Calcium citrate is a type of calcium supplement taken by individuals who find it difficult to meet their calcium needs through diet alone. Calcium is important in creating the main structure in your bone, called hydroxyapatite, and keeping your bones healthy and strong. Calcium also plays a role in muscle contraction, helps your blood vessels contract and dilate, and ensures that nerve signals transmit correctly.
Basics
Calcium citrate is one of the most common types of calcium supplement that you can purchase over-the-counter. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, calcium citrate is the most easily digested form of calcium, although it does not contain as much elemental calcium, which is the type of calcium you absorb, as other forms of calcium supplements. You can increase the amount of calcium your body absorbs from a calcium citrate supplement by taking it with food. Calcium citrate is often the most costly form of calcium, as well.
Dosage
You should take calcium citrate in small doses of about 500 mg 2 to 3 times per day. You should consume 6 to 8 cups of water throughout the course of the day when you are taking calcium citrate supplements to help reduce your risk of developing one of the common side effects, which is constipation.
Side Effects
Some of the most common side effects of calcium citrate supplementation include nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, constipation, dry mouth, increased thirst and an increase in urine production. These side effects are usually mild and are not considered serious. If you experience hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, you may be having a life-threatening allergic reaction to calcium citrate and should contact your doctor immediately.
Warnings
Because of its potential to cause adverse side effects, you should only take calcium citrate under the supervision of your health care provider. It is important to consider the calcium you obtain from food when considering which type of supplement is right for you. The combined total of calcium from food and calcium supplementation should not exceed 2,500 mg per day. Consuming too much calcium for a prolonged period of time can lead to a potentially dangerous increase in the levels of calcium in your blood, a medical condition called hypercalcemia. You should discuss any medical conditions with your doctor before taking calcium citrate. If you have a history of developing kidney stones or a disorder of your parathyroid gland, you may not be able to take calcium citrate.
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