Thanks for the response. Let me clarify a little more on my question.

I am not too worried about calcium from natural sources. I am more concerned about calcium from supplements - if they can cause crystals/stones in the kidney?
I have 2 boys age 5 and 7.
2 years ago, a dietition had prescribed they take 1000mg of calcium supplements daily - calcium carbonate. My boys do not drink milk due to allergy. Another practitioner has told me that too much Calcium from non-food sources will cause crystals/stones in the kidney and recommended the boys take only 500mg calcium supplements daily.
Can you pls comment? How much "Calcium supplements" should my boys take to get enough Calcium supply But will not get crystals/stones in the kidneys later on.

Thanks.

Welcome to the board! Calcium from supplements are not inferior or harmful at all. It is simply untrue that calcium supplements will cause kidney stones. As I've mentioned in the original post, the UL (tolerable upper level) for calcium is 2500 mg. Calcium toxicity such as kidney stones may be resulted if a person takes more than 2500 mg of calcium (whether it's from food or supplements) everyday for an extended period of time. So if your boys are only taking 1000 mg daily and eat no other calcium-rich foods or take no other calcium-containing multivitamins, you do not need to worry about it.

Just curious, it seems that your boys are relying 100% on supplements for their calcium needs. have you tried other calcium-rich foods such as calcium-fortified soy or OJ? Do they have reaction to them too?

Original post http://www.healthcastle.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=413

just want to add a comment here cos this thread reminds me of my mom.......... my mom had also asked me the same question before about kidney stones and calcium. she said that the vitamin store sales told her not to take too much - but he didn't say how much is too much. after hearing that, she started to worry so she called me. i also told her not to believe 100% what the vitamin store salespeople said - they may not be licensed healthcare professionals at all!

Thanks heaps for your response.

Gloria, you mentioned Calcium fortified OJ and soy milk - how would this be different to taking normal soy milk and OJ and then taking calcium supplements separately.

Is Calcium fortified OJ and soy milk basically soy milk / OJ with Calcium supps?
OR something more to it?

Hope you can help? Thanks.

It is important to offer kids (as well as adults) with choice. If we are able to find food options that can replace supplements, it may mean that they may not need to take 2 calcium pills daily for the rest of their lives. They have at least options to choose what they would like to do to meet their calcium needs.

I'm not sure where you live. Here in North Amercia, both Minute Maid and Tropicana have calcium-fortifed orange juice. As for soymilk and soy ice cream, many brands are fortified with calcium so check the label for details. One glass of fortified OJ/Soy provides approximately same amount of calcium from a glass of cow's milk. In addition, Propel also has Propel Calcium Water so again that's another option.

Hope that helps.