USAGE AND DIRECTIONS
Rules of Thumb When Taking Calcium Supplements
- Ask your doctor about your current medications (some decrease calcium absorption).
- Don't smoke — it decreases calcium absorption.
- Limit caffeine intake, it can decrease calcium absorption.
- Do not mix caffeinated beverages with your supplement. The combination neutralizes the calcium.
- Avoid or limit alcohol — it can increase calcium loss
- It is a good idea to take your calcium twice a day, instead of in one dose, because your body can absorb only 600 mg of elemental calcium at a time
- Do not take calcium with iron, because it interferes with calcium absorption
- Avoid taking calcium supplements with high-fiber meals or bulk laxatives, as they can cut down the amount of calcium you absorb.
- Do not exceed 2,000 mg a day of elemental calcium. This may pose problems for your kidneys. If you have had kidney stones or have a family history of them, talk to your doctor before taking calcium supplements.
- If you have stomach problems and take Tagamet®, Pepcid®, Prolisec®, Nexium®, or Protonix®, you should make sure you use a supplement that is easily dissolvable in water like CitriCal® or NutraCal™. Other calcium supplements rely on stomach acids to break them down so the calcium can be absorbed.