Do Men Need A Calcium Supplement?

Loss of bone mass isn't a health issue that plagues just women. Men are susceptible to osteoporosis, as well. A balanced diet can provide plenty of calcium, but if you're a man who's concerned about bone loss, you may want to consider taking a supplement. The choice to add a calcium supplement can come with risk. Before making this decision, talk with your primary-care doctor.

Calcium and Osteoporosis in Men

Ninety-nine percent of the calcium in your body is in your bones and teeth. Daily intake of this mineral is imperative to your health. Initially, bone loss in men is gradual and often symptomless, whereas women lose mass at a rapid rate. By age 65 to 70, however, men and women lose bone mass at the same rate. Osteoporosis occurs when you lose too much bone mass, resulting in fragility and fractures. Your risk of osteoporosis increases with low levels of testosterone, unhealthy lifestyle habits like smoking and poor diet and diseases that affect your intestines.

When You Need a Supplement

The daily recommended intake of calcium for men ages 19 to 70 is 1,000 mg, and after age 70 it is 1,200 mg. The tolerable upper limit is 2,500 mg for men younger than 50 and 2,000 mg per day for men over 50. Dairy, beans and green vegetables all have calcium. A serving can offer 35 mg to 300 mg. If you do not consume enough calcium-containing foods, you may need a supplement. You may also need a supplement if you have a gastrointestinal disease and cannot absorb calcium properly. Consult your physician before adding a calcium supplement to your diet.

Calcium and Cancer in Men

Do not exceed the daily recommended calcium intake, because excess consumption could increase your risk of prostate cancer, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Research is ongoing and inconclusive. But you can maintain bone health and limit your cancer risk by following the recommended intakes set by the Institute of Medicine and your physician. When you're using a calcium supplement do not take too much at once, because you cannot absorb more than 500 mg at a time, according to the General Hospital Corp. of Massachusetts. Consult your physician on a dosing regimen before taking supplements.

Calcium and Vitamin D

You cannot properly absorb calcium without an adequate daily intake of vitamin D. Men ages 19 to 70 need 600 IU of vitamin D, and those over the age of 70 need 800 IU per day. Vitamin D is in fortified dairy products and can also be obtained from a multivitamin supplement.