Are There Any Side Effects From Taking Calcium Tablets?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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When taken by mouth: Calcium is likely safe when used in recommended amounts of about 1000-1200 mg daily. Calcium can cause some minor side effects such as belching or gas . But calcium is possibly unsafe when taken in doses above the daily tolerable upper intake level (UL).

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Is it good to take calcium tablets everyday?

Calcium supplements can help fill the gap between how much calcium you get in your diet and how much you need per day. Remember, the recommended amount for most adults is 1,000 mg per day and increases to 1,200 mg per day for women over 50 and men over 70.

Is taking calcium everyday bad?

For most people, taking calcium pills every day for bone health is safe . But there are certain circumstances that may make daily calcium supplements inappropriate or even increase your risk for cardiovascular disease.

What are 5 benefits of calcium?

  • Bone health. Around 99% of the calcium in the human body is in the bones and teeth. ...
  • Muscle contraction. Calcium helps regulate muscle contraction. ...
  • Cardiovascular system. Calcium plays a key role in blood clotting. ...
  • Other roles. Calcium is a co-factor for many enzymes.

What are the symptoms of lack of calcium?

  • confusion or memory loss.
  • muscle spasms.
  • numbness and tingling in the hands, feet, and face.
  • depression.
  • hallucinations.
  • muscle cramps.
  • weak and brittle nails.
  • easy fracturing of the bones.

How long can we take calcium tablets?

Even when we stop building bone, we need calcium for other functions and to replace what is being lost each day. For this reason, there are daily Recommended Adequate Intakes set for calcium: 0 to 6 months – 210 mg . 7 to 12 months – 270 mg .

Is calcium supplements bad for kidneys?

Calcium supplements, on the other hand, have been tied to an increased risk of kidney stones in some studies. Loftus said supplements have been linked to higher odds of passing a large stone that causes painful symptoms.

Should calcium be taken at night?

To maximize your absorption of calcium, take no more than 500 mg at a time . You might take one 500 mg supplement in the morning and another at night. If you take a supplement that also contains vitamin D, it will help your body absorb calcium more efficiently.

How much calcium is too much?

The recommended upper limit for calcium is 2,500 mg a day for adults 19 to 50. For those 51 and older, the limit is 2,000 mg a day.

How much calcium do I need per day?

The average adult needs 1,000 mg of calcium per day . The amount increases to 1,200 mg per day for women over the age of 50 and men over the age of 71. “It’s best for your calcium intake to come from your diet, which is very achievable since it’s a mineral found in many foods,” says Dr.

Should I stop taking calcium?

“The truth is, the research is inconclusive . But there is a growing body of evidence that suggests no health benefit, or even worse, that calcium supplements may be harmful.” Multiple studies have found that there’s little to no benefit to taking calcium supplements for the prevention of hip fractures.

Which calcium tablet is best for bones?

The two most commonly used calcium products are calcium carbonate and calcium citrate . Calcium carbonate supplements dissolve better in an acid environment, so they should be taken with a meal. Calcium citrate supplements can be taken any time because they do not need acid to dissolve.

What are the side effects of taking calcium with vitamin D?

  • nausea, vomiting, constipation;
  • increased thirst or urination;
  • muscle weakness, bone pain; or.
  • confusion, lack of energy, or feeling tired.

Does calcium tablets increase weight?

There were no differences in weight gain or fat mass gain in patients taking calcium compared to those taking the placebo. No side effects were related to calcium supplements.

How can I check my calcium levels?

The total calcium blood test measures the total amount of calcium in your blood. Your doctor will order this test as part of a routine metabolic panel or if you’re experiencing certain symptoms. Be sure to see your doctor if you’re having symptoms of low or high calcium.

Who is most at risk for calcium deficiency?

There are three major population groups that are at highest risk for dietary calcium deficiency. These include women (amenorrheic, the female athlete triad, postmenopausal), individuals with milk allergy or lactose intolerance, and atrisk groups for dietary deficiency intake (adolescents and the elderly).

Can calcium cause leg cramps?

Mineral depletion.

Too little potassium, calcium or magnesium in your diet can contribute to leg cramps. Diuretics — medications often prescribed for high blood pressure — also can deplete these minerals.

Why is it better to take calcium at night?

Bone resorption follows a circadian rhythm that peaks at night , reflecting the circadian rhythm of serum parathyroid hormone. Our previous studies in early postmenopausal women have established that 1000 mg of calcium given at 9 p. m. reduced bone resorption markers overnight, but not during the day.

What age do you stop taking calcium?

Age Group Recommended Daily Calcium Intake 51-70-year-old women 1,200 mg/day 71+ years old 1,200 mg/day 14-18 years old, pregnant/lactating 1,300 mg/day 19-50 years old, pregnant/lactating 1,000 mg/day

Is calcium bad for your heart?

After analyzing 10 years of medical tests on more than 2,700 people in a federally funded heart disease study, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine and elsewhere conclude that taking calcium in the form of supplements may raise the risk of plaque buildup in arteries and heart damage , although a diet high in calcium- ...

Do calcium tablets cause kidney stones?

Studies show that higher the amount of DIETERY CALCIUM, lesser the chances of calcium stones. However, if along with dietary intake of calcium, calcium supplements are taken, it increases the chances of kidney stones .

What happens if you take too much calcium?

Too much calcium in your blood can weaken your bones, create kidney stones , and interfere with how your heart and brain work. Hypercalcemia is usually a result of overactive parathyroid glands.

Does calcium increase uric acid?

A short-term study of patients with idiopathic urolithiasis has demonstrated that intravenous calcium chloride increases uric acid excretion [4]. In patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, serum urate concentrations correlate with PTH levels and decrease after parathyroidectomy [5].

Do calcium pills make you sleepy?

Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects . Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual weight loss, mental/mood changes, bone/muscle pain, headache, increased thirst/urination, weakness, unusual tiredness.

What medications should not be taken with calcium?

Don’t take calcium tablets with foods high in calcium (mainly dairy foods) or with antacids containing aluminum or magnesium , or mineral oil, or stimulant laxatives. If you do, you can kiss that calcium goodbye.

Can I take calcium with milk?

Doesn’t matter even if you take with milk.

Can too much calcium cause joint pain?

However, if people have too many calcium crystals in their body and in the wrong place, this can cause problems. In calcific periarthritis , these hard, sharp crystals rub against the soft tissue surrounding a joint causing pain and swelling.

Which fruits are rich in calcium?

Five dried or fresh figs provide your body with 135 mg of calcium. Papayas and oranges are two other fruits high in calcium.

What can I eat to get 1000 mg of calcium?

  • Dairy, including milk, cheese and yogurt.
  • Canned fish with bones, such as salmon or sardines.
  • Certain leafy greens including collard greens, spinach and kale.
  • Edamame and tofu.
  • Beans and lentils.
  • Fortified foods and drinks.

What is the best calcium to take?

Calcium carbonate supplements tends to be the best value, because they contain the highest amount of elemental calcium (about 40% by weight). Because calcium carbonate requires stomach acid for absorption, it’s best to take this product with food.

Can you take vitamin D and calcium together?

Calcium should always be taken along with vitamin D , because the body needs vitamin D in order to absorb calcium.

Which foods are highest in calcium?

  • Cheese.
  • Yogurt.
  • Milk.
  • Sardines.
  • Dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, turnips, and collard greens.
  • Fortified cereals such as Total, Raisin Bran, Corn Flakes (They have a lot of calcium in one serving.)
  • Fortified orange juice.
  • Soybeans.

What time of day is best to take calcium and vitamin D?

Many people prefer to take supplements such as vitamin D first thing in the morning . Not only is it often more convenient, but it’s also easier to remember your vitamins in the morning than later in the day.

What vitamins should not be taken together?

  • Vitamin C with vitamin B-12.
  • Vitamin A supplement with vitamin A-rich foods.
  • Folic acid (vitamin B9) and vitamin B12.
  • Vitamin E and vitamin K.

Is Vitamin D the same as calcium?

Calcium and vitamin D work together to protect your bones—calcium helps build and maintain bones, while vitamin D helps your body effectively absorb calcium. So even if you’re taking in enough calcium, it could be going to waste if you’re deficient in vitamin D.

Does taking calcium cause high blood pressure?

Several studies have shown that increasing calcium intake lowers blood pressure even in individuals within a normal blood pressure range. Increasing calcium intake also has benefits for pregnancy outcomes, effects which are thought to be mediated also by blood pressure reduction.

Does calcium help joint pain?

Calcium is a familiar nutrient that is closely tied to bone and joint health. It is the nutrient associated with helping to form the bones and teeth and keep them strong. Calcium pills can be effective in reducing joint inflammation and pain , especially in the knee joints.

Which foods increase bone density?

  • milk, cheese and other dairy foods.
  • green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage and okra, but not spinach.
  • soya beans.
  • tofu.
  • plant-based drinks (such as soya drink) with added calcium.
  • nuts.
  • bread and anything made with fortified flour.
  • fish where you eat the bones, such as sardines and pilchards.

How can I get 1000 mg of calcium a day?

  1. Milk.
  2. Cheese.
  3. Yogurt.
  4. Fortified orange juice.
  5. Dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, turnips, and collard greens.
  6. Fortified soymilk.
  7. Enriched breads, grains, and waffles.
  8. Fortified cereals.
Emily Lee
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Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.