Although calcium is an important part of your diet, consuming too much calcium is not good for you. Calcium can be found in many foods, including dairy products and some vegetables, and it plays an important role in the body. Excessive calcium intake can cause your blood levels of calcium to get too high, resulting in hypercalcemia.
Calcium Tolerable Upper Limit
Many vitamins and minerals have what is known as a "tolerable upper limit," or TUL. The tolerable upper limit is the maximum amount most people can consume each day without developing any health problems or symptoms of a vitamin or mineral overdose. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, the TUL of calcium for adults between the ages of 18 and 50 is 2,500 mg per day, and for those over 50, the TUL is 2,000 mg. The TUL for children between the ages of 9 and 18 is 3,000 mg per day.
Calcium Roles
Many people know that calcium is important for maintaining the strength of your bones and teeth. Calcium is also an electrolyte, which means that it has an electrical charge when it is dissolved in your body. The amount of calcium in your body is important for nerve and muscle cells. Nerves send impulses using electrical signals, and these electrical signals are controlled, in part, by changing calcium levels. Your muscles also need calcium to be able to contract.
Hypercalcemia
If you get too much calcium in your diet, you may develop hypercalcemia, particularly if your kidneys aren't able to get all the calcium out via your urine. Hypercalcemia can cause nausea, thirst, fatigue, constipation, frequent urination and abdominal pain. Because high levels of calcium can also interfere with the function of your muscles and nerves, hypercalcemia can also lead to muscle weakness, lethargy, muscle pain and confusion.
Milk-Alkali Syndrome
Getting too much calcium, particularly if you drink a lot of milk or take large amounts of antacids, can result in a condition known as milk-alkali syndrome, MedlinePlus reports. Milk-alkali syndrome can cause calcium deposits to form in your kidneys and other tissues. Kidney stones made of calcium can cause loin, flank and abdominal pain as well as excessive urination. Ultimately, milk-alkali syndrome can result in kidney damage, which can be permanent, requiring dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant.
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