mineral
Calcium
The most abundant mineral in the body, essential for bone and teeth structure, muscle contraction, nerve signaling, blood clotting, and enzyme function.
What it’s good for
Calcium for Muscle Cramps
No Benefit4 studies · 0 supporting · 3 against
10 safety notes
How it was tested: A review of 13 trials found no evidence calcium reduces cramp. Only magnesium helped, and only in pregnancy.
Calcium is what actually triggers a muscle to contract, so it is an obvious suspect in cramp.
Dose: 500–1000 mg
Calcium for Bone Strength
Not verified2 studies · 1 supporting · 1 against
9 safety notes
Dose: 1000 mg
Why we could not verify it: We found 2 studies behind this. We have not finished reading them yet, so we are not ready to say either way.
Calcium for Weight & Body Composition
Not verified1 study · 0 supporting · 0 against
9 safety notes
Dose: 162–1500 mg
Tested as: Mixed calcium salts across 18 trials. Carbonate most often. Also citrate, lactate and phosphate.
Why we could not verify it: We found 1 study on this. We have not finished reading them yet, so we are not ready to say either way.
Calcium for Low Mood
Not verified1 study · 0 supporting · 1 against
9 safety notes
Dose: 1000 mg
Tested as: Calcium carbonate, 1000 mg. Given with vitamin D3. Not calcium on its own.
Why we could not verify it: We found 1 study on this. We have not finished reading them yet, so we are not ready to say either way.
Calcium for Hair Thinning
Not verified1 study · 1 supporting · 0 against
9 safety notes
Dose: 1000 mg
Tested as: Calcium from fish bone, 1000 mg. Given with vitamin D3. Not a carbonate or citrate salt.
Why we could not verify it: We found 1 study on this. We have not finished reading them yet, so we are not ready to say either way.
Calcium for Skin Elasticity & Wrinkles
Not verified1 study · 0 supporting · 1 against
9 safety notes
Dose: 1000 mg
Tested as: Calcium from fish bone, 1000 mg. Given with vitamin D3. Not a carbonate or citrate salt.
Why we could not verify it: We found 1 study on this. We have not finished reading them yet, so we are not ready to say either way.
Calcium for Hot Flashes
Not verified1 study · 0 supporting · 1 against
9 safety notes
Dose: 1000 mg
Tested as: Calcium carbonate, 1000 mg. Given with vitamin D3. Not calcium on its own.
Why we could not verify it: We found 1 study on this. We have not finished reading them yet, so we are not ready to say either way.
Calcium for Brittle Nails
Not verified1 study · 0 supporting · 1 against
9 safety notes
Dose: 1000 mg
Tested as: Calcium citrate, 1 g elemental calcium daily
Why we could not verify it: We found 1 study on this. We have not finished reading them yet, so we are not ready to say either way.
Calcium for High Cholesterol
Not verified1 study · 1 supporting · 0 against
9 safety notes
Dose: 1000 mg
Tested as: Calcium citrate, 1 g elemental calcium daily
Why we could not verify it: We found 1 study on this. We have not finished reading them yet, so we are not ready to say either way.
Calcium for Poor Sleep Quality
Not verified1 study · 0 supporting · 1 against
9 safety notes
Dose: 1000 mg
Tested as: Calcium carbonate, 1000 mg. Given with vitamin D3. Not calcium on its own.
Why we could not verify it: We found 1 study on this. We have not finished reading them yet, so we are not ready to say either way.
Calcium for Acid Reflux
Not verified1 study · 1 supporting · 0 against
9 safety notes
Dose: 600–1000 mg
Tested as: Calcium carbonate: 1000 mg CaCO3 chewable antacid tablets, and antacid chewing gum containing 600 mg or 900 mg CaCO3. Single dose, taken as needed after a meal.
Why we could not verify it: We found 1 study on this. We have not finished reading them yet, so we are not ready to say either way.
Calcium for High Blood Pressure
Not verified1 study · 1 supporting · 0 against
9 safety notes
Dose: 1000–1500 mg
Tested as: Mixed calcium salts across 20 trials. Mostly carbonate. Some used citrate.
Why we could not verify it: We found 1 study on this. We have not finished reading them yet, so we are not ready to say either way.
Calcium for Chronic Fatigue
Not verified1 study · 0 supporting · 1 against
9 safety notes
Dose: 1000 mg
Tested as: Calcium carbonate, 1000 mg. Given with vitamin D3. Not calcium on its own.
Why we could not verify it: We found 1 study on this. We have not finished reading them yet, so we are not ready to say either way.
Calcium for PMS Symptoms
Not verified1 study · 1 supporting · 0 against
9 safety notes
Dose: 1200 mg
Why we could not verify it: We found the study behind this. We have not finished reading it yet, so we are not ready to say either way.