Lactose intolerance can cause you to need to follow a special diet to help prevent symptoms associated with your condition. This can lead to deficiencies in several minerals, including calcium. If you are lactose intolerant, taking a liquid calcium supplement can help prevent deficiencies, but these supplements must be taken correctly. Talk to your doctor before taking calcium or other supplements.
Lactose Intolerance and Calcium
If you are lactose intolerant, you produce low levels of the enzyme lactase. Lactase is needed to break down the sugar lactose, found in most dairy products. To manage your symptoms, you may need to limit or eliminate dairy products from your diet. However, this can make it difficult for you to get enough calcium in your diet, as dairy products are a major source of calcium.
Calcium Supplements
One way you can prevent calcium deficiencies if you are lactose intolerant is to take calcium supplements. Calcium supplements come in a variety of forms, including pills, chewable supplements and liquids. Chewable and liquid calcium supplements are often better absorbed because they are broken down before they reach your stomach, making it easier for your intestines to absorb the calcium. Liquid calcium supplements often come in the form of calcium carbonate.
Proper Use
When taking a liquid calcium supplement, try to use well-known brands or brands that have the USP or United States Pharmacopeia symbol, as these are usually higher quality. Your body will absorb your calcium supplement better if you take it in doses of 500 mg or less, several times each day, as opposed to one very large dose. Avoid taking calcium supplements along with iron or medications that need to be taken on an empty stomach.
Considerations
Talk to your doctor before you take any sort of calcium supplement. Getting too much calcium, either from your diet or from supplements, can cause your calcium levels to get too high, which can interfere with the function of your heart, muscles and nervous system. You may also be able to get all the calcium you need from non-dairy foods, such as rhubarb, green vegetables, fortified orange juice and fish.
