Symptoms of a Calcium Deficiency to look out for
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Calcium has a list of vital functions for our bodies including building bones and keeping them healthy and regulating muscle contractions. Sometimes, people need more calcium than usual and require help in the form of supplements, health body Patient.Info reports. Here’s one side effect of calcium supplements that is signalling that you should speak to your GP.
Apart from targeting the problem that needs solving, most medicines can also cause some possible side effects.
Not everyone experiences side effects linked to calcium supplements, Patient.Info informs.
In fact, calcium supplements cause unwanted side effects only rarely but there are some that may occur.
One of these side effects is loose, watery stool.
READ MORE: Statins side effects: Five telltale signs in your urine – when to alert your doctor
Patient.Info advises speaking to your GP if you start experiencing this problem.
Drinking plenty of liquids and opting for simpler foods might also be helpful, according to Patient.Info.
Meals you should stay away from when experiencing this side effect are anything that is rich or spicy.
Stool side effects are rare and affect less than one in 1000 people, according to Patient.Info.
Other side effects to keep an eye out for are feeling sick or having an upset stomach.
As these are only some of the side effects of calcium supplements, to see the full list you should refer to the patient information leaflet that came with your medicine.
Patient.Info reports that these side effects might also get better as your body starts adjusting to the supplement.
However, if any of the side effects are troubling you or are persisting, you should speak to your GP, the health forum warns.
Before you start taking calcium supplements, you should speak to your GP or pharmacist.
Let them know about any medicine you’re taking, health conditions that you have, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you had an allergic reaction to medicine in the past.
The information regarding dosage will either come from your GP or can be found on the medicine leaflet.
How much calcium does your body need?
People aged 19 to 64 years require about 700 milligrams of calcium a day, according to the NHS.
You should be able to get enough of this vitamin from a varied diet. Sources of calcium are:
- Milk, cheese and other dairy foods
- Soya drinks with added calcium
- Green leafy vegetables (curly kale, okra)
- Bread and anything made with fortified flour
- Sardines and pilchards.
The health body warns that if you are opting for supplements, you shouldn’t take too much as this can be harmful to your body.
The recommended daily dose by the NHS is 1,5000 milligrams or less, as this is unlikely to be harmful.
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