Taking too much calcium can give you constipation. Common causes of constipation due to excessive calcium intake include eating too many dairy products, taking a calcium supplement that does not agree with you or using antacids. Although having constipation usually does not indicate a serious health problem, it could be a symptom of diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome or hypothyroidism. If you have constipation, contact your health professional for treatment options.
Constipation
If you have bowel movements less than three times a week, you have constipation as defined by the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. The stool you produce when you're constipated is typically hard, dry and small, and you may have to strain to get it out. Causes of constipation include too much calcium, a diet low in fiber and lack of exercise. Common treatments of constipation include eating a healthy high-fiber diet, drinking more water, exercising and taking stool softeners.
Too Much Calcium
The proper amount of calcium helps ensure that your body functions normally, but too much calcium can cause health problems. In extreme cases, you can develop hypercalcemia, which causes kidney malfunction and kidney stones. Less serious problems caused by too much calcium include constipation and interference with iron and zinc absorption. According to information from the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, the tolerable upper intake level of calcium is 2,500 mg per day for men and women ages 19 to 50. The recommended daily intake for the same demographic is 1,000 mg per day.
Calcium Supplements
Calcium supplements can produce constipation as a side effect. The active ingredient in calcium supplements is typically calcium carbonate or calcium citrate. You should take calcium carbonate with food to help your body absorb it properly. You can take calcium citrate with or without food because it's easier for your body to digest. If you get constipation from your calcium supplement, increase the amount of fluids you drink, and eat high-fiber foods such as bran cereal, as suggested by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Talk to your health professional about any side effects you get from calcium supplements.
Antacids
A common side effect of antacids is constipation. Antacids neutralize stomach acid and typically come in formulas containing calcium, aluminum or magnesium. When you take calcium-based antacids, do not take your dose with large amounts of milk or milk products to reduce the chance of side effects, including severe and continuing constipation, muscle pain and painful urination.
