Excess calcium in supplement form can cause several health problems. But three health institutions -- the Mayo Clinic, the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University and the National Institutes of Health -- do not link joint pain to calcium overdose. To minimize the risk of potential side effects, supplement calcium only if your doctor advises, and take only the prescribed dosage.
Calcium Overdose Effects
Too much calcium can cause constipation and lead to kidney stones, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. But the Linus Pauling Institute says that although excess calcium in the urine may cause crystallization, taking too much of the mineral does not necessarily make your kidneys transfer more of the mineral to your urine. According to the institute, a calcium overdose can decrease your appetite and cause you to become nauseous. You may also feel thirsty and urinate more often. Abdominal pain, delirium, coma and death are possible in extreme cases.
Daily Calcium Intake
Calcium poisoning does not seem to occur from getting too much of the mineral from foods, says the Linus Pauling Institute. But when your daily intake from meals and supplements combined exceeds the recommended limits, you may start experiencing signs of toxicity, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institutes of Medicine says that adults ages of 19 to 50 need 1,000 mg calcium daily. At 51, women should raise their calcium intake to 1,200 mg. Men should increase theirs to 1,200 mg when they turn 71. Kids and teenagers require 1,300 mg of calcium daily from 9 until they become adults. Children ages 4 to 8 should get 1,000 mg of the nutrient. Children ages 12 months to 4 should get 700 mg. Babies younger than a year should be getting everything they need from breast milk or formula.
Tolerable Upper Intake
The Food and Nutrition Board also establishes tolerable upper intake levels for nutrients that can cause toxicity. Although you do not need that much of those vitamins and minerals, you cannot poison yourself if you keep your daily intake at or below these limits.
The upper intake for children ages 1 to 8 is 2,500 mg. Children ages 9 to 19 should get no more than 3,000 mg daily. Adults should keep their calcium intake to 2,500 mg through their 51st birthday. Those older than 51 should take no more than 2,000 mg.
Natural Calcium Sources
Although calcium overdoses do not cause joint pain, you can prevent the other problems toxicity creates by getting the mineral from foods. Dairy products, tofu, beans and green vegetables provide calcium. If your doctor recommends calcium supplementation, do not replace the dosage with calcium-rich meals without discussing it with her first.
