My WebMD Sign In

Please enter email address

Enter your password

Keep me signed in on this computer

Show more Information

If you select "Keep me signed in on this computer", every time you visit WebMD.com you won't have to type your email address and password. This means that a cookie will stay on your computer even when you exit or close your browser which may reduce your levels of privacy and security. You should never select this option if you're using a publicly accessible computer, or if you're sharing a computer with others. Even if you select this option there are some features of our site that still require you to log in for privacy reasons.

Forget your password? Having trouble signing in?

Why should I
sign up for WebMD?

With a WebMD Account you can:

Track your way to weight loss success
Manage your family's vaccinations
Join the conversation

See more benefits Sign Up

Why WebMD?

My WebMD

Show Menu

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

WebMD Home

Osteoporosis Community

NATIONAL OSTEOPOROSIS FOUNDATION

Reply: Calcium: Is it possible to get too much of a good ...

Eating a variety of calcium-fortified foods and vegetarian calcium sources can...

Posted by Deborah T Gold, PhD

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Calcium: Is it possible to get too much of a good thing? Eating a variety of calcium-fortified foods and vegetarian calcium sources can...

NATIONAL OSTEOPOROSIS FOUNDATION

Calcium: Is it possible to get too much of a good ...

As most of you probably know, calcium is an essential nutrient for your bones....

Posted by Deborah T Gold, PhD

As most of you probably know, calcium is an essential nutrient for your bones. While many people do not get enough calcium to keep their bones healthy, some people actually get too much calcium. For example, if you eat a variety of calcium-rich foods and take multiple calcium supplements each day, you may actually be getting more calcium than your body can use. Here are some basic guidelines to help you:

If you are age 50 or older, you should get 1,200 mg of calcium every day from a combination of food and/or supplements. If you are under age 50, you should get 1,000 mg of calcium every day from a combination of food and/or supplements.*

Food remains the best source of calcium. Low-fat and non-fat dairy products are high in calcium, while certain green vegetables and other foods contain calcium in smaller amounts. Many products are also fortified with calcium. For example, some brands of soy milk, orange juice, cereal and other foods have calcium added to them.

It is important to estimate the amount of calcium you get from your diet on a typical day. This will help you determine whether you need to take a calcium supplement. If you need to take a supplement, you can calculate the amount of calcium you should be taking. To help you, NOF has created a “calcium calculator handout.” To find out how you can receive a copy, please visit Calcium Calculator Handout .

Again, while it’s important to meet your calcium needs each day, getting more calcium than you need is not beneficial. Too much calcium may cause kidney stones or other problems in certain people. According to most experts, the safe upper limit for total daily calcium intake from all sources is 2,000-2,500 mg.

Finally, in order to absorb calcium, your body also needs vitamin D. If you reduce the amount of calcium you get from supplements, you may need to take a separate vitamin D supplement. The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) recommends that adults under age 50 get 400-800 International Units (IU) of vitamin D every day. Adults age 50 and older should get 800-1,000 IU of vitamin D every day. Ask your healthcare provider if you need more. To learn more about vitamin D, please visit http://www.nof.org/prevention/vitaminD.htm .

*These recommendations apply to adults only. Calcium recommendations for children and teenagers are available at http://www.nof.org/prevention/calcium2.htm .View Thread

Posted byDeborah T Gold, PhD

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Calcium: Is it possible to get too much of a good thing? As most of you probably know, calcium is an essential nutrient for your bones....

See Related Women's Health Communities

See All Communities

Women's Health Newsletter

Find out what women really need.

For more information, visit the National Osteoporosis Foundation website

Other Osteoporosis Information

The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.

Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.