Taking calcium for osteoporosis
How can I get enough calcium in my daily diet?
Many foods contain high amounts of calcium. It is important that you also get enough vitamin D and phosphorus along with calcium to help your body absorb the calcium. The following table shows foods that are rich in calcium.
Calcium-rich foods Food Serving size Calcium (mg) per serving Yogourt (low-fat) 225 g (8 oz) 345–448
Yogourt (plain) 225 g (8 oz) 275–415
Sardines in oil 85 g (3 oz) 325
Milk (skim, 1%, 2%, and whole) 240 mL (1 cup) 276–349
Cheddar cheese 28 g (1 oz) 204
Tofu (if made with calcium sulfate) 120 mL (1/2 cup) 125–861
Turnip greens (boiled) 120 mL (1/2 cup) 197
Canned salmon (with bones) 85 g (3 oz) 188
Cottage cheese (1% milk fat) 240 mL (1 cup) 138 Ice cream 120 mL (1/2 cup) 92
Broccoli (raw) 240 mL (1 cup) 43
The best source of calcium is milk fortified with vitamin D. Four glasses a day provide 1,200 mg of calcium. Other good sources of calcium include shrimp, blackstrap molasses, calcium-fortified tofu, and almonds. You can also buy foods that have been calcium-fortified, such as cereals, orange juice, and soy milk. Read the food label to know how much calcium was added.
Because most people get only half the calcium they need from their diet, many people need to take a calcium supplement. Everyone who has been diagnosed with osteoporosis should take calcium and vitamin D supplements in addition to eating a diet rich in these nutrients.
Types of calcium supplements include:
- Calcium carbonate, which is 40% elemental calcium.
- Calcium citrate, which is 21% elemental calcium. While lower in elemental calcium than calcium carbonate, calcium citrate is easier to digest and does not cause constipation as much as other types of calcium supplements.
- Calcium gluconate and calcium lactate, which contain a low amount of elemental calcium.
The following table shows examples of calcium supplements. Some of these products include vitamin D. Be sure to take vitamin D with calcium, either in combination or separately, to help your body absorb the calcium into your bones.
Types of calcium supplements Product name Calcium in each tablet Apo-Cal 625/1,250 mg calcium carbonate Caltrate (tablets or chewables) 600 mg calcium carbonate Citracal Calcium Citrate Plus D, Coated Caplets 315 mg calcium citrate Calcite/Calcite D-500 500/1,250 mg calcium carbonate Gramcal 1,000 mg calcium carbonate, calcium gluconate Os-Cal 500 mg calcium carbonate Tums/Tums Extra Strength 500/750 mg calcium carbonate Viactiv Soft Calcium Chews plus D 500 mg calcium carbonate Take the number of tablets per day that satisfies your daily recommended amount of calcium based on your age and health condition. You should not get more than 2,500 mg per day of calcium, whether it is from supplements or food. Calcium supplements with vitamin D may slightly increase your risk of kidney stones.2
Test Your Knowledge
I am 35 years old and drink 2 glasses of milk per day. That's enough calcium to reduce my risk of bone loss.
I am a woman older than 65 and do not eat dairy products. I can get enough calcium by taking a good calcium supplement along with getting enough vitamin D to help my body absorb the calcium.
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| Author: | Douglas Dana Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: February 21, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Carla J. Herman, MD, MPH - Internal Medicine Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine | |
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