Do Calcium Supplements Pose A Health Threat?
Jamaal Harrison
We've all heard that calcium is vital for strong bones and healthy teeth. Calcium is the most abundant mineral found in our bodies and serves a variety of important functions, particularly in the skeletal-muscular system but is vital in other bodily areas as well. Our everyday diet generally provides us with our calcium needs but in some instances it may not, depending partially on which foodstuffs are readily available to us.
Calcium supplements are generally easy to come by and may suffice to help meet your daily minimum requirement. Like with any other supplement it's generally a good idea to know what you're taking and how much before you start taking it. The amount of calcium your body needs is to some extent dependent on age.
Growing bodies require more calcium on a daily basis as do pregnant women. For most adults up through about 50 years in age the daily recommended dosage is 1000 milligrams. You can keep this number in mind when checking the label on multivitamins or calcium supplements.
Some prescription medications do not mix with calcium, so be sure to check with your doctor if you are on a prescription medication. If you're prone to kidney stones, calcium may make them worse. Another factor to take into consideration is the amount of elemental calcium the supplements contain. Calcium comes bound to another element, such as carbonate, lactate, and citrate.
Check the label for a USP symbol, which means the supplements are free from mercury, lead, and other metals. Also, since calcium supplements come in a variety of sizes, be sure to check the label for the size of the serving. Because calcium is so crucial for your body to function, calcium supplements are something to consider if you think you may not be getting the daily recommended intake. But, as always, check with your doctor if you have any hesitations or reservations.
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