Significance

• Most Americans do not get enough calcium in their diet. It is recommended that 1,000 mg to 1,500 mg be consumed daily. Danger can arise when more than 2,500 mg is consumed regularly, but it is a rare occurrence as the average intake in the United States is less than 1,000 mg a day.
  
  

Considerations

• While milk, yogurt and cheese are some of the best known sources, several calcium-rich products have been introduced and can up a person's intake. Calcium fortified orange juice, breads and cereals are readily available and contribute to calcium intake.
  
  

Calcium Overload

• Excessive calcium is rare, but high levels may cause stomach distress, nausea, dehydration and kidney stones. Suggested but not conclusive, was a link between too much calcium and prostate cancer.
  
  

Symptoms

• A dominant symptom of too much calcium is extreme lethargy. More serious symptoms are an irregular heartbeat and very low blood pressure. Stomach pain, confusion, joint pain, excessive thirst, frequent urination, memory loss, twitches and depression may also result.
  
  

Hypercalcemia

• Too much calcium in the blood is referred to as hypercalcemia. It is most often caused by an enlarged parathyroid gland, adrenal gland failure, kidney failure, increased immobility, cancerous tumor, inherited disease or massive intake of calcium.
  
  

Treatment

• Treating the underlying cause or disease is often the first course of action. Calcium does do the body good, but in excess, calcium may cause serious harm.