Calcium supplements are taken by individuals who are unable to get enough calcium in their regular diet or who have a need for more calcium. They are using to prevent or treat few conditions that may cause hypocalcemia - not enough calcium in the blood. The body needs calcium to make strong bones. Calcium is also needed for the heart, muscles and nervous system to work properly.
The bones serve as a storage site for the body's calcium. They are continuously giving up calcium to the bloodstream and then replacing it as the body's need for calcium changes from day to day. When there is not enough calcium in the blood to be using by the heart and other organs, your body will take the needed calcium from the bones. When you eat foods rich in calcium, the calcium will be restored to the bones and the balance between your blood and bones will be maintained.
Pregnant women, nursing mothers, children and adolescents may need more calcium than they normally get from eating calcium-rich foods. Adult women may take calcium supplements to help prevent a bone disease called osteoporosis. Osteoporosis, which causes thin, porous, easily broken bones, may occur in women after menopause, but may sometimes occur in elderly men also. Osteoporosis in women past menopause is thought to be causing by a reduced amount of ovarian estrogen - a female hormone. However, a diet low in calcium for many years, especially in the younger adult years, may add to the risk of developing it. Other bone diseases in child and adults are also treated with calcium supplements.
Calcium supplements may also be using for other conditions as determined by your health care professional.
Injectable calcium is aplaying only by or under the supervision of your health care professional. Other forms of calcium are available without a prescription.
Calcium supplements are available in the following dosage forms:
A calcium ``salt'" contains calcium along with another substance, such as carbonate or gluconate. Some calcium salts have more calcium - elemental calcium than others. For example, the amount of calcium in calcium carbonate is greater than that in calcium gluconate. To give you an idea of how various calcium supplements vary in calcium content, the following chart explains how many tablets of each type of supplement will provide 1000 milligrams of elemental calcium. When you look for a calcium supplement, be sure the number of milligrams on the label refers to the amount of elemental calcium and not to the strength of each tablet.
| Calcium carbonate | Calcium citrate | Calcium gluconate | Calcium lactate | Calcium phosphate, dibasic | Calcium phosphate, tribasic | Infants and children Birth to 3 years of age | 4 to 6 years of age | 7 to 10 years of age | Adolescent and adult males | Adolescent and adult females | Pregnant females | Breast-feeding females | Nonfat dry milk, reconstituted - 1 cup | Lowfat, skim, or whole milk - 1 cup | Yogurt - 1 cup | Sardines with bones - 3 ounces | Ricotta cheese, part skim - 1/2 cup | Salmon, canned, with bones - 3 ounces | Cheese, Swiss - 1 ounce | Cheese, cheddar - 1 ounce | Cheese, American - 1 ounce | Cottage cheese, lowfat - 1 cup | Tofu - 4 ounces | Shrimp - 1 cup | Ice milk - 3/4 cup |
Do not use bonemeal or dolomite as a source of calcium . The Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings that bonemeal and dolomite could be dangerous because these products may contain lead. Brand NamesSome commonly using brand names are: In the USA
In Canada
For quick reference, the following calcium supplements are numbered to match the corresponding brand names. This information applies to the following: 1. Calcium Acetate - KAL-see-um ASa-tate† 2. Calcium Carbonate - KAL-see-um KAR-boh-nate 3. Calcium Chloride - KAL-see-um KLOR-ide 4. CalciumCitrate - KAL-see-umSIH-trayt† 5. CalciumGlubionate - KAL-see-umgloo-BY-oh-nate 6. CalciumGluceptate - KAL-see-umgloo-SEP-tate† 7. Calcium Gluceptate and Calcium Gluconate - KAL-see-um gloo-SEP-tate and KAL-see-um GLOO-coh-nate* 8. CalciumGluconate - KAL-see-um GLOO-coh-nate 9. Calcium Glycerophosphate and Calcium Lactate - KAL-see-um gliss-er-o-FOS-fate and KAL-see-um LAK-tate† 10. CalciumLactate - KAL-see-um LAK-tate 11. Calcium Lactate-Gluconate and Calcium Carbonate - KAL-see-um LAK-tate GLOO-coh-nate and KAL-see-um KAR-boh-nate* 12. Dibasic Calcium Phosphate - dy-BAY-sic KAL-see-um FOS-fate† 13. Tribasic Calcium Phosphate - try-BAY-sic KAL-see-um FOS-fate† Note:This information does not apply to calciumcarbonate using as an antacid. * Not commercially available in the USA † Not commercially available in Canada Generic name product may be available in the USA Generic name product may be available in CanadaIbuprofen Children's Ibuprofen Cold & Sinus Ibu-profen Cold & Sinus Icy Hot Arthritis Therapy Idamycin PFS Inderal LA |