Calcium

Calcium — dosage, safety & deals FAQ

How much Calcium do you need per day?

Recommended Dietary Allowances are 1,000 mg/day for adults age 19 to 50, and for men age 51 to 70. Women over 50 and everyone over 70 need 1,200 mg. Teens age 14 to 18 (including pregnant and lactating) need 1,300 mg. Younger children range from 700 to 1,300 mg by age. — per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; general information, not medical advice.

Can you take too much Calcium?

Yes. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level is 2,500 mg/day for adults age 19 to 50 and 2,000 mg/day for those over 50. Higher supplemental calcium might raise the risk of kidney stones, and possibly cardiovascular disease and prostate cancer. Hypercalcemia can cause constipation, nausea, weight loss, fatigue, polyuria, and heart arrhythmias. — per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; general information, not medical advice.

What are the signs of Calcium deficiency?

Calcium deficiency can reduce bone strength and lead to osteoporosis, causing fragile bones and increased risk of falling. It can also cause rickets in children and osteomalacia (defective bone mineralization and softening) in adults and children. Hypocalcemia signs include perioral numbness, tingling in hands and feet, and muscle spasms. — per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; general information, not medical advice.

Who is most likely to need more Calcium?

Groups most likely to have inadequate calcium include postmenopausal women, whose RDA rises to 1,200 mg to lessen bone loss, and individuals who avoid dairy products, including people with lactose intolerance, those with milk allergy, and vegans, since dairy is a rich calcium source. — per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; general information, not medical advice.