. The results showed that all three sugars, as compared to buffer treatment, enhanced calcium uptake by ileal sacs, lactose 30.7%, glucose polymer 33% and glucose 24.7%, indicating a non-specific mechanism is involved in intestinal calcium absorption.