Consequences Of Too Much Calcium

Calcium is a mineral essential to bone and tooth health, and also vital for muscle contraction, including the contraction of the heart each time it beats. The Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences recommends both male and female adults between the ages of 19 and 50 consume about 1,000 mg of calcium per day. However, while it is important to consume enough calcium in the diet, some health concerns can arise from its over-consumption--more than 2,500 mg a day.

Hypercalcemia

Hypercalcemia is a condition caused by excessive calcium intake. When high doses of calcium are repeatedly consumed over a period of time, extra calcium accumulates in muscles and blood instead of bones and teeth. This condition's symptoms include loss of appetite, excessive thirst, muscle weakness, fatigue, frequent urination, nausea and abdominal pain. Contact your physician if you feel you may have an issue with calcium toxicity.

Kidney Stone Formation

High levels of calcium along with magnesium deficiency can lead to kidney stone formation. Calcium stones, a type of kidney stone, are caused by excessive calcium in the body. Dietary factors such as high levels of vitamin D in the body or digestive mis-absorption issues may prevent the body from releasing extra calcium through the urine. Symptoms of kidney stones include persistent urges to urinate, discolored urine, pains in the side and back and pain while urinating. Some fever and chills may be present if an infection has formed.

Heart Attack

Martha Grogan, M.D., of MayoClinic.com addresses the question of whether calcium supplementation increases the risk for heart attack in older women. She states that ''although more heart attacks occurred in women who took calcium supplements, the statistical analysis indicated that the difference could have been due to chance.'' She does not endorse the idea that heart attack is a toxicity symptom of calcium in the body.