Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsDeficiencySide EffectsPrecautionsDosageToxicityInteractionsStorageSimilar SupplementsSources & What to Look For
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
Deficiency
Side Effects
Precautions
Dosage
Toxicity
Interactions
Storage
Similar Supplements
Sources & What to Look For
Calcium lactate is calcium paired with lactic acid. The body needs calcium to support bone, heart, muscle, and nerve health. Boosting calcium intake through supplements or food may help reduce cancer and heart disease risk, lower blood pressure, and prevent osteoporosis.Chewing gum with calcium lactate may also benefit oral health, though more research is needed.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for third-party tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
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Benefits of Calcium Lactate
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. It is required for bone health and for heart, muscle, and nerve function. In the body, blood calcium levels remain relatively consistent and unchanged. Calcium is acquired from dietary sources.
Apart from calcium for bone health, additional possible benefits of calcium lactate supplementation include improved heart and oral health, cancer prevention, reduced blood pressure, and improved exercise performance.
Bone Health
Therefore, more tablets may be required to get the same bone health benefits if you are taking calcium lactate.
Heart Health
An older study examined the effect of calcium lactate supplementation on cholesterol in 43 people withhyperlipidemiaand previous viral inflammation of the liver. The study participants were divided into a test group and a control (placebo) group. The test group was given calcium lactate and vitamin C three times a day for four weeks.
This study shows promise for calcium lactate supplementation on heart health. However, it was small and used a relatively low dose of calcium lactate. Additional studies are needed to validate the role of calcium lactate supplementation in relation to heart health.
Oral Health
The study participants wore the enamel slabs in one of the following ways:
They did this four times a day for two weeks.
Remineralization was found to be greater after chewing xylitol and calcium lactate gum than in the other groups. This led researchers to conclude that it might increase remineralization of tooth enamel surfaces.
However, researchers of an earlier study on calcium lactate pre-rinse found that it did not significantly affect plaque fluoride concentration under any condition.
The mixed results and small sample size of these studies mean further research is needed before calcium lactate can be recommended for oral health.
Cancer Prevention
Low levels of dietary calcium have been linked with an increased risk of colorectal cancer in some studies. Other studies suggest that increasing calcium intake may lower the risk for the recurrence of colorectal adenomas.
A study analyzing 922 cases of colorectal cancer compared to 2766 control cases found high calcium consumption (greater than 567 milligrams per day) was associated with a lower colorectal cancer risk compared to the group with the lowest calcium intake (less than 335 milligrams per day).
However, authors of a 2022 systematic review concluded calcium intake showed contradictory effects as a prevention or treatment tool for colorectal cancer and that further studies are needed to better understand the role of calcium in colorectal cancer prevention and treatment.
However, evidence on the relationship between calcium intake from foods or supplements and different forms of cancer is inconsistent.In addition, none of these studies specified the form of calcium consumed or supplemented, so it is unknown whether calcium lactate would produce similar results.
Reduced Blood Pressure
Several large observational studies have shown an association between lower calcium intake and a higher risk ofhypertension(high blood pressure).
Researchers who reviewed 20 clinical trials found an increase in calcium intake slightly reduces both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and that calcium supplementation greater than 1000 milligrams caused a greater blood pressure reduction.
However, the review didn’t specify what form of calcium was used in these studies, and the study authors noted further research is needed to determine the ideal dosage of supplementation and whether it is more effective and safer to increase calcium as part of the diet or as a supplement.
Exercise Performance
Researchers studied the effects of calcium lactate on repeated high-intensity exercise performance. They measured blood pH and bicarbonate of physically active young men at several time increments after ingestion of calcium lactate or placebo.
The study found that both low- and high-dose calcium lactate supplementation increased blood pH and bicarbonate. However, the increase was not enough to improve repeated high-intensity exercise performance.
A 2017 double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined the effect of long-term calcium lactate supplementation on blood pH, bicarbonate, and high-intensity intermittent exercise performance.
Calcium lactate, sodium bicarbonate, or placebo was given to 18 athletes four times a day for five days. The researchers concluded that calcium lactate supplementation did not enhance high-intensity intermittent performance.
These studies demonstrate that calcium lactate may not be beneficial for exercise performance. Additional studies may help researchers understand the mixed results of previous, earlier studies.
Calcium Deficiency
Long-term calcium deficiency can causeosteoporosis, a weakening of the bones that increases the risk of fracture.
Can Osteoporosis Be Reversed?
What Causes a Calcium Deficiency?
Your body cannot make its own calcium. If you do not get enough calcium from your diet, your body will take it from your bones to maintain the appropriate levels of calcium in the blood and throughout the body.
Groups At Risk of Calcium Deficiency
Certain people are at greater risk of developing a calcium deficiency. These include:
What Is Vitamin D Deficiency?
How Do I Know if I Have a Calcium Deficiency?
Calcium deficiency doesn’t always have symptoms. For some people, a broken bone may be the first sign of osteoporosis.
When calcium deficiency does cause symptoms, they may include:
What Are the Side Effects of Calcium Lactate?
In smaller doses, calcium lactate seems to be well tolerated. However, high calcium intake can cause some side effects. These include:
Supplemental calcium, not from food, may increase the risk ofkidney stones.
Dosage: How Much Calcium Lactate Should I Take?
Calcium is easiest for your body to absorb from dietary sources, especially dairy products. If you take supplements, it’s best to take smaller amounts (500 mg or less) and spread out with two or more doses a day.
Usual dosages range anywhere from 200 mg up to 1,000 mg depending on the brand and manufacturer.
Determining the exact amount of calcium in calcium supplements can be tricky because pure elemental calcium is mixed with a filler during the manufacturing process. Check the label to find out how much elemental calcium is provided per pill.
In a 200-milligram tablet of calcium lactate, there are about 26 milligrams of elemental calcium.
Recommended Dietary Allowances for Calcium
What Happens if I Take Too Much Calcium Lactate?
Excessively high levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia) can cause serious side effects, such as:
Calcium supplements may interact with some medications, including antibiotics, lithium, dolutegravir, andlevothyroxine.
It is essential to carefully read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review the supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss any potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.
How to Store Calcium Lactate
Store calcium lactate in a cool, dry place in its original packaging.
Calcium lactate is one of several forms of calcium available as a supplement. Others include:
The best calcium supplement for you depends on your preference as well as your medical needs. Calcium carbonate and calcium citrate are the most often recommended. Calcium carbonate may be more cost-effective.
Calcium lactate contains only 13% elemental calcium, which means you have to take more of it than most other forms of calcium.
Calcium citrate supplements are easier for your body to absorb and do not need to be taken with food. This type of calcium is recommended for people taking PPIs. You need to take more calcium citrate in order to meet your recommended daily allowance since these supplements contain only half as much elemental calcium as calcium carbonate.
Calcium gluconate contains only 9% elemental calcium.
Calcium Citrate vs. Calcium Carbonate: Which to Take?
Sources of Calcium Lactate and What to Look For
It is always best to get your calcium from dietary sources. Calcium in foods is more bioavailable, which means you will absorb more calcium from what you eat than you will from supplements.
Food Sources of Calcium
Good dietary sources of calcium include:
Keep in mind that you need vitamin D to help you absorb calcium. Vitamin D can be found in a few foods like egg yolks, but you can also get it from sun exposure.
Calcium Lactate Supplements
As a dietary supplement, calcium lactate is most commonly available in the form of tablets, capsules, or powders.
Supplement FactsActive ingredient:CalciumLegal status:Available over the counterSuggested dose:200 milligrams (mg) to 1,000 mg, depending on manufacturerSafety considerations:High levels of calcium can cause kidney problems, including kidney stones and poor kidney function
Supplement Facts
Active ingredient:CalciumLegal status:Available over the counterSuggested dose:200 milligrams (mg) to 1,000 mg, depending on manufacturerSafety considerations:High levels of calcium can cause kidney problems, including kidney stones and poor kidney function
Summary
Calcium lactate is a type of calcium supplement. It contains less elemental calcium than other kinds of calcium supplements and may be less bioavailable.
Calcium lactate, along with other kinds of calcium supplements, may help support heart and bone health. It may also help protect against tooth enamel loss.
Taking calcium lactate supplements may help prevent calcium deficiency and osteoporosis, but other supplements like calcium carbonate and calcium citrate may provide more benefits at lower doses.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Andryskowski G, Chojnowska-Jezierska J, Broncel M, Barylski M, Banach M.Effect of calcium lactate supplementation on cholesterol concentration in patients with hyperlipidaemia and previous viral hepatitis: a preliminary report.Cardiovasc J Afr.2008;19(2):84-87.
Turssi CP, Hara AT, Amaral FL, França FM, Basting RT.Calcium lactate pre-rinse increased fluoride protection against enamel erosion in a randomized controlled in situ trial.J Dent. 2014;42(5):534-539. doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2014.02.012
American Cancer Society.Can colorectal cancer be prevented?
Han C, Shin A, Lee J, Lee J, et al.Dietary calcium intake and the risk of colorectal cancer: a case control study.BMC Cancer. 2015 Dec 16;15:966. doi: 10.1186/s12885-015-1963-9
Cruz-Pierard SM, Nestares T, Amaro-Gahete FJ.Vitamin D and Calcium as Key Potential Factors Related to Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Treatment: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2022 Nov 21;14(22):4934. doi: 10.3390/nu14224934
Cormick G, Ciapponi A, Cafferata ML, et al.Calcium supplementation for prevention of primary hypertension. Cochrane Hypertension Group, ed. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2022;2022(1). doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD010037.pub4
Painelli Vde S, da Silva RP, de Oliveira OM Jr, et al.The effects of two different doses of calcium lactate on blood pH, bicarbonate, and repeated high-intensity exercise performance.Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2014;24(3):286-295. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.2013-0191
Oliveira LF, de Salles Painelli V, Nemezio K, et al.Chronic lactate supplementation does not improve blood buffering capacity and repeated high-intensity exercise.Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2017;27(11):1231-1239. doi:10.1111/sms.12792
Merck Manual.Hypocalcemia (low level of calcium in the blood).
Sorensen MD.Calcium intake and urinary stone disease. Transl Androl Urol. 2014 Sep;3(3):235-40. doi: 10.3978/j.issn.2223-4683.2014.06.05
Harvard Medical School.By the way doctor: how long does calcium absorption take?
Merck Manual.Hypercalcemia.
Office of Dietary Supplements.Calcium.Office of Dietary Supplements.Calcium.Trailokya A, Srivastava A, Bhole M, Zalte N.Calcium and calcium salts.J Assoc Physicians India; 65(2):100-103.Trailokya A, Srivastava A, Bhole M, Zalte N.Calcium and calcium salts.J Assoc Physicians India; 65(2):100-103.
Office of Dietary Supplements.Calcium.
Trailokya A, Srivastava A, Bhole M, Zalte N.Calcium and calcium salts.J Assoc Physicians India; 65(2):100-103.
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