Calcium

Calcium

“Before you think about increasing your calcium intake
or taking calcium supplements, be sure you understand
how much calcium you need and the benefits and risks…”.1

Definition

What is calcium?

Depending on the Source (DotS) the definition of calcium may vary. The (United States) Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) definition is:

“Calcium is a mineral your body needs to build and maintain strong bones and to carry out many important functions. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body”.2

Bones

What is the association between bones and calcium?

In Calcium: What Is Calcium and What Does It Do? the ODS explain:

“Almost all calcium in the body is stored in bones and teeth, giving them structure and hardness.

Your body needs calcium for muscles to move and for nerves to carry messages between your brain and every part of your body. Calcium also helps blood vessels move blood throughout your body and helps release hormones that affect many functions in your body. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium”.3

In Calcium the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) elaborate on:

“Calcium is a major building-block of bone – the skeleton houses 99% of the body’s calcium stores. The calcium in our bones also acts as a reservoir for maintaining calcium levels in the blood, which is needed for healthy nerves and muscles”.4

Calcium Bank

How do bones act like a calcium bank?

In Calcium & Bone Health: Why Is Calcium Important? Healthy Bones Australia explain:

“Bones act like a calcium bank. If there is not enough calcium in your diet, the body will take what is needed from your bones for use in other parts of the body. If this happens, your bone density (bone strength) will gradually decline, and you may be at risk of developing osteoporosis”.5

Foods

What foods provide calcium?

In Calcium: What Foods Provide Calcium? the ODS explain:

“Calcium is found in many foods. You can get recommended amounts of calcium by eating a variety of foods, including the following:

  • Milk, yogurt, and cheese are the main food sources of calcium for most people in the United States
  • Canned sardines and salmon with bones contain calcium
  • Certain vegetables, such as kale, broccoli, and Chinese cabbage (bok choi) also contain calcium
  • Calcium is added to some beverages, including many fruit juices and milk substitutes such as soy and almond beverages, as well as some brands of tofu and ready-to-eat cereals. To find out whether these foods have calcium added, check the product labels
  • Most grains (such as breads, pastas, and unfortified cereals) do not have high amounts of calcium. However, because people eat them often, what they contribute adds up”.6

Foods Calcium Content

What is the calcium content of some foods?

Your country’s national Osteoporosis website may have a list of the calcium content of some foods similar to the IOF’s Calcium Content of Common Foods or the (United States) National Osteoporosis Foundation’s Calcium and Vitamin D: A Guide To Calcium-Rich Foods.

Calcium Supplements

Before considering calcium supplements, what may it be important to understand?

In Calcium and Calcium Supplements – Achieving the Right Balance the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“Before you think about increasing your calcium intake or taking calcium supplements, be sure you understand how much calcium you need and the benefits and risks of supplements”.7

Vitamin D

Is there an association between vitamin D and calcium?

The Mayo Clinic explain:

“To absorb calcium, your body also needs vitamin D. Some foods naturally contain small amounts of vitamin D, such as canned salmon with bones, tuna and egg yolks. You also can get vitamin D from foods fortified with the vitamin”.8

Health Care Provider

What if I would like to find out how much calcium and/or vitamin D I need daily?

If you would like to find out how much calcium and/or vitamin D you need daily, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Calcium?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Calcium?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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New or Updated

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  8. Bonetalk.org [Bone Talk]
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  10. Calcium Build Better Bones.org [International Osteoporosis Foundation]
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  37. Menopause and Bone Health − Decreasing the Risk of Osteoporosis
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  39. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 5 Tips: What Consumers Need To Know About Dietary Supplements
  40. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  41. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
  42. Nutrients: Bone Healthy Ingredients
  43. Nutrition: Food and Your Bones – Osteoporosis Nutrition Guidelines
  44. Office of Dietary Supplements: Calcium
  45. Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin D
  46. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2024: Approach To Bone Health In the Perimenopause and Postmenopause?
  47. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2025: Changing the Paradigm for Earlier Osteoporosis Prevention
  48. Osteoporosis, the Silent Disease, Can Shorten Your Life − Here’s How To Prevent Fractures and Keep Bones Healthy
  49. Pathtogoodbonehealth.org [Your Path To Good Bone Health, Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation, United States]
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  50. Supplements: What Works, What Doesn’t and the Truth About Menowashing
  51. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Preventing Bone Loss At Menopause
  52. When Should I Take Calcium Supplements? Does It Matter What Time?
  53. Worldosteoporosisday.org [World Osteoporosis Day, October 20]
    Calcium

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Calcium and Calcium Supplements – Achieving the Right Balance: Calcium and Diet. 22 January 2026. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/calcium-supplements/art-20047097 Accessed: 23 March 2026
  2. Calcium: What Is Calcium and What Does It Do? Updated: 14 September 2023. Office of Dietary Supplements https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-Consumer/ Accessed: 23 March 2026
  3. Calcium: What Is Calcium and What Does It Do? Updated: 14 September 2023. Office of Dietary Supplements https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-Consumer/ Accessed: 23 March 2026
  4. Calcium. International Osteoporosis Foundation https://www.osteoporosis.foundation/patients/prevention/calcium Accessed: 23 March 2026
  5. Calcium & Bone Health: Why Is Calcium Important? Healthy Bones Australia https://healthybonesaustralia.org.au/your-bone-health/calcium/ Accessed: 23 March 2026
  6. Calcium: What Foods Provide Calcium? Updated: 14 September 2023. Office of Dietary Supplements https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-Consumer/ Accessed: 23 March 2026
  7. Calcium and Calcium Supplements – Achieving the Right Balance: Calcium and Diet. 22 January 2026. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/calcium-supplements/art-20047097 Accessed: 23 March 2026
  8. Calcium and Calcium Supplements – Achieving the Right Balance: Calcium and Diet. 22 January 2026. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/calcium-supplements/art-20047097 Accessed: 23 March 2026
Topic Last Updated: 22 July 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 23 March 2026

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