Calcium is the most prevalent mineral in the human body and is the primary mineral component present in your teeth and skeletal system. Sometimes deposits of calcium can form in various areas of the body. The kidney, breast, aorta and shoulder joint are just some of the areas where calcium deposits commonly form. If you have calcium deposits, you may be tempted to decrease your calcium intake, but unless you're taking abnormally high amounts of calcium, that could be a bad idea.
Causes of Calcium Deposits
Many different factors contribute to the formation of calcium deposits, but dietary calcium intake does not appear to have a large influence on this condition. According to Mayo Clinic, breast calcifications can be caused by both malignant and benign conditions, such as cancer, mastitis and injury. Nephrocalcinosis, or calcium deposits in your kidneys, can be caused by disorders such as Alport syndrome, kidney transplant rejection or excess calcium in the blood due to parathyroidism. In some cases, such as calcium deposits around the shoulder, the causes are unknown.
Calcium Toxicity
There has never been a documented incident of hypercalcemia, or abnormally high blood calcium, caused by eating calcium-rich foods. Supplements, on the other hand, can cause your blood calcium levels to rise to toxic levels if taken in excessively high dosages. The symptoms of mild calcium toxicity include nausea, vomiting, thirst and frequent urination. More severe cases can cause coma and even death.
Calcium Intake and Calcium Deposits
Calcium deposits are not a common symptom of high blood calcium, although the Linus Pauling Institute notes a study that found that women who took calcium supplements were 20 percent more likely to have kidney stones, which are mostly made of calcium. According to the Southern California Orthopedic Institute, taking 1000 mg of calcium per day along with a balanced diet is a healthy approach, especially when you're passing middle age, and limiting your calcium intake is not an effective approach to eliminating calcium deposits.
Calcium Sources
Food sources that are rich in calcium include milk, cheese, tofu and bok choy.
There are many types of calcium and you should familiarize yourself with these before purchasing calcium supplements. Calcium citrate, for example, is a highly absorbable form of calcium that can be taken with or without food. Other forms, such as calcium ascorbate and calcium carbonate, are less readily absorbed by your body. Although the recommended daily allowance of calcium is 1000 mg for most adults, you should only take 500 mg of calcium at a time, as that is all your body can absorb in a single dose.
