Before talking about the risks of calcium supplements, it’s important to understand that the amount of calcium you need per day changes over time.
Your body undergoes a continuous bone “remodeling” process by removing small amounts of calcium from your bones and replacing them with new calcium. If you remove more than you replace, your bones slowly become weaker and more prone to fracture. As we age, our body becomes less efficient at absorbing calcium. The Institute of Medicine says that women 50 and over need 1,000 mg per day; for men, it’s 800 mg per day. For men and women over 71, the recommendation is 1,200 mg per day.
Keep in mind that this includes the total amount you need from food and supplements.