You need to consume calcium for a variety of reasons, including the health and proper functioning of your muscles. However, if you take too much of the mineral, this can result in a condition known as hypercalcemia, symptoms of which include muscle fatigue. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of calcium for you, and tell her if you are experiencing muscle aches associated with your mineral intake.
Muscle Health and Other Functions
No other mineral is as abundant in your body as calcium, which is vital for muscle health, as well as for smooth muscle contraction. Calcium also aids your blood in clotting and allows your nerves to transmit signals to one another, both of which are essential for muscle function as well. This mineral assists in regulating your heartbeat, and it also keeps your bones and teeth strong. In fact, roughly 99 percent of the calcium in your body is found in your bones and teeth.
RDA, Sources and Supplements
To ensure the health of your muscles and other areas of your body, you need to meet the recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, for calcium. If you are an adult under 50, you need 1,000 mg of calcium a day, but once you pass 50, you need 1,200 mg, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Dairy products such as cheese, milk and yogurt are the best sources of calcium, and tofu and blackstrap molasses contain a large amount of the mineral as well. You can also get calcium from fortified foods, kelp, dried figs, oysters and broccoli. If you are unable to meet the RDA through diet, you can ask your doctor about the types and dosage of calcium supplements that are best for you.
Upper Limits and Hypcercalcemia
Though calcium is essential, it is possible to get too much of it. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the tolerable upper limit of calcium is 2,500 mg a day. Taking more than this can lead to a buildup of calcium in your blood and a condition known as hypercalcemia, symptoms of which include muscle weakness and twitches, as well as digestive upset, abdominal pain, frequent urination, depression, memory loss and bone pain. If you begin experiencing these or other symptoms after you begin taking calcium, see your doctor.
Additional Considerations
Muscle aches can be caused for reasons other than high calcium intake, so it is important to talk to your physician about your pain before you attempt to self-diagnose. Always discuss new supplements with your doctor before you begin taking them, particularly if you have health conditions or are on medications. You can also ask about ways to incorporate more calcium into your diet, rather than or in addition to taking supplements.
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