What Is Calcium Carbonate?
Calcium carbonate supplements are among the most popular
dietary supplements available. It is used as an
antacid and as a calcium supplement. Among the various different types of calcium supplements, calcium carbonate is the least expensive.
Calcium carbonate works for indigestion or
heartburn by directly neutralizing stomach acid. It works as a dietary supplement by supplying the body with calcium.
Most of the calcium in the human body is stored in the bones and the teeth. While many people think of bones and teeth as permanent, unchanging structures, they are actually being constantly broken down and rebuilt. It is absolutely essential to keep a certain steady level of calcium in the blood. If blood calcium carbonate levels are too low, the body will break down bone and teeth to increase the blood calcium carbonate levels. If the blood levels are high, then the body uses the extra calcium carbonate to rebuild bone and teeth.
Is Calcium Carbonate Effective?
Calcium carbonate is very effective for some uses.
However, many uses have only a little scientific evidence in their favor, and some have almost none at all
(see Does Calcium Work? for more information).
Some people think that vitamins or minerals are naturally free of side effects. However, this is simply not the case.
Calcium carbonate has been reported to cause various side effects, including (but not limited to):
(Click Calcium Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Is Calcium Carbonate Safe?
Most people can safely take calcium carbonate, especially at reasonable dosages. However, some people may be more likely to experience problems due to calcium carbonate. Therefore, you should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking the supplement if you have:
- Achlorhydria (low or absent stomach acid)
- An overactive parathyroid gland (hyperparathyroidism)
- High phosphate levels in the blood (hyperphosphatemia)
- Low phosphate levels in the blood (hypophosphatemia)
- Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
- Kidney stones
- Sarcoidosis
- Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, minerals, and herbal supplements.
(Click Safety of Calcium for more information, including any available warnings and precautions.)
Because it has been studied quite a bit, good information about
calcium carbonate dosing is available. For some of the less-studied uses, the most effective (and safe) doses have not yet been established. Adequate Intakes (AIs) and Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL) have been established for the mineral.
When determining an appropriate dose for calcium carbonate, be sure to remember that every 1000 mg of calcium carbonate contains only 400 mg of elemental calcium.
What If I Take a Calcium Carbonate Overdose?
It is possible to take too much calcium carbonate. Overdose symptoms may vary, depending on factors such as the dosage and whether it was taken all at once (a single massive overdose) or over a long period of time (a chronic overdose).
