Calcium is an important mineral that is beneficial for the growth and maintenance of bones and teeth. Calcium can be obtained from several types of food, such as milk and its processed products, green vegetables, sardines, and salmon.
In addition to maintaining healthy bones and teeth, calcium is also needed to support the work of the nervous system, blood clotting, and muscle contraction. Lack of this mineral can cause stunted child growth and trigger various diseases, such as rickets, osteomalacia, and osteoporosis.
Calcium supplements can be given when calcium intake from food is felt to be lacking or when the body's need for calcium increases.
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What is Calcium?
| group | Mineral supplements |
| Category | Free medicine |
| Benefit | Prevent and overcome calcium deficiency |
| Consumed by | Adults and children |
| Calcium for pregnant and lactating women | Category A: Controlled studies in pregnant women have shown no risk to the fetus, and it is unlikely that harm to the fetus is possible. Calcium is known to be absorbed into breast milk. For women who are breastfeeding, follow the instructions for use and the dosage given by your doctor when taking this medicine. |
| Drug form | Tablets, capsules and syrup |
Precautions Before Using Calcium
- Tell your doctor if you have an allergy to calcium or any of the ingredients in calcium supplement products.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy, so that your calcium dose can be adjusted.
- Do not take calcium supplements without your doctor's advice if you have kidney disease, heart disease, sarcoidosis, bone tumors, prostate cancer, hypercalcemia, or hypercalciuria.
- Tell your doctor if you have other mineral deficiencies, such as iron, magnesium, zinc and phosphate.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking medicines for diabetes, heart disease, and epilepsy.
- If you have an allergic reaction or overdose after taking calcium supplements, see your doctor immediately.
Dosage and Rules for Use of Calcium
Calcium supplements are available in tablet and syrup form. This supplement can be used as an addition to meet daily calcium needs, overcome calcium deficiency, lower phosphate levels, and neutralize stomach acid.
In general, the following are calcium dosages based on their intended use:
Overcoming calcium deficiency
Dosage of calcium supplements to overcome calcium deficiency are:
- Adults: 0.5–4 g per day, divided in 1–3 doses.
- Children: 0.5–1 g per day.
Lowering phosphate levels in patients with chronic renal failure
Patients with chronic renal failure usually have excess phosphate (hyperphosphatemia), requiring calcium supplements. The dosage is as follows:
- Adults: 3–7 g per day. The dose is divided and adjusted according to the patient's phosphate level.
Overcoming increased gastric acid levels
A number of digestive disorders, such as heartburn and colitis, can cause stomach acid levels to rise, so calcium supplements are sometimes needed. The doses to be given are:
- Adult: 0.5–3 g when symptoms occur. The maximum dose is 7.5 g per day, for up to 2 weeks.
- Children: 0.4–0.8 g when symptoms occur. The dose for children over 12 years of age is the same as the adult dose.
Normal Daily Needs of Calcium
The nutritional adequacy rate (RDA) for calcium depends on the age and condition of each person. The following is the RDA for calcium by age:
- 0-6 months: 200 mg per day
- 7-12 months: 260 mg per day
- 1-3 years: 700 mg per day
- 4-8 years: 1,000 mg per day
- 9-18 years: 1,300 mg per day
- 19-50 years: 1,000 mg per day, including in pregnant and lactating women
- 50 years and over: 1,000 mg per day
How to Consume Calcium Correctly
Calcium supplements are taken to complement the body's need for this mineral, not as a substitute for nutrients from food. Therefore, not everyone needs it.
Calcium supplements are needed if calcium intake from food alone is not enough, the body needs more calcium, or there are certain diseases that interfere with calcium absorption or increase calcium requirements.
In general, calcium supplements are needed by people who have the following conditions:
- Suffer from calcium deficiency or deficiency (hypokalemia), chronic kidney failure, or osteoporosis.
- Suffering from digestive disorders, such as colitis or celiac disease, which reduces calcium absorption.
- Follow a vegan diet.
- Suffer from lactose intolerance and limit consumption of dairy products.
- Consuming excessive protein or sodium in the long term, so that the body excretes more calcium.
- Taking corticosteroid drugs in the long term.
- Already menopause.
If you have the above conditions, consult your doctor to find out whether or not you need to take calcium supplements. The doctor will also determine the dose of calcium supplements according to your needs and conditions.
Calcium supplements are recommended to be taken with meals for optimal absorption. Swallow the supplement tablet with the help of water.
The frequency of taking calcium supplements should be evenly distributed throughout the day so that the effect is optimal. Taking large amounts of calcium at once can make it difficult to digest and trigger side effects.
In order to maximize the benefits of this supplement, choose a calcium supplement product that suits your needs. Supplements with calcium carbonate content had the highest calcium levels, followed by calcium citrate, and calcium lactate.
In addition, you are recommended to take calcium supplements with vitamin D. Vitamin D can help calcium absorption. Vitamin D is usually already contained in calcium supplement products.
Calcium Interaction with Other Drugs
The following are some of the interactions that may occur when calcium supplements are used with other drugs:
- Decreased effectiveness of bisphosphonates, quinolone antibiotics, tetracycline, levothyroxine, phenytoin, and tiludronate disodium.
- Increased risk of hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria when used with thiazide diuretics.
- Decreased effectiveness of calcium supplements due to increased excretion of calcium from the body, when used with antacid drugs.
- Decreased absorption of calcium by the body, when used with laxatives.
- Increased risk of arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), if used with digoxin.
Calcium Side Effects and Dangers
If taken in high doses, calcium supplements can cause side effects such as:
- burp
- bloating
- Constipation
These side effects are usually temporary and can be relieved by drinking lots of water or eating a high-fiber diet. If the side effects are severe or do not subside, check with your doctor.