Medical Questions » Vitamins Questions » Question No. 1524
| Question: | My multi is low in calcium but contains 200 per cent RDA of vitamin D. I want to supplement more calcium as I do not eat dairy, but all the calcium tablets I see have lots of vitamin D as well. Will I be overdosing on vitamin D if I take both? |
| Answer: | While dairy products are of course a rich source of calcium, it' s quite possible to get enough from other food sources - after all, we evolved over millions of years only having milk as babies. So I suggest you eat plenty of green leafy vegetables, almonds, pumpkin seeds, prunes and bone-in fish - all great sources of calcium. And if you still want to supplement, it' s quite OK to take more than the RDA, which is the amount that' s calculated to stop you from getting deficiency diseases, rather than the amount you need to be in optimum health. You can take up to 1,200mg of calcium and 20mcg of vitamin D, which is four times the RDA, quite safely. Be aware, though, that for calcium to be absorbed, you also need a good intake of magnesium, boron and vitamin K - so you may be best off taking a multivitamin and mineral complex. |
|
|
