Serious Side Effects from Excess Calcium

Dr. Eric Berg 08/22/2024

Okay, let me tell you something important – excess calcium symptoms are often overlooked. We always hear about calcium being crucial for our bones. But what happens when you have too much of a good thing?

It's like trying to stuff one more thing into an already-full suitcase – something's gotta give. Today, we’re connecting the dots on those excess calcium symptoms you might be experiencing and why it's vital to understand what's really happening beneath the surface.

What Happens With Excess Calcium in the Body

Think of calcium like the cement of our bodies – essential for building strong bones and teeth. This mineral also plays a crucial role in nerve function and helps muscles contract.

But when we have a high calcium level, it can wreak havoc, causing it to build up in the wrong places. Instead of smooth-flowing pathways, think of it like traffic jams within your own body.

Excess Calcium Symptoms

Now, some might be surprised to learn that high calcium levels don’t always stem from taking too many supplements. Sometimes, it’s a matter of calcium being "locked up," meaning it's not absorbed and utilized properly.

Think about it: just because you put gas in your car doesn’t mean it will automatically run smoothly. Your car, like your body, needs all its parts to function in sync.

Let's look at some of those sneaky excess calcium symptoms:

Heart Health

Ever experience those sudden chest pains? What about heart palpitations? Yeah, those could be potential excess calcium symptoms. When calcium overstimulates your heart muscles, it can throw off your rhythm, leading to conditions like:

Angina (chest pain)
Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)
High Blood Pressure

Remember, your heart needs to relax as much as it needs to contract. But excessive calcium can keep those muscles tense, leading to serious cardiovascular issues. This can also increase your risk of certain blood cancers.

Joints and Muscles

Think about those annoying joint aches. That stiffness and decreased mobility might just be due to calcium deposits forming in those areas. Have you ever felt that grinding, popping, or clicking in your joints? These can be some tell-tale signs of high blood calcium levels:

Soft Tissue Calcification: Imagine calcium hardening in your arteries (hello, plaque buildup.). This calcification can also impact your joints, causing those familiar - and often frustrating - itis conditions like bursitis, tendonitis, and arthritis.
Muscle Weakness: Ever experience those sudden, sharp muscle spasms? That's often excess calcium interfering with muscle relaxation. Muscle weakness can impact your time sitting, your ability to bear weight, and your mobility in general.

Digestive Distress

Constipation, another common issue. What’s often recommended? Magnesium. It's not a coincidence that magnesium helps to relax those muscles and can counteract excess calcium. Other symptoms that may be related to having high calcium are:

Bloating
Abdominal Pain
Frequent Urination

Mental and Emotional Health

You might be thinking, "What does my mental state have to do with high calcium?" Well, just like calcium impacts muscles in other parts of your body, it also affects neurotransmitters in your brain.

Too much calcium can create an imbalance, contributing to issues like:

Insomnia
Anxiety
Brain Fog
Depression

These symptoms can affect your brain works and your body's ability to function.

Addressing the Root Causes of Excess Calcium Symptoms

We've seen the symptoms, but it's not about living in fear of calcium. I encourage patients to look at the root cause of what is causing those high calcium symptoms. It's like noticing a crack in your wall - it’s not enough to simply paint over it, we have to see what's causing it.

Dietary Considerations:

Calcium Carbonate Overload: Let’s face it, some calcium supplements out there are basically glorified rocks. It's not about avoiding calcium altogether. It’s about making smart choices and being mindful of excessive intake, especially calcium carbonate, which is poorly absorbed.
Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency: Have you heard the saying, "Fat is your friend?" Well, in this case, it rings true. Those healthy fats, like those found in omega-3 fatty acids, are vital for transporting calcium within the body. A diet lacking in these healthy fats can contribute to calcium imbalances.

Lifestyle Factors

Chronic Stress: Stress affects our hormones, including cortisol levels. Elevated cortisol due to chronic stress can increase calcium in your bloodstream. This can also put you at a higher risk for breast cancer and lung cancer.
Poor Vitamin D Status: I want to be clear: both low and high vitamin D can influence calcium levels. When your vitamin D levels are insufficient, your parathyroid gland goes into overdrive, increasing calcium release into your blood. It’s all about balance. You can get your blood calcium level checked with a blood test.

Medical Conditions

Sometimes, excess calcium symptoms may be caused by underlying medical conditions such as:

Overactive Parathyroid Glands (Hyperparathyroidism): This occurs when one or more of your parathyroid glands produce too much parathyroid hormone, leading to elevated blood calcium levels.
Kidney Problems: Your kidneys play a vital role in filtering excess calcium from your blood. Kidney problems can lead to calcium build-up. This can cause problems in how your kidneys work and can even lead to kidney failure.
Certain Medications: Some medications, like thiazide diuretics, can raise blood calcium levels as a side effect. Treatment options will vary depending on the medication and its intended use.
Other Conditions: Other conditions that can contribute to excess calcium symptoms include certain types of cancer (such as bone cancer, multiple myeloma, and some lymphomas) and granulomatous diseases (like sarcoidosis).

Working With Your Healthcare Practitioner: It Takes a Team.

I want to leave you with this important message. Everyone’s body is unique. What works for one person might not work for another. This isn't a one-size-fits-all situation.

When it comes to addressing excess calcium symptoms, it takes a collaborative effort with a healthcare professional who can guide you.

They’ll help you address specific symptoms, uncover the underlying causes, and develop an effective, tailored plan to restore balance in your body.

The Hidden Cost of Calcium

Delves into the often-overlooked consequences of excessive calcium intake.

While calcium is crucial for bone health and other bodily functions, too much of it can lead to serious health issues, such as kidney stones, cardiovascular problems, and impaired absorption of other essential minerals.

These symptoms can silently disrupt your overall well-being, manifesting in ways that are easily mistaken for other conditions. Balancing your diet with a variety of nutrient-rich foods, like spaghetti squash, can help ensure you’re not overloading on calcium.

Spaghetti squash, for instance, offers a delicious, low-calorie alternative to traditional pasta while providing a good mix of vitamins and minerals, helping you maintain a balanced intake without the risk of excessive calcium.

By being mindful of your calcium consumption and incorporating diverse foods into your diet, you can protect your health and enjoy a more balanced approach to nutrition.