Calcium Tablets for Men
Disclaimer: This content has been produced purely for informational and educational purposes only and is never intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical guidelines including diagnosis, advice, and treatment.
Though calcium tablets are best known for women's use, men also need calcium to treat and prevent various health conditions caused by low levels of calcium in the body. The benefits of calcium tablets for men are not only limited to just maintaining optimal bone health, there are a lot more. What are they? Let’s try to find out together.
In this article, we’ll be exploring the effects and benefits of calcium tablets for men in a little bit of detail along with how to use them and possible side effects. But we’ll start with the basics of calcium first. So, let’s dig a little deeper.
Table of contents
- What is calcium?
- Why calcium is important for men’s health
- Benefits of taking calcium tablets for men
- How to use calcium supplements
- Precautions and side effects
- Final words
What is calcium?
Calcium is an essential mineral that is naturally found in many foods including milk, cheese, and other dairy products. Not just dairy products, dark leafy green vegetables, beans, fruits, nuts, as well as certain starchy vegetables also contain a good amount of calcium.
Why calcium is important for men’s health
It’s not a secret today that calcium is essential for healthy bones and teeth. It also assists in many bodily functions as well. Calcium is required for blood clotting, nerve functions, muscle contractions, and even heart rhythms. The bones and teeth store around 99% of total calcium content in the body and the outstanding 1% remains in other tissues such as blood and muscles.
Benefits of taking calcium tablets for men
The most prevalent benefit of taking calcium tablets for men is maintaining optimal bone health. Bones are always under a process of remodeling in which tissues are continuously broken down and rebuilt. Besides, the body requires a healthy level of calcium in the blood and other tissues for the proper functioning of several systems such as the heart, blood clotting, and nervous system.
With age, the concentration of calcium tends to decline in the body. When calcium levels drop, taking extra calcium may help keep the rebuilding process of bones natural and also help the bones stay strong.
Apart from bone health, calcium may help lower the risk of developing various conditions in men caused by low levels of calcium. Let’s take a look at some of them.
High potassium levels - High potassium levels in the blood, also medically known as hyperkalemia, are one of the major causes of heart issues. Calcium can bind the excess potassium and help reverse the heart issues caused by high potassium levels.
Indigestion - Calcium possesses significant antacid properties and can help with managing various symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) such as indigestion, acid reflux, and heartburn.
Kidney failure - High levels of phosphate in the blood may contribute to developing kidney issues and even kidney failure. Calcium intake may help keep phosphate levels in check and may help treat or prevent kidney failure in men.
Hypo- and hyperparathyroidism - Calcium has an incredible ability to keep parathyroid hormones at healthy levels and thus can help correct both hypoparathyroidism, the decreased activity of the parathyroid, as well as hyperparathyroidism, the increased activity of the parathyroid gland.
These are only a few areas where calcium tablets may favor men hugely but are not limited to and there are a lot more. In other words, taking calcium tablets properly in recommended doses is really worth it for men to stay healthy and strong in the long run.
How to use calcium supplements
For men, the daily recommended intake (RDI) of calcium is 1000 mg a day and it rises to 1200 mg a day for men over the age of 70. Though the most preferred way to get the right amount of calcium is through diets, most people do not find it possible to meet their daily recommended intake from foods alone. Calcium supplements might be the best option for people who do not get sufficient amounts of calcium from their diets alone.
When it comes to taking calcium supplements, make sure you are getting adequate amounts of vitamin D too since it helps your body to absorb the calcium. Without the right amount of vitamin D, calcium supplements may potentially increase cardiovascular risks.
Precautions and side effects
Calcium tablets are likely safe and well-tolerable in recommended doses for most people. Do not exceed recommended daily doses as doing so may increase the risk of some unlikely but serious side effects such as nausea, vomiting, fast and pounding heart rate, unusual weight loss, increased urination or kidney issues, and sometimes even mood changes.
Some people may also experience symptoms of allergic reactions such as rash, trouble breathing, swelling of the tongue, and itching. Besides, calcium may interact with certain supplements and medications such as zinc supplements, thyroid medications, and certain types of antibiotics. Therefore, it is necessary to separate your calcium doses from the other medications as far as possible.
It’s always the best practice to consult with a professional naturopath before starting calcium supplements so that he or she can analyze your specific health condition to determine whether calcium supplement is right for you and what would be the best method of use.
Final words
The benefits of taking calcium tablets for men are countless and it’s necessarily not possible to mention them all here. However, maintaining optimal bone health, treating hypoparathyroidism or hyperparathyroidism, reducing symptoms of gastro-esophageal disease, regulating potassium and phosphate levels in the blood, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular and kidney diseases are some of the areas where calcium can hugely help men.
Since taking too much calcium is associated with some serious side effects, consider consulting a professional certified naturopath before starting calcium supplements especially if you’re on medications for any underlying health conditions.
Here you can see Vorst’s pure and natural Calcium with Vitamin D Tablets
Here you can see Vorst’s pure and natural Milk Minerals Chewable Calcium Tablets
Important resources:
- https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-94246/calcium-for-women-oral/details
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-781/calcium
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/choosing-a-calcium-supplement
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/calcium-supplements/faq-20058371
- https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2021/oct/calcium-supplements-how-much-calcium-is-too-much/
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/calcium-supplements-should-you-take-them
- https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jos/2011/875249/
- https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/calcium/