The Internet abounds with stories of people who have found that taking calcium on a regular basis had a positive effect on their diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Before you follow this trend, it is important to realize that taking vitamin supplements is not guaranteed to be harmless. Here are the things you should consider before taking calcium for diarrhea.
Understand Calcium’s Role in Your Body’s Health
Calcium is a mineral that is essential to your body’s health. Almost all of the calcium in your body serves to strengthen bones and teeth. The remaining 1% of the calcium in your body plays an important role in many bodily functions, including muscle movement, fluid secretion, blood pressure, and nerve cell communication.
Get Your Doctor’s Approval
Before using any kind of over-the-counter remedy, it is imperative that you discuss the issue with your physician. Your doctor is in the unique position of knowing your individual health history as well as having an awareness of the latest medical research regarding risks and benefits of a particular treatment. Without specific research backing, your doctor may be reluctant to endorse a vitamin supplement such as calcium. What you need is to hear from your doctor that trying a calcium supplement will do you no harm.
Stay Within Recommended Limits
The National Institutes of Health has published a fact sheet that offers a table with an outline of the recommended daily intake of calcium. The amount recommended varies by age. Different guidelines are offered for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be Aware of Medication Interactions
Because vitamins are sold over the counter, people tend to view them as being safe and without negative side effects. This is not always the case. Calcium has the potential to interfere with a wide variety of medications that you may be taking to treat other medical problems. This is another reason why it is essential to check with your doctor before taking calcium. Here is a list of types of medications that may be negatively impacted by supplemental use of calcium:
- Antacids that contain aluminum
- Antibiotics
- Blood pressure medications
- Diuretics
- Heart medications
- Medication for osteoporosis
Read the Label to be Aware of Extra Ingredients
If you have made the decision to try a calcium supplement, make sure that the product you purchase does not contain magnesium. Magnesium carries a possible side effect of diarrhea, which is the last thing you need. If you are taking calcium for bone strength, you can and should continue to take a calcium supplement that contains vitamin D, which helps with absorption.
Maximize Absorption
Calcium supplements come in two forms, calcium citrate and calcium carbonate. Calcium citrate has the benefit of easier absorption, but you may find that one type or the other works better for you. Absorption is best when calcium is taken in doses of 500 mg or less, so it may be necessary to spread your doses out throughout the day. Read the label of your supplement to see if the product should be taken with food or between meals.
Sources:
Commonly Asked Questions About Calcium Supplements. New York State Department of Health.
Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Calcium. National Institute of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.
Possible Interactions with: Calcium. University of Maryland Medical Center.
