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Calcium

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Calcium Supplements at Walgreens


Calcium is one of the most important minerals in your body. It plays a vital role in keeping bones and teeth strong. It’s also used by the body to release hormones and contract muscles and blood vessels. It’s best to get calcium through the diet, but dietary supplements can be a great option if you aren’t able to get enough calcium through the foods you eat. Walgreens offers a variety of calcium supplements available for purchase online and in stores.


What is calcium?

Calcium is a mineral that is not produced by the body on its own, so it must be consumed from other sources. It plays an important role in the body, not just in keeping bones and teeth strong, but also in proper nervous system and heart rate functioning. Almost all the body’s calcium is stored in bones, but a small amount is also stored in blood, muscles, and other tissue in the body.


Calcium is found in many foods, such as green leafy vegetables, dairy products, fish, and calcium-fortified foods. If the body isn’t getting enough calcium in the blood, it will release calcium being stored in the bones. Not getting enough calcium long-term can lead to deficiency.


Some people with certain conditions may experience serious calcium deficiency called hypocalcemia, with symptoms such as muscle cramps, numbness or tingling in the fingers, and abnormal heart rate. Long-term calcium deficiency can lead to conditions such as osteoporosis, which causes weak bones and increases the risk of falling, and osteomalacia, which causes soft bones in children and adults.


Is calcium a mineral?

Yes, calcium is a mineral, and it’s found in higher amounts in the body than any other mineral. Calcium has many important jobs in the body and is vital for proper functioning. Different people need different amounts of calcium, but ensuring you eat calcium-rich foods can help prevent deficiency. If you find it difficult to consume enough calcium in your diet, supplements may be a good choice for you. Your healthcare provider can help you decide what’s best for you.


What does calcium do in the body?

Calcium plays many roles in the body. Calcium is best known for keeping bones and teeth strong and healthy. Most of the body’s calcium is stored in the bones. Calcium plays a part in other important functions, including blood clotting, muscle contraction, heart rate, and hormone secretion. Without enough calcium from diet, the body will release calcium from the bones into the blood. Long-term lack of calcium can lead to weak and fragile bones.


What are the symptoms of low calcium?

Low calcium in early stages doesn’t usually produce symptoms. When the body doesn’t get enough calcium from diet or supplements, calcium is released from bones into the blood. If this continues long-term, it can lead to bone loss. The early stage of bone loss is called osteopenia and if osteopenia is not treated, it will lead to osteoporosis. These conditions cause weak and fragile bones and can lead to an increased risk of falling. Some people are at an increased risk of bone loss, including postmenopausal women, people who do not consume dairy, and people with amenorrhea, a condition where menstrual periods are stopped or disrupted.


How much calcium do you need in a day?

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of calcium varies by age and sex. Men age 19 to 70 should consume 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium per day, and men older than 70 should aim for 1,200 mg. Women age 19 to 50 should consume 1,000 mg daily, and women older than 50 should consume 1,200 mg. Adults up to age 50 should avoid consuming more than 2,500 mg daily, and those older than 50 should not consume more than 2,000 mg per day. Calcium supplements often provide doses in a range from 500 mg to 1,200 mg.


Calcium can be found in many foods, including dairy products like milk and yogurt, green vegetables such as broccoli and kale, certain fish such as sardines and canned salmon, and fortified foods and drinks like cereal and fruit juices. In order to absorb calcium, your body also needs vitamin D. The RDA for vitamin D is 15 micrograms per day for most adults. Talk with your healthcare provider in you are worried about your calcium or vitamin D intake.


What form does calcium come in?

Calcium is found in a variety of foods and drinks such as milk, yogurt, vegetables, and fish. Calcium supplements are available in many forms, including softgels, tablets, gummies, and soft chews. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist can help you choose the best supplement form for you. It is possible to consume too much calcium, and more calcium is not necessarily better, so be sure to read labels carefully to monitor how much calcium you are consuming. Calcium supplements can be found in a variety of forms in Walgreens stores and online.


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