You need adequate amounts of calcium in your diet for the body to function properly. Calcium plays a role in the contraction of muscles; transmission of nervous signals; maintaining a regular heart rhythm; it must be present for your body to excrete certain hormones and enzymes and it helps keep your teeth and bones strong. If you do not get enough calcium through your diet, your physician may recommend taking supplements and your doctor can decide if Tums is a good option.
Calcium Types
Most adults should aim to get between 1,000 to 1,200 mg of calcium everyday. Not getting enough increases the risk of developing osteoporosis or a thinning of the bones. While it is best to obtain calcium through your diet there are supplements available. Calcium supplements contain different types of calcium and not types all are easily absorbed by the body. The two main forms of calcium are calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. There are also calcium coral supplements and other products made from fish. To ensure that your calcium supplement can be absorbed by the body, MedlinePlus recommends looking for products that contain the word "purified" or the United States Pharmacopeia symbol on the label.
Calcium Carbonate
The type of calcium found in Tums is calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate requires an acidic atmosphere to be properly absorbed so it needs to be taken on a full stomach, says the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Those with medical conditions or the elderly who tend to limit their food intake may not be getting all of the calcium that is in the Tums. Calcium citrate does not need an acidic atmosphere to be absorbed and it can be taken on a full or empty stomach, which means it may be a better option for some. Everyone's sensitivity to calcium is different and calcium carbonate may cause gas, bloating, cramping or other side effects while calcium citrate does not. However, the reverse may be true for someone else.
Elemental Calcium
When deciding what type of calcium to take it is important to read the label and look for the amount of elemental calcium that a product contains, notes the National Osteoporosis Foundation. Elemental calcium refers to the the actual amount of calcium in the supplement. Tums products can contain varying amounts of elemental calcium ranging from 200 mg to 400 mg per pill. When reading the label, notice how much is in a serving size and how many Tums make up a serving size. Given the low amounts of elemental calcium in some forms of Tums you may need to take several pills each day to meet your needs.
Other Sources
When possible, it is best to meet your calcium needs through food rather than pills such as Tums, reports the University of Arizona. Many dairy products contain 300 to 400 mg of calcium per serving and dark green leafy vegetables have 100 to 200 mg per cup. There are also many foods fortified with calcium such as breads, juices and soy products that provide 200 to 300 mg per serving. In addition, there are other calcium supplements that have higher amounts of elemental calcium in them than Tums does, so you do not need to take as many pills. The best bet is to shop around, compare various products and try them to see which ones you tolerate best.
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