Calcium supplement side effects
Also called: calcium constipation, calcium kidney stones
What it means
These are the unwanted effects some people get from calcium pills, most often constipation, bloating, gas, and a higher chance of kidney stones in people who are prone to them. They're usually dose-related and often improve with a different form or timing.
If a supplement upsets your stomach or raises stone risk, you may take it less consistently, which matters more to your bones than the mild discomfort itself.
Calcium supplements are generally well tolerated, but the most common complaints are digestive: constipation, gas, bloating, and stomach upset. Calcium carbonate tends to cause more of these issues than calcium citrate, and taking supplements with food can help some people tolerate them better.
A less common but more serious concern is kidney stones. Research has found that calcium from supplements, taken in larger doses without food, is more strongly linked to kidney stone risk than calcium from food sources. People with a personal history of kidney stones are often advised to be extra cautious with supplemental calcium.
Other considerations include the theoretical concern that very high supplemental calcium intake could affect cardiovascular health, though evidence here is mixed and not settled. Because total daily calcium needs vary by person, and too much can cause problems just as too little can, it's worth discussing your specific dose and form with your doctor rather than guessing on your own.
Calcium pill side effects often fade with a different form or timing, so don't skip doses over mild discomfort.
Where this leads
WordWondering how to avoid that stomach upset? Here's how adjusting when and how you take calcium can help your body use it better.
Related words
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Education only, not medical advice. Decisions about tests, medications and treatment belong with your own doctor. OsteoStrong does not diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
