Calcium can you take too much

Weight-bearing exercises such as walking, jogging and weight training are especially helpful in preventing bone loss. Simply moving more throughout the day supports bone health, too. Research indicates that women who sit for more than nine hours a day are 50 percent more likely to have a hip fracture than those who are less sedentary. Finding ways to work more walking or standing into your day can add up.

For example, park farther away from buildings, take the stairs instead of the elevator and pace while on phone calls. Diabetes and Nutrition. Antioxidants: What You Need to Know. Path to improved health You need calcium to keep your bones and teeth healthy and strong throughout your life. Your body also uses calcium to: Help blood vessels and muscles work properly. Help release hormones and enzymes that keep your body working properly.

Help your nerves carry messages throughout your body. Help control important nutrients, such as magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. Doctors recommend: Children ages months: milligrams mg per day.

Children ages months: mg per day. Children ages mg per day Children ages 1, mg per day Children ages 1, mg per day Adults ages 1, mg per day Adult men ages 1, mg per day Adult women ages 1, mg per day Adults ages 71 and older: 1, mg per day. Certain populations are at higher risk for low calcium levels, including: Postmenopausal women.

People who have lactose intolerance and avoid dairy products. Women who have an eating disorder for example, anorexia. People who do not eat animal, fish, or dairy products vegans. People who take certain medicines for osteoporosis. People who have parathyroid disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, or liver or kidney disease.

Doctors recommend the following tolerable upper intake levels by age: Ages months: 1, mg per day Ages months: 1, mg per day Ages 2, mg per day Ages 3, mg per day Ages 2, mg per day Ages 51 and older: 2, mg per day Talk to your doctor about whether supplements are right for you. Questions to ask your doctor Can too much calcium upset your stomach? Can illness cause low calcium? Can you develop osteoporosis at an early age? Foods contain vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber , and other components that benefit health.

In some cases, fortified foods and dietary supplements are useful when it is not possible to meet needs for one or more nutrients e. For more information about building a healthy dietary pattern, see the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the U. Department of Agriculture's MyPlate. This fact sheet by the Office of Dietary Supplements ODS provides information that should not take the place of medical advice.

We encourage you to talk to your healthcare providers doctor, registered dietitian, pharmacist, etc. Any mention in this publication of a specific product or service, or recommendation from an organization or professional society, does not represent an endorsement by ODS of that product, service, or expert advice.

Updated: March 22, History of changes to this fact sheet. Find ODS on:. Strengthening Knowledge and Understanding of Dietary Supplements. Health Information Health Information. Calcium Fact Sheet for Consumers. Table of Contents What is calcium and what does it do?

How much calcium do I need? What foods provide calcium? What kinds of calcium dietary supplements are available? Am I getting enough calcium? What happens if I don't get enough calcium? What are some effects of calcium on health?

Can calcium be harmful? Does calcium interact with medications or other dietary supplements? Calcium and healthful eating Where can I find out more about calcium? Disclaimer This fact sheet by the Office of Dietary Supplements ODS provides information that should not take the place of medical advice. Health Information. About ODS. You should be able to get all the calcium you need from your daily diet. What happens if I take too much calcium? What does the Department of Health and Social Care advise?