Can calcium tablets make you constipated

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Can Calcium Tablets Cause Constipation?

Calcium supplements are widely used for various health benefits, particularly for bone health. However, there is a common concern about whether these supplements can cause constipation. This article synthesizes findings from multiple research studies to address this question.

Calcium Supplementation and Constipation: Mixed Evidence

No Significant Impact on Healthy Individuals

A study focusing on healthy women found that calcium supplementation, whether from calcium carbonate or calcium phosphate, did not significantly affect stool frequency or form. The participants reported similar stool frequencies and types across different periods, including baseline, supplementation, and washout phases. This suggests that calcium supplementation at a dose of 500 mg/day does not contribute to constipation in healthy individuals .

Potential Gastrointestinal Side Effects

Contrary to the findings in healthy women, another study reviewed adverse events from calcium supplementation and found that gastrointestinal issues, including constipation, were more common in participants receiving calcium supplements compared to those on a placebo. The study reported a relative risk increase for gastrointestinal adverse events, including constipation, bloating, and abdominal pain, among those taking calcium supplements .

Calcium Polycarbophil and Constipation Relief

Interestingly, calcium polycarbophil, a specific form of calcium supplement, has been shown to alleviate constipation, particularly in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Multiple studies have demonstrated that calcium polycarbophil significantly improves stool consistency and ease of passage, making it an effective treatment for constipation-predominant IBS 3467. These findings suggest that not all calcium supplements have the same effect on bowel movements, and the form of calcium used can make a significant difference.

Conclusion

The relationship between calcium supplementation and constipation is complex and appears to depend on the form of calcium and the population being studied. While general calcium supplements like calcium carbonate may cause gastrointestinal issues, including constipation, in some individuals, specific forms like calcium polycarbophil can actually help alleviate constipation, especially in those with IBS. Therefore, individuals concerned about constipation should consider the type of calcium supplement they are using and consult healthcare providers for personalized advice.

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Most relevant research papers on this topic

Calcium Supplementation Does Not Contribute to Constipation in Healthy Women.

Calcium supplementation does not contribute to constipation in healthy females, as both calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate show normal stool frequency and form.

RCT

2016·

5citations

·Z. Alyousif et al.

Calcium and vitamin D supplements.

Calcium supplements should be taken with meals to maximize absorption and minimize side effects.

2006·

1citation

Calcium polycarbophil compared with placebo in irritable bowel syndrome

Calcium polycarbophil can benefit irritable bowel syndrome patients with constipation or alternating diarrhoea and constipation, and may be particularly useful in patients with bloating as a major complaint.

RCT

1993·

50citations

·P. Toskes et al.

[Calcium polycarbophil in clinical practice. The therapy of constipation].

Polycarbophil calcium effectively reduces stool consistency and evacuatory force in chronic non-organic constipation patients, with minimal undesired effects.

RCT

1993·

1citation

·N. Pallotta et al.

Adverse events from calcium supplementation: Relationship to errors in myocardial infarction self‐reporting in randomized controlled trials of calcium supplementation

Calcium supplementation increases the incidence of adverse gastrointestinal events, which may account for an increase in self-reported myocardial infarction in calcium treated patients but not controls.

RCTRigorous JournalHighly Cited

2012·

72citations

·J. Lewis et al.

Treatment of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome with calcium polycarbophil:A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,multicenter study

Calcium polycarbophil is effective and safe for treating constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, with a significant increase in bowel movement frequency after 3 weeks of treatment.

RCTLarge Human Trial

2007·

0citations

·Y. Yao-zong

Efficacy and safety of calcium polycarbophil in the treatment of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

Calcium polycarbophil is an effective and safe medicine for alleviating constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome symptoms without causing adverse events.

RCT

2012·

0citations

·Dai Yi-yang

Efficacy of Natural Formulation Containing Activated Charcoal, Calcium Sennosides, Peppermint Oil, Fennel Oil, Rhubarb Extract, and Purified Sulfur (Nucarb®) in Relieving Constipation

Nucarb effectively reduces constipation severity, straining sensation, bloating, abdominal pain, incomplete evacuation, and difficulty passing gas, while being a safe herbal product for all populations.

Non-RCTLarge Human TrialRigorous Journal

2021·

2citations

·R. Ali et al.

Hypermagnesemia in a constipated female.

Magnesium oxide tablets retained in the gastrointestinal tract without adequate decontamination can cause continuous absorption and rebound of hypermagnesemia, highlighting the importance of gastrointestinal decontamination in treating hypermagnesemia.

Case Report

2013·

34citations

·Yi-Ming Weng et al.

Effect of calcium carbonate and aluminum hydroxide on human intestinal function

Calcium carbonate and aluminum hydroxide both increase fecal output, reducing fecal fat and potentially lowering blood lipids and improving colonic mucosa.

RCT

1988·

26citations

·D. Saunders et al.

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