Calcium lactate is a calcium compound, or salt, that is found in some foods and also used as a supplemental form of calcium. Calcium lactate has a lower amount of elemental calcium, or calcium available for absorption by your body, than many other calcium salts, including calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate and calcium citrate.
Function
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. Approximately 99 percent of the calcium stored in the body is found in the teeth and bones, where it plays essential roles in bone formation, growth and remodeling. The other 1 percent of the calcium stored in the body is found in the blood, intracellular fluids and muscle tissue and is integral to muscle contraction, blood vessel expansion and contraction, hormone and enzyme secretion and nervous system function.
Dosing
The body absorbs supplemental calcium lactate more easily when it is taken with food. Elemental calcium makes up only 13 percent of calcium lactate, meaning that for every 100 mg of calcium lactate you consume, you're only getting 13 mg of elemental calcium. Calcium carbonate, the most common form of supplemental calcium, contains 40 percent elemental calcium. Calcium lactate supplements should list the amount of elemental calcium they contain on their labels.
The recommended dietary allowance of elemental calcium is 1,000 mg per day for adults 19 to 50 and 1,200 mg per day for adults older than 50.
Adequate vitamin D intake aids in calcium absorption.
Side Effects
Consuming supplemental calcium lactate may cause side effects, including nausea, vomiting, anorexia, constipation, dry mouth or increased thirst and frequent or increased urination.
Hypercalcemia, or elevated blood calcium levels, can cause even more serious side effects, including abdominal pain, muscle weakness, muscle and joint pain, confusion, lethargy and fatigue. If you experience any of these symptoms and are taking supplemental calcium lactate, contact your physician immediately.
Considerations
Do not take calcium lactate without consulting a physician if you have ever had kidney stones, suffer from parathyroid gland disease, already take another calcium supplement or calcium-containing antacid or if you are taking a tetracycline antibiotic, digoxin or a vitamin D supplement.
Warning
Never take supplements, including calcium lactate, without consulting your physician.
Calcium lactate supplements can cause an allergic reaction. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include difficulty breathing, closing of the throat, hives and swelling of the lips, tongue or face.
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