Consuming the correct amount of calcium is necessary for strong bones and teeth, blood clotting and normal nerve and muscle function; however consuming too much calcium can lead to milk alkali syndrome. The Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) at the Institute of Medicine has established the Dietary Reference Intake for calcium, which includes values based on the Recommended Dietary Allowance, Adequate Intakes and Tolerable Upper Intake Levels.
Too Much Calcium
Excessive amounts of calcium in your blood can lead to milk-alkali syndrome. It's usually caused by excessive consumption of calcium supplements or antacids that contain large amounts of calcium, but according to MedlinePlus.com, it's also caused by excessive milk consumption. The condition may not have any symptoms, but it can result in calcium deposits in the kidneys. Milk-alkali syndrome is reversible if calcium intake is reduced before kidney damage occurs.
Calcium RDA
According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is the average daily level of intake that meets the nutrient needs of nearly all healthy individuals. Children age 1 to 3 need 700 mg calcium per day, children age 4 to 8 need 1,000 mg per day and children age 9 to 13 need 1,300 mg per day. Teens need 1,300 mg calcium per day and all adults need 1,000 mg per day. Women require more calcium, 1,200 mg per day at age 51 and both men and women need 1,200 mg after age 70.
Calcium UL
The Office of Dietary Supplements describes Tolerable Upper Intake Levels, or "UL," as the maximum daily intake unlikely to cause adverse health effects. The UL of calcium for babies up to 6 months of age is 1,000 mg per day and 1,500 mg per day for children age 7 to 12 months. The UL for children age 1 to 8 is 2,500 mg per day, for children 9 to 18 the UL is 3000 mg per day. Adults to age 50 can take up to 2,500 mg per day and adults over 50 can take up to 2,000 mg calcium per day.
Interactions with Medications
Consuming large amounts of calcium can also interfere with medications. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, calcium can interfere with bisphosphonates, some antibiotics, levothyroxine, phenytoins, tiludronate disodium and thiazide diuretics. Always speak with your doctor before taking calcium supplements. Supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Dietary sources of calcium include dairy products, bony fish and dark green vegetables.
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