Failure to take calcium tablets correctly might decrease their health benefits. Generally, it doesn't matter what time of day you take your calcium tablets, so long as you take them in line with the recommendations of your doctor or the supplement manufacturer. However, factors that relate to your body's absorption of calcium might affect when you should take your supplements.
Considerations
If you must take large doses of calcium, divide them into smaller doses of 500 mg to 600 mg each over the course of the day. For example, take 500 mg in the morning and then 500 mg at night. Your body can't absorb large amounts of calcium effectively, so spreading out the doses maximizes absorption. Note that dietary sources of calcium count as well. Taking a large dose of calcium supplementation right after you drink a glass of milk, for example, might end up wasting some of the calcium you took in because your body can't absorb it all at once.
Meals
Consider taking your calcium supplements with food. Developing a habit of taking your supplements every day at the same meal might help you remember to take your calcium tablets. Note that you must take calcium carbonate supplements with food. Food in your stomach increases the production of stomach acids, which in turn aid your body's absorption of calcium carbonate supplements. If your supplements are calcium citrate, on the other hand, the presence of stomach acids isn't necessary, but it won't hurt, either.
Other Medications
You might need to take your calcium tablets at a specific time to avoid interfering with your other medications. For example, biophosphonates, antibiotics and high blood pressure medications might interact with your calcium tablets, according to MayoClinic.com. If you're on medication, discuss your calcium supplementation with your doctor to determine the safest dosage schedule.
Iron Supplements
If you take iron and calcium supplements within two hours of each other, you decrease the effectiveness of both. For best absorption, take your calcium tablet at least two hours before or after your iron supplements.
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