Calcium Benefits Dosage Foods Interactions And More

  references
  
      Dietary Guidelines for Americans: "Nutrients of Public Health Concern"
    
      National Institutes of Health: "Calcium Fact Sheet for Health Professionals"
    
      USDA Food Data Central: "White Beans"
    
      The National Academy of Sports Medicine: "Calcium: For Strong Bones, Muscle Function, and So Much More!"
    
      American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: "Healthy Bones at Every Age"
    
      Translational Andrology and Urology: "Calcium Intake and Urinary Stone Disease"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Hypercalcemia"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Calcium Supplements: a Risk Factor for Heart Attack?"
    
      National Osteoporosis Foundation: "Calcium and Vitamin D"
    
      U.S. Food and Drug Administration: "Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs) for Dietary Supplements"
    
      Harvard Medical School: "Key Minerals to Help Control Blood Pressure"
    
      Cochrane: "Extra Calcium to Prevent High Blood Pressure"
    




Milk is a prime source of calcium, a nutrient important for healthy bones and teeth.

Image Credit: Eva-Katalin/E+/GettyImages

What Is Calcium?
Calcium Benefits
Calcium Per Day
Calcium Foods
Calcium Deficiency
Calcium Toxicity
Interactions and Risks
Calcium Supplements

Age Males Females Birth to 6 months 200 mg 200 mg 7 to 12 months 260 mg 260 mg 1 to 3 years 700 mg 700 mg 4 to 8 years 1,000 mg 1,000 mg 9 to 18 years 1,300 mg 1,300 mg 51 to 70 years 1,000 mg 1,200 mg 71+ years 1,200 mg 1,200 mg

Source: NIH

Pregnant and breastfeeding people between 14 and 18 years old should get 1,300 milligrams of calcium daily, while pregnant and breastfeeding people 19 and older should aim for 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily.

We love upping our calcium intake with these Chocolatey Chia Cookies that serve as a better-for-you dessert. You’ll also want to wake up to this creamy Frappuccino Yogurt Shake made with calcium-rich Greek yogurt. Go for these refreshing Raspberry Greek Yogurt Pops that are high in protein.

Is Your Diet Missing Certain Nutrients?

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The body typically absorbs about 500 milligrams or less of calcium at a time, so it’s best to space out your intake (of whole foods or supplements containing calcium) over the course of the day, per the National Osteoporosis Foundation.

      Dietary Guidelines for Americans: "Nutrients of Public Health Concern"
    
      National Institutes of Health: "Calcium Fact Sheet for Health Professionals"
    
      USDA Food Data Central: "White Beans"
    
      The National Academy of Sports Medicine: "Calcium: For Strong Bones, Muscle Function, and So Much More!"
    
      American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: "Healthy Bones at Every Age"
    
      Translational Andrology and Urology: "Calcium Intake and Urinary Stone Disease"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Hypercalcemia"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Calcium Supplements: a Risk Factor for Heart Attack?"
    
      National Osteoporosis Foundation: "Calcium and Vitamin D"
    
      U.S. Food and Drug Administration: "Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs) for Dietary Supplements"
    
      Harvard Medical School: "Key Minerals to Help Control Blood Pressure"
    
      Cochrane: "Extra Calcium to Prevent High Blood Pressure"