You eat your yogurt, exercise daily and chew that calcium supplement like a champ. Osteoporosis doesnt stand a chance youre a calcium superstar!<\/p>\n
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But, when it comes to calcium, its actually possible to have too much of a good thing: Calcium can build up to unhealthy levels in the bloodstream. And this hypercalcemia can cause a variety of problems ranging from not great to very serious. <\/p>\n
Dont toss your calcium supplements just yet, though. Endocrinologist Susan Williams, MD, explains what happens when calcium levels creep too high and how to strike a healthy balance. <\/p>\n
Calcium is key to a sturdy skeleton. Calcium is so important for the bones and teeth of growing children, but as adults, we sometimes forget how important it is throughout our lifetime, Dr. Williams says. <\/p>\n
Besides beefing up bones, calcium is critical for the healthy function of nerves and muscles, including the heart. <\/p>\n
Guidelines recommend a total of 1,000 milligrams per day for women until age 50 and for men until age 70. <\/p>\n
Past those birthdays, men and women should aim for 1,200 mg per day. (For context, a cup of milk or a serving of yogurt each has about 300 mg of calcium.)<\/p>\n
More is not better, however. Problems linked to excess calcium include:<\/p>\n
Soaring calcium levels can be triggered by a variety of diseases,including parathyroid problems and a number of cancers. Hypercalcemia can alsobe a side effect of certain prescription meds. <\/p>\n
But over-the-counter calcium medications can push you over the edge, too. Its surprisingly easy to overdo the calcium supplements especially if you consume a lot of dairy or otherwise get plenty from your food. Over-the-counter antacid chews and tablets pack a big calcium punch as well.<\/p>\n
On top of all that, high doses of vitamins A and D can also cause calcium levels to rise.<\/p>\n
Many people dont have obvious symptoms of hypercalcemia. But thesesigns hint that your calcium levels might be flying high:<\/p>\n
Luckily, hypercalcemia caused by supplements and antacids usuallyreverses quickly when you stop taking them, Dr. Williams says. Untreated,though, long-term hypercalcemia can be serious maybe even life-threatening. <\/p>\n
How can you make sure youre getting enough calcium withoutgoing overboard? <\/p>\n
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Read more:<\/p>\n
Are You Taking Too Many Calcium Supplements? - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" You eat your yogurt, exercise daily and chew that calcium supplement like a champ. Continue reading