Calcium phosphate is most often used to treat calcium deficiencies in your diet. However, there are several things you need to know before adding this supplement to your daily regimen.
About Calcium Phosphate Supplements
Calcium is an important mineral found naturally in food. It aids in healthy bone development and is crucial from infancy to adulthood. But, calcium does more than build strong bones. It’s also very important for healthy digestion. Calcium aids in bile acid metabolism, excretion of fatty acid, and healthy gut microbiota.
Calcium is in foods like:
- Dairy products, including milk, yogurt, and cheese
- Dark green, leafy vegetables, like broccoli and kale
- Fish, like sardines and salmon
- Calcium-fortified foods, like soy products, cereals, fruit juice, and milk alternatives
When to supplement your calcium intake. Calcium phosphate is a supplement you can take if you don’t get enough calcium in your diet through food. Reasons you may need a calcium supplement include:
- Following a vegan diet
- Lactose intolerance that limits your dairy intake
- Consuming a lot of animal protein or sodium, both of which can cause calcium loss
- Using corticosteroids as part of a long-term treatment plan
- IBD or Celiac disease, which prevents your body from absorbing calcium properly
How to Use Calcium Phosphate
When you purchase a calcium phosphate supplement, take it exactly as is directed on the label. Be sure to read all instructions and warnings before beginning a regimen. Do not take more than is recommended.
If you have concerns that you’re not getting enough calcium, your doctor can help. Talk to your doctor before adding a supplement to your diet. Once your doctor gives you instructions for when to take your supplements, if you forget a dose, that’s okay. Do not take extra calcium phosphate supplements to make up for the missed dose. Instead, continue at your next dosage time with your usual amount.
Take it with food. Keep in mind that calcium is most efficiently absorbed if taken with a snack or meal. This is because your stomach produces acid to break down food. If you take the supplement on an empty stomach, there may not be enough stomach acid for proper absorption.
Drink water. When you take your calcium phosphate supplement, drink a full glass of water. Staying hydrated is important to your digestion, and it also aids in the absorption of nutrients.
Store properly. Your supplement needs to be kept at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. If not stored according to recommendations, your supplements may change in consistency or potency.
Remember vitamin D. Calcium is important for healthy bones, but your body doesn’t properly absorb it without sufficient vitamin D. Furthermore, vitamin D aids in bone metabolism that helps with remodeling and bone growth.
Other Considerations for Calcium Phosphate
Risks of calcium phosphate supplements. You should always talk to your doctor before adding a supplement to your diet. This is especially important if you:
- Have a history of kidney disease or stones
- Have a parathyroid gland disorder
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
Potential side effects of taking too much calcium phosphate include:
- Feeling nauseous or vomiting
- Lack of an appetite
- Constipation
- Dry mouth or extreme thirst
- Increase in urination
Calcium phosphate may interact with other medications or make them less effective. Talk to your doctor if you’re taking:
- Digoxin
- Antacids or any other calcium supplements
- Calcitriol
- Vitamin D supplements
- Doxycycline, minocycline, or tetracycline
- Levothyroxine
Kidney stones. If you develop kidney stones that are composed of calcium phosphate, you may need to adjust your diet. You may think that generally isn’t true, as long as the calcium is being taken with food.
In fact, calcium actually aids in your body’s ability to block potentially harmful substances from entering your digestive tract and causing kidney stones.
Too much sodium can lead to more calciumin the urine, which can raise the risk of kidney stones. In addition to limiting sodium in your diet, limit animal protein, including:
- Beef, chicken, and pork, especially meat from organs
- Eggs
- Fish including shellfish
- Dairy, including milk, cheese, and yogurt