Calcium supplements: too much of a good thing?

Negative health effects linked to taking too much supplemental calcium are on the rise, according to a commentary appearing in Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN). The incidence of the so-called milk-alkali or calcium-alkali syndrome is growing in large part because of widespread use of over-the-counter calcium and vitamin D supplements. Stanley Goldfarb, MD and Ami Patel, MD (University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine) recommend changing the name of the milk-alkali syndrome to the calcium-alkali syndrome because the condition is now associated with a large intake of calcium, not milk.

According to the authors, the obvious preventive strategy against the calcium-alkali syndrome is to limit the intake of calcium to no more than 1.2 to 1.5 grams per day. "Calcium supplements taken in the recommended amounts are not only safe but are quite beneficial. Taken to excess is the problem," said Dr. Goldfarb. "Even at the recommended dose, careful monitoring of any medication is wise and yearly determinations of blood calcium levels for those patients taking calcium supplements or vitamin D is a wise approach," he added.

Bonnie - finally, somebody other than me steps up to tell everyone that too much calcium is not a good thing! Excess calcium can build up in soft tissue anywhere in the body (calcification) as well as create mineral deficiencies. If you are not sure how much calcium you are taking and suspect it may be too much, please ask your licensed health professional.