Calcium As well as preventing osteoporosis, calcium is part of an overall treatment program, since it plays an important role in maintaining normal, healthy bone. Yet, national surveys have shown that many Americans are not consuming enough calcium. The National Academy of Science recommends that adequate calcium and vitamin D be taken daily by everyone. For adults, a calcium intake of 1,000 mg daily is recommended; for those with osteoporosis, 1,200 mg; and for those taking glucocorticoids (steroids), 1,500 mg. Calcium can be found in many foods, including dairy products, dark green leafy vegetables, and fortified juices. If you are unable to get enough calcium through your diet, your doctor can recommend an appropriate calcium supplement. Health Tips from Dr. Healy: Video: What you need to know about arthritis pain medication Choose another disease or condition... Allergic Rhinitis Allergies, Food Allergy & Asthma Center Alzheimer's Disease Anxiety Aortic Aneurysms Arrhythmia Arthritis, Osteo- (OA) Arthritis, Rheumatoid (RA) Asthma Atopic Dermatitis Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Back Pain Brain Tumor Bones, Joints & Muscles Center Breast Cancer Brain & Behavior Center Brain Tumor Cancer Center    Brain Tumor    Breast Cancer    Cancer Prevention    Clinical Trials    Colorectal Cancer    Endometrial Cancer    Living With and Beyond Cancer    Lung Cancer    Prostate Cancer    Skin Cancer Cardiomyopathy Cataracts Cholesterol Control Clinical Trials Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Colorectal Cancer Congenital Heart Disease Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes Center Diabetes, Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Digestive Disorders Center Eczema Endometrial Cancer Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Eye & Vision Center Fibromyalgia Food Allergies Gallstone Disease Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) GERD Glaucoma Hay Fever Headache Heart Center Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Hepatitis C High Blood Pressure Hypertension Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Impotence Insomnia Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Living With and Beyond Cancer Losing Weight Lung Cancer Macular Degeneration Memory Loss Osteoarthritis (OA) Osteoporosis Parkinson's Disease Peptic Ulcer Prediabetes Prostate Cancer Respiratory Disorders Center Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Sexual & Reproductive Health Center Sinusitis Skin Cancer Sleep Apnea Sleep Center Stroke Type 1 Diabetes Type 2 Diabetes Ulcerative Colitis (UC) Weight Control See the top online resources for information about bones, joints &, muscles More about osteoporosis Osteoporosis Clinical Trials-Related Information Email this page Print this section

The calcium in supplements needs to be easily absorbed by the body. You can be sure of this if the tablet dissolves almost entirely in a small glass of warm water or vinegar within 30 minutes. Also read the label to determine the actual amount of calcium in the supplement, which is usually referred to as elemental calcium. Since there are several different types of calcium and a variety of supplements available, you should discuss the choices with your doctor.

Some people are lactose intolerant and have difficulty digesting dairy products because they lack the enzyme lactase, which is needed to break down the milk sugar lactose. Milk fermented with certain bacteria (called acidophilus) is well tolerated, as are yogurt and hard cheeses. If you are lactose intolerant, you can treat lactose-containing foods with commercial preparations of lactase or buy milk products that are lactose free.

Vitamin D is essential because, without it, the body is unable to absorb calcium. The daily recommended dose is at least 400 IU and is contained in most multivitamins. There are very few dietary sources of vitamin D, so people not taking a multivitamin can choose a vitamin D supplement instead. Some calcium supplements contain vitamin D, but make sure to check the dose.