Is it safe to for me to take calcium supplements? I was told once that I shouldn't because I sit all of the time. How much do I need? I am an active 27 year old.
SCI-Nurse
08-06-2001, 03:03 PM
It used to be thought that people with SCI should not take extra calcium, and new injuries were actually placed on low calcium diets for fear that extra calcium would increase their risks of urinary stones.
This theory never had any scientific basis, and in recent years the thinking is that people with SCI should take extra calcium after their first year or so in hopes that it will prevent worsening of their osteoporosis.
It is recommended that you take 1000-1500 mg. of calcium daily in some form of supplement. Some forms are more "bioavailable" than others, and some forms are also more likely than others to cause constipation. 3 TUMS daily will meet most peoples' needs, but here is a good resource for information about other calcium supplements:
http://consumerlab.com/results/calcium.asp
(KLD)