Your body needs adequate amounts of calcium to function properly. It keeps bones and teeth strong, plays a role in helping nerve signals travel through the body and helps maintain blood pressure. It must be present for the muscles to contract and it is involved in the secretion of some hormones and enzymes. However, too much calcium in the body can cause problems. Supplementation of any vitamin, mineral or herb should always be done under a doctor's supervision to avoid adverse reactions.
Irregular Heartbeat
When calcium supplements are taken as prescribed by a health care provider they rarely cause side effects. If taken in large doses, however, health problems can occur warns the Mayo Clinic. Since calcium is involved in regulating nerve impulses through the body and in the expansion and contraction of blood vessels, too much of it can lead to a fast or irregular heart beat. Dizziness and fainting spells may also occur. A pulse that is very fast or very slow, confusion and fatigue may be a sign of calcium overdose, and any changes to heart rate or mental status while taking calcium supplements should be evaluated by a physician.
Reduced Kidney Function
Most Americans do not get enough calcium in their diets, but it is possible to overdose through diet and/or supplementation, states the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Insitutes of Health. Too much calcium can strain the kidneys and lead to kidney stones, impaired kidney function and it can interfere with the absorption of other nutrients such as iron, zinc, magnesium and phosphorus.
In general it is not recommended to consume any more than 2,500 mg per day and that amount may be too high for some. For safety, talk to a doctor or registered dietitian to establish what a safe intake of calcium is for you and if supplementation is even needed.
Constipation
Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet can provide all of the calcium the body needs and the New York State Department of Health suggests only using supplements in cases where diet needs to be restricted.
If a supplement is required, taking it may cause constipation, gas, nausea and/or vomiting. To help remedy this there are different forms of calcium and different pills have different amounts of the mineral, which means that some pills may be better tolerated than others. It may be necessary to try a few to see which cause the least side effects for you.
In addition, getting enough fiber in your diet while taking calcium supplements can help to keep your digestive system on track. To increase your fiber intake make sure to consume fruits, vegetables and whole grains daily and drink six to eight glasses of water every day.
Interferes with Other Medications
Calcium supplements can hinder the effectiveness or absorption of many medications, so a doctor should be consulted before adding calcium to your medication regimen. This includes some antibiotics, iron supplements, thyroid medications, drugs to manage acid reflux and others. In addition, the National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends staying within dosage guidelines, because higher doses do not provide additional health benefits.
To help avoid problems it is best to only take about 500 to 600 mg of calcium at one time and calcium is better tolerated if taken with food. When using supplements look for chewable or liquid forms as they are more easily digested.
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