Calcium Supplements

Question: Will calcium supplements make you grow taller if you start taking them at age 12? Will calcium supplements make you grow taller if you start taking them at age 12, if not, could you please tell me some things that could help me grow taller?

Answer: Sorry Alice the only things which will make you grow taller are genes and time. Look to your parents and your grandparents to see approximately how tall you will be. You may not reach your full potential height until 16-17 but taking supplements at your age is probably not really a good idea. You may mess with the growth plates on your bones and screw up with should be natural. You have all you need with good diet and exercise and plenty of water. Some vitamins may help but just give Mom Nature the time she needs with you. OK? Good!

Question: If you take Calcium supplements daily, can your body ever become immune to it like you would a medicine? As the question implies, if this were true should i take it in monthly cycles? Does calcium supplements act the same way as medication and after a while your body relies on this rich calcium diet?

Answer: Your body doesn't become to nutrients & minerals no matter what form, however as you age your body loses the ability to absorb them as well as your younger years which is why calcium supplements are so prevalent among senior citizens

Question: How long should I wait between high-calcium foods and iron supplements? I take iron supplements, and was told by the doctor who recommended them that I shouldn't take them with calcium supplements or any high-calcium food or drink (milk, yogourt, etc.). Can anyone tell me approximately how close to each other I can have an iron supplement and a cup of coffee with skim milk, without affecting the absorbancy of the iron? Thanks!

Answer: Hi, You should wait at least a couple of hours between taking high calcium foods and iron supplements. Basically you want them to be as far apart as possible so for example if you take iron supplements with dinner make sure you don't have any calcium rich foods, restrict your calcium intake to morning meals.

Question: Can I stop drinking milk and just take calcium supplements? I want to become a vegan, I dont like milk at all but I drink one cup a day because of the calcium, I am thinking about stop drinking it and take calcium supplements instead, is that a good idea? I dont eat meat, eggs, butter, etc so milk is the next step to become began.

Answer: Sure, milk isn't really necessary after a child is about 5. From there they can obtain the calcium they need from yogurt, cheese and ice cream, or, in your case as you want to be vegan, a calcium supplement. Of course, kids need more calcium and would have to eat a LOT of the dairy products, but you get the drift. Good luck and once you become a vegan, remember not to bash us carnivores too much! :-)

Question: When is the best time of day to take calcium supplements? I started the DePo shot today and my doctor advised me to start taking in extra calcium due to the fact that the shot has been known to reduce bone density and eventually lead to osteoporosis. I will not stay on the shot for more than a year or 2. Anyways, I was just wondering if there is a time of day that is best to take the supplements in order for them to do my body the most good? I forgot to ask my doctor this morning!

Answer: It can depend on the type of calcium you take: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/calcium-supplements/AN01428 I would also suggest taking a calcium supplement that has vitamin D... the vitamin D helps your body absorb the calcium. And, if you get the opportunity, talk to your doctor about getting a bone density scan done soon so you can monitor your risk of osteoporosis and know if you need to come off the shot.

Question: Does any one know if calcium supplements affect ulcerative colitis? My husband is in another flare of his colitis the only thing we can think that he has changed is taking calcium supplements upon the doctors request. This is the second time he has tried this and the second time that it has flared. Despite attempts to find out from the doctor and the specialist as well as the pharmacist we are being told this could not be the cause. Has any one else had this problem or reaction to taking calcium?

Answer: I doubt the calcium supplement would send him into a flare. I think it's coincidental, although can not be 100% on that statement. As all people with UC, we should always be on supplements...the most popular being iron and calcium. Calcium especially if you're on steroids past or present. Who knows though...they could make him flare for some reason. He's not mixing the calcium with OJ or iron...or something else that would upset his tummy? I highly recommend that you check out this forum called Healing Well. It's a place for all us UC sufferers (and their families) to go a ask questions/vent. You can just spy--you don't have to join and talk. You can search through the database of old questions too. I was just thinking it would be a useful tool and that you could ask your question there. You'd have many more answers than on here AND possibly something more helpful. I'll post the link below. Good luck. And maybe we'll run into each other (although I'm more of a lurker than a talker) =)

Question: Is it alright to take calcium supplements while boxing training? Is it alright to take calcium supplements while boxing training? By boxing I mean with a bag, just to get into shape, I've heard that calcium improves your joints, so less chance of injury??

Answer: If you are a male, take 1/2 the recommended dosage on the bottle. Men need less calcium than women. Take it 5x per week,not every day.

Question: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SEE RESULTS FROM CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTS ? Because I am post menopausal my doctor recommended I start taking calcium supplements. That was a year ago, and I really did not take them. Lately my arthritis seems to be getting worse and I did start taking the calcium about a month ago. I was wondering how long it would take to see some results. I realize that they will not cure my arthritis, but if they help the bone, a side affect may be that my arthritis may not worsen as quickly.

Answer: Sorry, but calcium won't help with your arthritis. Arthritis is a degenerative disease of the cartilage which lines the joints. Calcium helps lay down and retain cells within the bones themselves. Your doctor recommended calcium to help ward off osteoporosis.

Question: Are there any side effects if we have calcium supplements in the night? Hi, i'm 24 this year and starting on calcium supplements.

Answer: One of the side effects is better sleep.

Question: Is it safe to take vitamin D and Calcium supplements? I am a 13 year old male standing at a little less than 5 feet and I was wondering if it was healthy for me to take vitamin D and Calcium supplements?

Answer: do not take it without medical suggestions. If you require take it safely.

Question: Besides Calcium, what supplements can I take for healthy teeth? I don't consume any form of dairy because of a dairy allergy, I take calcium supplements and many other supplements daily for vitamins (Fish Oil, etc). My teeth are in very bad condition though, they seem weak and sensitive. Are there any other things I can do for teeth health? I hope I worded this right, it seems a little weird. Thanks

Answer: Be sure that your calcium supplement has a balanced amount of magnesium and other minerals. KAL Amino Max is a good balance. Other than that, regular checkups, professional cleanings, simple brushing and flossing are important too.

Question: Which is a better source of calcium to prevent osteoporosis? Drinking milk or consuming calcium supplements? If taking calcium supplements, which is better? Calcium in tablet form or the effervescent form of tablet?

Answer: Taking calcium together with magnesium supplements are your best bet. Magnesium aids in absorption. Milk has calcium but unfortunately your body needs a lot of calcium to digest the high protein content in milk so milk actually makes you calcium deficient.

Question: is it safe to give calcium supplements to a dog? We have a 7 yr old German Shepard whos is beginning to have hip problems. We give her fish oil and a joint health supplement for dogs and it seems to help, just wondering if the calcium would also help.

Answer: only if they are dog friendly

Question: What kind of calcium supplements are okay to take? I am 17 weeks 4 days pregnant and wanted to take a calcium supplement as well as my prenatal... Is there any good ones to take? I go back to the OB feb 2 but would like to start taking one now... Thanks~!!!

Answer: my dr told me i could take chewable calcium tablets or even extra strength tums. i had to start taking them when i started getting leg cramps in my sleep.

Question: Do calcium supplements effect your height? I was wondering that if you took calcium supplements when you are a teenager and growing most, would it stunt your growth or help or is it just best to get it naturally from cheese and milk?

Answer: According to the studies done to date it wouldn't do either. Calcium has been proven to strengthen bones and is theorized that taking higher amounts of calcium may help increase higher peak bone mass however a study has not proven that to date. They believe 70-80% of that is inherited genetically.

Question: Ive done a titration to find the amount of calcium in calcium supplements? the titration was done with EDTA and using eriochrome T indicator and I have my results, but how do i calculate the mass of Calcium in the supplements from the figures I have?? please help, its for my college dissertation!!

Answer: She asked about calcium content in supplements not in water. mass calcium = mLM EDTA * ratio * (MW Ca/1000)