What are the benefits of taking extra Calcium?… by Pamela
I started taking extra calcium (I take a Multivitam for people over the age of 50) because I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. I have noticed that it helps me to sleep better as well. Are there any other benefits?
Best Answer:
There is some good information in the answers given, but some incorrect information as well.
There are a few main points to make. First and foremost, your body can only absorb up to 600 mg of Calcium at any given point in time (which is why most multivitamins only have up to 500 mg per dose), so taking more than that in a dose can actually hurt you.
If you take more than your body can absorb, it will NOT all be passed (although some can, not al of it will)… like other minerals, it can build up in your body and can contribute to gall stones, kidney stones, Calcium build-up, and other adverse health concerns.
Another very important thing is to make sure you take other ingredients to help the absorption of the Calcium, which is why most Calcium products also have Vitamin D and/or K, Magnesium, or Boron among other things. Those other ingredients help the absorption of Calcium into your bones.
If your doctor has recommended you take extra Calcium, make sure you know what amounts of the other vitamins/minerals you should take to work with the Calcium.
As long as you take Calcium correctly and with the right synergistic ingredients, Calcium is primarily beneficial for bone health and structure, as well as the health of teeth and nails as has already been mentioned… but just adding Calcium alone (or too much at once) can cause more problems than the minor bone health aspects you may get.
The source of Calcium doesn't matter as much as what you take with it, but Calcium is Calcium. Drinking more milk will put more Calcium in your system, so be mindful of that while you are taking Calcium supplements. I'm not sure what the other person was referring to about “artificial Calcium”…. Calcium is processed from natural sources, whether those be mineral, bonemeal, or dairy (which is seldom in a supplement form).
Some people take Calcium and/or Magnesium at night to help relax their body, but with all minerals, you need to make sure you're taking them for the right reason, not just as a sleep aid or something else. Good luck!
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