Calcium & Emotions

Calcium is considered a macromineral, meaning it is a mineral element that is needed by your body in large amounts. Calcium plays many different roles in your body, most prominently in the maintenance of healthy bones . However, calcium also plays an essential role in the regulation of your emotions. Talk to your doctor before using calcium as a nutritional supplement to affect your emotional state.

Serotonin

A low calcium intake has been associated with an increase in symptoms of depression, according to the book, "Nutrition for Health, Fitness, and Sport." PubMed Health states that depression can change the way you see yourself and those around you, contributing to a more negative attitude causing irritability, anxiety, body weight changes and a variety of other symptoms. Calcium activates the production of neurotransmitters in your brain, especially serotonin, which is important for the regulation of your emotional state. According to Washington University in St. Louis, low levels of serotonin contribute to depression.

Premenstrual Syndrome

Calcium supplementation may help reduce some of the emotional symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, in women. According to a 2009 study published in the "Taiwan Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology," 1 g of calcium daily can reduce fatigue, appetite changes and symptoms of depression in women with PMS. MedlinePlus, an online resource of the National Institutes of Health, states that daily calcium supplementation can significantly reduce mood swings in women with PMS and may actually prevent PMS from occurring in the first place.

Side Effects

Calcium supplements can cause adverse effects in some people, especially if you take too much. According to MedlinePlus, minor side effects associated with calcium include belching and excessive gas. Other side effects of too much calcium can cause hypercalcemia, which may actually increase symptoms of depression, irritability and anxiety due to an over-stimulation of brain neurotransmitters. Too much calcium can also have negative effects on your kidneys and bones, causing pain, weakness and frequent urination.

Recommendations

According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, the recommended daily dietary intake for calcium can vary with age. Typically, adults can take between about 1 g and 2.5 g of calcium safely with little risk of side effects. Adolescents and the elderly may need more calcium to help support bone health. Only use calcium supplements to treat depression, PMS or other emotional disorders under the supervision of your doctor to make sure you are using it safely.