10 October 2016

How to take calcium

Because calcium is associated with strong, healthy bones, many people choose to supplement it. There are numerous types of calcium supplements to choose from. But taking more calcium can overdo it. The recommended daily Intake of calcium is around 1,000 mg, and so unless your doctor recommends more there is not much of a reason to supplement beyond that.

In addition, calcium is best absorbed in smaller doses of 500 mg or less. Anything over 500 mg will not be absorbed well by the body and will simply be wasted. So, if you need to supplement 1,000 mg of elemental calcium a day, you will have to take 500 mg twice a day to for the best absorption.

Since calcium supplements can cause stomach discomfort for some people, many opt to take it at mealtimes to avoid difficulty.

In the meantime, if you are not getting enough other vitamins, minerals and trace minerals, you likely will not absorb calcium as well. For example, if you are deficient in vitamin D, you will only absorb 10% of your calcium instead of the average 30%. So, it is important to also make sure you are getting enough vitamin D, magnesium, and vitamin K along with calcium.

Besides supplements, there are many foods that contain calcium. Most well-known is dairy products. And leafy green vegetables have high amounts of calcium, too

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