See also
Calcium is the most abundant, essential mineral in the human body. Of the two to three pounds of calcium contained in the average body, 99% is located in the bones and teeth. Calcium is needed to form bones and teeth and is also required for blood clotting, transmission of signals in nerve cells, and muscle contraction. The importance of calcium for preventing osteoporosis is probably its most well-known role.
Warning: Calcium supplements should be avoided by prostate cancer patients.
Where is it found?
Most dietary calcium comes from dairy products. The myth that calcium from dairy products is not absorbed is not supported by scientific research.1 2 Other good sources include sardines, canned salmon, green leafy vegetables, and tofu.
Calcium has been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern for complete information):
Science Ratings - Health Concerns
*** - Gestational hypertension
*** - Lactose intolerance (for preventing deficiency if dairy products are avoided only)
*** - Osteoporosis
*** - Preeclampsia (for deficiency)
*** - Premenstrual syndrome
*** - Rickets
** - Celiac disease (for deficiency only)
** - High blood pressure
** - High cholesterol
** - High triglycerides
** - Pregnancy and postpartum support
** - Weight loss
* - Amenorrhea (calcium for preventing bone loss)
* - Colon cancer (reduces risk)
* - Depression
* - Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)
* - Gingivitis (periodontal disease)
* - Insulin resistance syndrome (Syndrome X)
* - Kidney stones
* - Migraine headaches
* - Multiple sclerosis
*** - Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
Warning: Calcium supplements should be avoided by prostate cancer patients.
Where is it found?
Most dietary calcium comes from dairy products. The myth that calcium from dairy products is not absorbed is not supported by scientific research.1 2 Other good sources include sardines, canned salmon, green leafy vegetables, and tofu.
Calcium has been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern for complete information):
Science Ratings - Health Concerns
*** - Gestational hypertension
*** - Lactose intolerance (for preventing deficiency if dairy products are avoided only)
*** - Osteoporosis
*** - Preeclampsia (for deficiency)
*** - Premenstrual syndrome
*** - Rickets
** - Celiac disease (for deficiency only)
** - High blood pressure
** - High cholesterol
** - High triglycerides
** - Pregnancy and postpartum support
** - Weight loss
* - Amenorrhea (calcium for preventing bone loss)
* - Colon cancer (reduces risk)
* - Depression
* - Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)
* - Gingivitis (periodontal disease)
* - Insulin resistance syndrome (Syndrome X)
* - Kidney stones
* - Migraine headaches
* - Multiple sclerosis
*** - Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
** - Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
* - For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit.
Who is likely to be deficient?
Severe deficiency of either calcium or vitamin D leads to a condition called rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Since vitamin D is required for calcium absorption, people with conditions causing vitamin D deficiency (e.g., pancreatic insufficiency) may develop a deficiency of calcium as well. Vegans (pure vegetarians), people with dark skin, those who live in northern climates, and people who stay indoors almost all the time are more likely to be vitamin D deficient than are other people. Vegans often eat less calcium and vitamin D than do other people. Most people eat well below the recommended amount of calcium. This lack of dietary calcium is thought to contribute to the risk of osteoporosis, particularly in white and Asian women.
How much is usually taken?
The National Academy of Sciences has established guidelines for calcium that are 25–50% higher than previous recommendations. For ages 19 to 50, calcium intake is recommended to be 1,000 mg daily; for adults over age 51, the recommendation is 1,200 mg daily.3 The most common supplemental amount for adults is 800–1,000 mg per day.4 General recommendations for higher daily intakes (1,200–1,500 mg) usually include the calcium most people consume from their diets. Studies indicate the average daily amount of calcium consumed by Americans is about 500–1,000 mg.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Constipation, bloating, and gas are sometimes reported with the use of calcium supplements.5 A very high intake of calcium from dairy products plus supplemental calcium carbonate was reported in the past to cause a condition called “milk alkali syndrome.” This toxicity is rarely reported today because most medical doctors no longer tell people with ulcers to use this approach as treatment for their condition.
People with hyperparathyroidism, chronic kidney disease, or kidney stones should not supplement with calcium without consulting a physician. For other adults, the highest amount typically suggested by doctors (1,200 mg per day) is considered quite safe. People with prostate cancer should avoid supplementing with calcium.
In the past, calcium supplements in the forms of bone meal (including MCHC), dolomite, and oyster shell have sometimes had higher lead levels than permitted by stringent California regulations, though generally less than the levels set by the federal government.6 “Refined” forms (which would include CCM, calcium citrate, and most calcium carbonate) have low levels.7 More recently, a survey of over-the-counter calcium supplements found low or undetectable levels of lead in most products,8 representing a sharp decline in lead content of calcium supplements since 1993. People who decide to take bone meal, dolomite, oyster shell, or coral calcium for long periods of time can contact the supplying supplement company to request independent laboratory analysis showing minimal lead levels.
Some studies have shown that calcium competes for absorption with a number of other minerals, while other studies have found no such competition. To be on the safe side, some doctors recommend that people taking calcium for long periods of time should also take a multimineral supplement.
One study has shown that taking calcium can interfere with the absorption of phosphorus, which, like calcium, is important for bone health.9 . Although most western diets contain ample or even excessive amounts of phosphorus, older people who supplement with large amounts of calcium may be at risk of developing phosphorus deficiency. For this reason, the authors of this study recommend that, for elderly people, at least some of the supplemental calcium be taken in the form of tricalcium phosphate or some other phosphorus-containing preparation.
Vitamin D’s most important role is maintaining blood levels of calcium. Therefore, many doctors recommend that those supplementing with calcium also supplement with 400 IU of vitamin D per day.
Animal studies have shown that essential fatty acids (EFAs) increase calcium absorption from the gut, in part by enhancing the effects of vitamin D and reducing loss of calcium in the urine.10
Lysine supplementation increases the absorption of calcium and may reduce its excretion.11 As a result, some researchers believe that lysine may eventually be shown to have a role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.12
Who is likely to be deficient?
Severe deficiency of either calcium or vitamin D leads to a condition called rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Since vitamin D is required for calcium absorption, people with conditions causing vitamin D deficiency (e.g., pancreatic insufficiency) may develop a deficiency of calcium as well. Vegans (pure vegetarians), people with dark skin, those who live in northern climates, and people who stay indoors almost all the time are more likely to be vitamin D deficient than are other people. Vegans often eat less calcium and vitamin D than do other people. Most people eat well below the recommended amount of calcium. This lack of dietary calcium is thought to contribute to the risk of osteoporosis, particularly in white and Asian women.
How much is usually taken?
The National Academy of Sciences has established guidelines for calcium that are 25–50% higher than previous recommendations. For ages 19 to 50, calcium intake is recommended to be 1,000 mg daily; for adults over age 51, the recommendation is 1,200 mg daily.3 The most common supplemental amount for adults is 800–1,000 mg per day.4 General recommendations for higher daily intakes (1,200–1,500 mg) usually include the calcium most people consume from their diets. Studies indicate the average daily amount of calcium consumed by Americans is about 500–1,000 mg.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Constipation, bloating, and gas are sometimes reported with the use of calcium supplements.5 A very high intake of calcium from dairy products plus supplemental calcium carbonate was reported in the past to cause a condition called “milk alkali syndrome.” This toxicity is rarely reported today because most medical doctors no longer tell people with ulcers to use this approach as treatment for their condition.
People with hyperparathyroidism, chronic kidney disease, or kidney stones should not supplement with calcium without consulting a physician. For other adults, the highest amount typically suggested by doctors (1,200 mg per day) is considered quite safe. People with prostate cancer should avoid supplementing with calcium.
In the past, calcium supplements in the forms of bone meal (including MCHC), dolomite, and oyster shell have sometimes had higher lead levels than permitted by stringent California regulations, though generally less than the levels set by the federal government.6 “Refined” forms (which would include CCM, calcium citrate, and most calcium carbonate) have low levels.7 More recently, a survey of over-the-counter calcium supplements found low or undetectable levels of lead in most products,8 representing a sharp decline in lead content of calcium supplements since 1993. People who decide to take bone meal, dolomite, oyster shell, or coral calcium for long periods of time can contact the supplying supplement company to request independent laboratory analysis showing minimal lead levels.
Some studies have shown that calcium competes for absorption with a number of other minerals, while other studies have found no such competition. To be on the safe side, some doctors recommend that people taking calcium for long periods of time should also take a multimineral supplement.
One study has shown that taking calcium can interfere with the absorption of phosphorus, which, like calcium, is important for bone health.9 . Although most western diets contain ample or even excessive amounts of phosphorus, older people who supplement with large amounts of calcium may be at risk of developing phosphorus deficiency. For this reason, the authors of this study recommend that, for elderly people, at least some of the supplemental calcium be taken in the form of tricalcium phosphate or some other phosphorus-containing preparation.
Vitamin D’s most important role is maintaining blood levels of calcium. Therefore, many doctors recommend that those supplementing with calcium also supplement with 400 IU of vitamin D per day.
Animal studies have shown that essential fatty acids (EFAs) increase calcium absorption from the gut, in part by enhancing the effects of vitamin D and reducing loss of calcium in the urine.10
Lysine supplementation increases the absorption of calcium and may reduce its excretion.11 As a result, some researchers believe that lysine may eventually be shown to have a role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.12
Drug Interactions
Certain medicines interact with calcium: Some interactions may increase the need for calcium (+), other interactions may be negative (-) and indicate calcium should not be taken without first speaking with your physician or pharmacist, others may require further explanation (?). Refer to the individual drug article for specific details about an interaction.
Note: The following list only includes the generic or class name of a medicine. To find a specific brand name, use the Medicines index.
Advair Diskus (+)
Albuterol (+)
Alendronate (?)
Aluminum Hydroxide (+)
Anticonvulsants (+)
Bile Acid Sequestrants (+)
Caffeine (+)
Calcitonin (+)
Calcium Acetate (-)
Ciprofloxacin (-)
Cisplatin (+)
Colestipol (+)
Cycloserine (+)
Diclofenac (+)
Doxycycline (-)
Erythromycin (?)
Estrogens (Combined) (+)
Felodipine (+)
Flurbiprofen (+)
Gabapentin (+)
Gemifloxacin (-)
Gentamicin (+)
Hydroxychloroquine (+)
Indapamide (+)
Indomethacin (+)
Inhaled Corticosteroids (+)
Isoniazid (+)
Lactase (?)
Metformin (+)
Mineral Oil (+)
Minocycline (+) (-)
Nadolol (-)
Neomycin (+)
Ofloxacin (-)
Omeprazole (+)
Oral Contraceptives (?)
Oral Corticosteroids (+)
Phenobarbital (+)
Quinolones (-)
Risedronate (+) (-)
Sodium Fluoride (?)
Sotalol (-)
Sucralfate (+)
Sulfamethoxazole (+)
Tetracycline (-)
Tetracyclines (-)
Thiazide Diuretics (?)
Thyroid Hormones (+) (-)
Tobramycin (+)
Triamterene (+)
Trimethoprim (+)
Valproic Acid (+)
Verapamil (+) (-)
Certain medicines interact with calcium: Some interactions may increase the need for calcium (+), other interactions may be negative (-) and indicate calcium should not be taken without first speaking with your physician or pharmacist, others may require further explanation (?). Refer to the individual drug article for specific details about an interaction.
Note: The following list only includes the generic or class name of a medicine. To find a specific brand name, use the Medicines index.
Advair Diskus (+)
Albuterol (+)
Alendronate (?)
Aluminum Hydroxide (+)
Anticonvulsants (+)
Bile Acid Sequestrants (+)
Caffeine (+)
Calcitonin (+)
Calcium Acetate (-)
Ciprofloxacin (-)
Cisplatin (+)
Colestipol (+)
Cycloserine (+)
Diclofenac (+)
Doxycycline (-)
Erythromycin (?)
Estrogens (Combined) (+)
Felodipine (+)
Flurbiprofen (+)
Gabapentin (+)
Gemifloxacin (-)
Gentamicin (+)
Hydroxychloroquine (+)
Indapamide (+)
Indomethacin (+)
Inhaled Corticosteroids (+)
Isoniazid (+)
Lactase (?)
Metformin (+)
Mineral Oil (+)
Minocycline (+) (-)
Nadolol (-)
Neomycin (+)
Ofloxacin (-)
Omeprazole (+)
Oral Contraceptives (?)
Oral Corticosteroids (+)
Phenobarbital (+)
Quinolones (-)
Risedronate (+) (-)
Sodium Fluoride (?)
Sotalol (-)
Sucralfate (+)
Sulfamethoxazole (+)
Tetracycline (-)
Tetracyclines (-)
Thiazide Diuretics (?)
Thyroid Hormones (+) (-)
Tobramycin (+)
Triamterene (+)
Trimethoprim (+)
Valproic Acid (+)
Verapamil (+) (-)
Source: www.cncahealth.com