Is taking calcium harmful to the stomach?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor I Vo Thi Thuy Trang - Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.
Reasonable calcium supplementation is one of the most effective ways to protect bones and joints. In addition to using fresh foods rich in calcium, taking this supplement is also very popular. However, some people have questioned whether calcium intake is harmful to the stomach? What is the best way to take calcium?

1. Is taking calcium bad for the stomach?

Calcium is a mineral that plays an indispensable role in our body. This substance makes up 99% of bones, nails and teeth; from 1.5 to 2% of body weight and about 1% in blood. Calcium always has more than any other mineral in the human body. In addition, calcium can also combine with phosphorus to help the structure of bones and teeth become stronger.
Therefore, daily calcium supplementation for the body becomes extremely important and necessary. Among the ways to supplement calcium, calcium intake has attracted a lot of attention. However, besides the convenience, there are many people wondering whether drinking calcium is harmful to the stomach? According to many prestigious scientific studies in the world about calcium, taking this mineral by mouth is extremely safe for the stomach of most people.
How to supplement calcium orally will help our body get enough nutrients needed during the day. Moreover, taking calcium also helps us easily combine with other nutrients such as phosphorus, vitamin D, iron, ... so that the body will easily absorb nutrients and develop better.

2. What is the best way to drink calcium?

Usually, each specific individual needs a doctor's examination and clear indications about how to take calcium properly and safely. Currently on the market there are many types of calcium for each body type, such as calcium carbonate, calcium gluconate, calcium citrate, ... in combination with vitamin D or not. Therefore, if you want to choose the right type of calcium to supplement, the best option is through the opinion of a medical professional.
In addition to choosing the right type of calcium, taking the right dose is also something to pay attention to. According to doctors, each person should prioritize getting enough calcium from daily food sources. Only some cases need to take calcium supplements to meet the required amount of calcium, help bones develop strong. The appropriate dose of calcium supplements should also be based on age and health status, specifically as follows:
Children aged 0-6 months need 200 mg; Children from 7 to 12 months old need to supplement 260 mg; Children from 1 to 3 years old supplement 700 mg; Children 4 - 8 years old supplement about 1,000 mg; Children from 9 to 18 years old supplement about 1,300 mg; People aged 19 - 50 supplement about 1,000 mg; People from 51 - 70 years old supplement about 1,000 - 1,500 mg; People 71 years of age and older need at least 1,200 mg of calcium per day.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that pregnant women get between 1,500 and 2,000 mg of calcium per day. Start taking calcium at this dose from the 20th week until the end of pregnancy. Supplementing with the necessary amount of calcium will support pregnant women to avoid preeclampsia, which often occurs during pregnancy, leading to high blood pressure and many adverse effects on the baby.

3. Notes when taking calcium

After obtaining the appropriate dose and type of calcium, users also need to pay attention to the notes on calcium intake:
Should drink calcium in the morning: This is the most suitable time for calcium metabolism. At the same time, when the body begins to work under the morning sun, it will both limit calcium accumulation and increase vitamin D, which is beneficial for calcium absorption. Should not be abused: Excessive calcium supplementation has the risk of leading to diseases harmful to the body such as kidney stones, constipation, arterial calcification... Drug interactions: Calcium can occur from mild interactions. come strongly with some antibiotics, blood pressure drugs that block calcium channels ... Therefore, people should avoid supplementing these drugs at the same time with calcium. It is advisable to divide the amount of calcium needed during the day because our body cannot absorb a lot of calcium at the same time. Calcium should not be taken on an empty stomach, ideally about 1 hour after a meal. Regardless of your age and subject, it is important to supplement with the right amount of calcium. In addition to using fresh food every day, taking calcium is also a very effective supplement. However, if you want to know how to take calcium safely and without harm to the body, each person needs specific instructions and indications from a doctor.
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