Calcium

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    Daryl Nault

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    Giulia Guerrini, Conni Covington
    Last Updated: June 9, 2025

    Calcium is a macromineral that can be obtained through the diet, particularly in dairy products and, to a lesser extent, vegetables. It’s primarily used to support bone health, and there is some evidence that it supports cardiovascular health and women’s health.

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    218,403 participants in 17 trials and 9 meta-analyses

    Overview

    Dosage information

    Formulation:

    Supplemental calcium is usually recommended when dietary calcium is insufficient, and it is most frequently found as calcium carbonate and calcium citrate.[1][2] Forms of calcium supplements that may also be available include calcium phosphate, calcium lactate, calcium gluconate, and coral calcium.[1] Different forms of oral calcium supplements have their own benefits and drawbacks. Coral calcium and calcium citrate, for example, may be better absorbed than calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate is, on the other hand, less expensive than other forms, making it more accessible.[3][4] Standalone calcium citrate supplements may be more readily used by the body than calcium carbonate. The exception to this seems to be in calcium-fortified foods, where calcium carbonate is absorbed better.[5]

    Range of dosages studied:

    Current meta-analyses have reported on studies that cover a wide range of calcium supplementation dosages, from a low dose of 162 mg per day all the way up to 7,700 mg per day. In many of these studies, calcium was taken with vitamin D3 ranging from 400 to 1,000 IU per day. Ranges studied for skeletal health, pregnancy-related concerns, digestion, metabolism, and body mass are similar (about 200 to 2,000 mg per day), but cardiovascular health uses a higher range (500 to 7,700 mg per day).

    Examine Database: Calcium

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    Frequently asked questions

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    Research Breakdown

    Examine Database References

    1. PMS Symptoms - Yonkers KA, Pearlstein TB, Gotman NA pilot study to compare fluoxetine, calcium, and placebo in the treatment of premenstrual syndromeJ Clin Psychopharmacol.(2013 Oct)
    2. PMS Symptoms - Masoumi SZ, Ataollahi M, Oshvandi KEffect of Combined Use of Calcium and Vitamin B6 on Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms: a Randomized Clinical TrialJ Caring Sci.(2016 Mar 1)
    3. PMS Symptoms - Penland JG, Johnson PEDietary calcium and manganese effects on menstrual cycle symptomsAm J Obstet Gynecol.(1993 May)
    4. Lipid Absorption - Govers MJ, Termont DS, Lapré JA, Kleibeuker JH, Vonk RJ, Van der Meer RCalcium in milk products precipitates intestinal fatty acids and secondary bile acids and thus inhibits colonic cytotoxicity in humansCancer Res.(1996 Jul 15)
    5. Fecal Bile Acids - Ditscheid B, Keller S, Jahreis GFaecal steroid excretion in humans is affected by calcium supplementation and shows gender-specific differencesEur J Nutr.(2009 Feb)
    6. Bone Mineral Density - Liu Y, Le S, Liu Y, Jiang H, Ruan B, Huang Y, Ao X, Shi X, Fu X, Wang SThe effect of calcium supplementation in people under 35 years old: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Elife.(2022-Sep-27)
    7. Bone Mineral Density - Agustina Malpeli, María Apezteguia, José L Mansur, Alicia Armanini, Melisa Macías Couret, Rosa Villalobos, Marta Kuzminczuk, Horacio F GonzalezCalcium supplementation, bone mineral density and bone mineral content. Predictors of bone mass changes in adolescent mothers during the 6-month postpartum periodArch Latinoam Nutr.(2012 Mar)
    8. Testosterone - Vedat Cinar, Abdulkerim Kasim Baltaci, Rasim Mogulkoc, Mehmet KilicTestosterone levels in athletes at rest and exhaustion: effects of calcium supplementationBiol Trace Elem Res.(Summer 2009)
    9. PMS Symptoms - Shobeiri F, Araste FE, Ebrahimi R, Jenabi E, Nazari MEffect of calcium on premenstrual syndrome: A double-blind randomized clinical trialObstet Gynecol Sci.(2017 Jan)
    10. PMS Symptoms - Ghanbari Z, Haghollahi F, Shariat M, Foroshani AR, Ashrafi MEffects of calcium supplement therapy in women with premenstrual syndromeTaiwan J Obstet Gynecol.(2009 Jun)
    11. PMS Symptoms - Thys-Jacobs S, Starkey P, Bernstein D, Tian JCalcium carbonate and the premenstrual syndrome: effects on premenstrual and menstrual symptoms. Premenstrual Syndrome Study GroupAm J Obstet Gynecol.(1998 Aug)
    12. PMS Symptoms - Sutariya S, Talsania N, Shah C, Patel M.An interventional study (calcium supplementation & health education) on premenstrual syndrome - effect on premenstrual and menstrual symptomsNat J Com Med.()
    13. PMS Symptoms - Mandana Z, Azar AComparison of the Effect of Vit E, VitB6, Calcium and Omega-3 on the Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome: A Clinical Randomized TrialAnnu Res Rev Biol.()
    14. PMS Symptoms - Samieipour, s, et alEFFECT OF CALCIUM AND VITAMIN B1 ON THE SEVERITY OF PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME: A RANDOMIZED CONTROL TRIALInt J Pharm Tech.()
    15. PMS Symptoms - Thys-Jacobs S, Ceccarelli S, Bierman A, Weisman H, Cohen MA, Alvir JCalcium supplementation in premenstrual syndrome: a randomized crossover trialJ Gen Intern Med.(1989 May-Jun)
    16. Blood Pressure - Amer SA, Abo-Elnour DE, Abbas A, Abdelrahman AS, Hamdy HM, Kenawy S, Sarhan MM, Mohamed OH, Elnaghy MY, Baker M, El-Gayar RM, El-Sayed OS, Asla MMCalcium, magnesium, and vitamin D supplementations as complementary therapy for hypertensive patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Complement Med Ther.(2025 Mar 5)
    17. Blood Pressure - Crowther CA, Hiller JE, Pridmore B, Bryce R, Duggan P, Hague WM, Robinson JSCalcium supplementation in nulliparous women for the prevention of pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia and preterm birth: an Australian randomized trial. FRACOG and the ACT Study GroupAust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol.(1999 Feb)
    18. Pre-Eclampsia Risk - Villar J, Abdel-Aleem H, Merialdi M, Mathai M, Ali MM, Zavaleta N, Purwar M, Hofmeyr J, Nguyen TN, Campódonico L, Landoulsi S, Carroli G, Lindheimer M, World Health Organization Calcium Supplementation for the Prevention of Preeclampsia Trial GroupWorld Health Organization randomized trial of calcium supplementation among low calcium intake pregnant womenAm J Obstet Gynecol.(2006 Mar)
    19. All-Cause Mortality - Sim MG, Teo YN, Teo YH, Syn NL, Li TYW, Yeo LLL, Kong WKF, Tan BYQ, Yip JW, Wong RCC, Poh KK, Yeo TC, Sharma VK, Chai P, Chan MY, Sia CHAssociation Between Calcium Supplementation and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Heart Lung Circ.(2023 Oct)
    20. Pre-Eclampsia Risk - Hofmeyr GJ, Lawrie TA, Atallah AN, Duley L, Torloni MRCalcium supplementation during pregnancy for preventing hypertensive disorders and related problemsCochrane Database Syst Rev.(2014 Jun 24)
    21. Pre-Eclampsia Risk - Sibai BM, Ewell M, Levine RJ, Klebanoff MA, Esterlitz J, Catalano PM, Goldenberg RL, Joffe GRisk factors associated with preeclampsia in healthy nulliparous women. The Calcium for Preeclampsia Prevention (CPEP) Study GroupAm J Obstet Gynecol.(1997 Nov)
    22. Blood Pressure - Cormick G, Ciapponi A, Cafferata ML, Cormick MS, Belizán JMCalcium supplementation for prevention of primary hypertension.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2022 Jan 11)
    23. Infant Birth Weight - Buppasiri P, Lumbiganon P, Thinkhamrop J, Ngamjarus C, Laopaiboon M, Medley NCalcium supplementation (other than for preventing or treating hypertension) for improving pregnancy and infant outcomes.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2015 Feb 25)
    24. Infant Birth Weight - Mai-Lei Woo Kinshella, Shazmeen Omar, Kerri Scherbinsky, Marianne Vidler, Laura A Magee, Peter von Dadelszen, Sophie E Moore, Rajavel Elango, The Precise Conceptual Framework Working GroupEffects of Maternal Nutritional Supplements and Dietary Interventions on Placental Complications: An Umbrella Review, Meta-Analysis and Evidence MapNutrients.(2021 Jan 30)
    25. Pre-Eclampsia Risk - Zhu Q, Yu Q, Liu M, Wei YEffectiveness of calcium supplementation in the prevention of gestational hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.Pregnancy Hypertens.(2024 Dec)
    26. Weight - Cormick G, Ciapponi A, Harbron J, Perez SM, Vazquez P, Rivo J, Metzendorf MI, Althabe F, Belizán JMCalcium supplementation for people with overweight or obesity.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2024 May 9)