Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesSide EffectsPrecautionsDosageToxicityInteractionsHow to StoreAlternativesFood SourcesSupplements
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Side Effects
Precautions
Dosage
Toxicity
Interactions
How to Store
Alternatives
Food Sources
Supplements
Tricalcium phosphateis a supplement form ofcalciumphosphate used to treat or prevent calcium deficiencies that cannot be fixed throughdiet. Calcium is key to strong bones, healthy heart rhythms, and more.
Tricalcium phosphate is also used as a food additive.It is considered safe to use as a food additive and supplement, but it is not appropriate for all people. It may interact with some medications and it can have negative side effects.
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 independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
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Benefits of Tricalcium Phosphate
Tricalcium phosphate is one of many forms of calcium supplements available. Some people take calcium supplements if they are not getting enough calcium from their diet alone. It may also be used to treat deficiencies in another mineral called phosphate.
Treatment for Calcium Deficiency
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body. It’s most well known for its role in buildingstrong bonesand teeth. But it’s also involved in numerous other functions, from muscle contraction and heart rhythm to blood clotting and the transmission of nerve signals.
The body can’t make calcium on its own, so it must come from your diet. If your body doesn’t get enough calcium or doesn’t absorb calcium properly, you can develop calcium deficiency.
Early stages of calcium deficiency may not cause symptoms. Over time, calcium deficiency can result in reduced bone strength. Left untreated, calcium deficiency can lead toosteoporosis, a condition also known as “thin bones” or “low bone density.”
Other signs of calcium deficiency may include:
Tricalcium phosphate is sometimes used to prevent and treat severe calcium deficiency. If you have a mild case of calcium deficiency, or who simply wish toadd more calciumto your diet, tricalcium phosphate might not be right for you.
Tricalcium phosphate is a significant source of calcium. Excessive intake of calcium from tricalcium phosphate supplements can lead tohypercalcemia(high calcium levels). This condition can lead to severe side effects, including vomiting,kidney stones, and heart rhythm disturbances.
If you are thinking about supplementing with calcium, talk to your healthcare provider. Your provider may wish to have your calcium levels tested before recommending a dosage that is safe and appropriate for you.
Treatment for Phosphate Deficiency
Phosphorousis the second most abundant mineral in the human body behind calcium. It, too, is involved in teeth and bone formation, along with other functions like energy production, tissue growth and repair, and more.
A significant amount of phosphorous is converted into phosphate ions in the body. This conversion allows the phosphorous to be used more effectively for a variety of physiological functions.
Phosphate deficiency is rare, but it can happen if you do not consume enough phosphorus from your diet, or if your body does not absorb or utilize the phosphorous well. Phosphate deficiency can happen as a result of several genetic, drug-induced, or medical reasons.
While mild phosphate deficiency often causes no symptoms, chronic or severe phosphate deficiency may cause:
Tricalcium phosphate contains both calcium and phosphate. Thus, if you have been diagnosed with a phosphate deficiency that cannot be treated through diet alone, your healthcare provider may start you on tricalcium phosphate supplements to reintroduce phosphate to your body.
Side Effects of Tricalcium Phosphate
Sometimes, tricalcium phosphate may cause certain side effects, such as:
Pregnant or breastfeeding people and those with certain health conditions, likekidney stonesorparathyroidgland disorder, shouldtalk to their healthcare providers before taking tricalcium phosphate.
People with kidney disease should not use tricalcium phosphate to supplement calcium. They may have problems clearing the additional phosphorus resulting in high blood levels of phosphorus (hyperphosphatemia).
Tricalcium phosphate can make it more difficult for your body to absorb other medications. If you currently take any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, discuss with your healthcare provider how they may interact with tricalcium phosphate.
How Much Tricalcium Phosphate Should I Take?
Your body will adjust how much calcium it absorbs based on the quantity consumed. For example, if you take in 200 milligrams of calcium, your body will absorb about 45%. However, if you take in 2,000 milligrams of calcium, absorption may drop to 15% since the amount is more than one needs.
Your body cannot absorb more than 500 milligrams of calcium at one time.Therefore, you should not take more than this amount at once. You can split up your dosage amounts throughout the day.
If you are considering supplementing with tricalcium phosphate, remember that you will still receive calcium in the food you already eat. You may want to talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to determine which dosage is right for you.
Supplement Facts
What if I Take Too Much Tricalcium Phosphate?
If you take too much calcium in the form of supplements, you may feel side effects such as gas, bloating, or constipation.
Supplementing too much tricalcium phosphate can lead to hypercalcemia or increase the risk of developing kidney stones or possibly a cardiovascular event, like a heart attack.
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Calcium supplements have the potential to interact with some medications, making it difficult for your body to absorb the calcium or the drug being taken. You should take your supplements separately from these medications.
If you currently take any prescription or OTC drugs, discuss with your healthcare provider how they may interact with tricalcium phosphate.
Some medications that may interact with tricalcium phosphate include, but are not limited to:
How to Store Tricalcium Phosphate
All supplements should be stored out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidental consumption. Tricalcium phosphate should also be stored at room temperature (between 68°F and 77°F) and away from heat and moisture.
Similar Supplements
Calcium carbonate and calcium acetate areother forms of calcium supplements. Other forms include calcium sulfate, ascorbate, microcrystalline hydroxyapatite, gluconate, and lactate.
These forms differ in the amount of elemental calcium they have. Generally, tricalcium phosphate does not offer any advantages over the other calcium forms.
Tricalcium phosphate is sometimes referred to as tribasic calcium phosphate, bone phosphate of lime, or calcium phosphate.
Food Sources of Tricalcium Phosphate
If you need calcium supplementation, discuss with your healthcare provider the proper type of supplement for you and the appropriate dosage.
Foods high in calcium include:
Tricalcium Phosphate Supplements
Calcium phosphate is generally recognized as safe when produced with good manufacturing practices.
Tricalcium phosphate supplements are best taken with food and a full glass of water.
Some calcium supplements are combined with other vitamins and minerals. Commonly, they are combined with vitamin D ormagnesium. Be sure to read the labels carefully to see whether the supplement you are considering contains other nutrients.
Tricalcium phosphate is vegan unless derived from dolomite, oyster shell, or bone meal. In addition to not being vegan, supplements made from those ingredients may contain high levels of lead and other metals.
Read the label carefully, especially if you have allergies or sensitivities, to determine the source of the ingredients and whether the supplement you are considering is free of allergens. Additionally, the supplement facts label should list the quantity of elemental calcium.
Be wary of supplements that make unsubstantiated claims. No supplement should claim that it can treat, cure, or prevent diseases.
Summary
Tricalcium phosphate is just one of many forms of calcium supplements available. It is commonly used as a food additive, but can also be taken as a nutritional supplement. For some people who cannot get enough calcium from foods, supplementation is needed. However, it is generally best to get your calcium through your diet.
If you needcalcium supplements, discuss with your healthcare provider which form and what dosage is most appropriate for you.
14 SourcesVerywell 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.Moussaoui Y, Terrisse H, Quillard S, Ropers MH, Humbert B.The true nature of tricalcium phosphate used as food additive (E341(iii)).Nanomaterials (Basel). 2023 Jun;13(12):1823. doi:10.3390/nano13121823Kaiser Permanente.Calcium phosphate, tribasic (tricalcium phosphate).Office of Dietary Supplements.Calcium.Harvard Health Publishing.Calcium.Dowhan Hoag L, Dharmarajan TS. (2021).Calcium and phosphorus. In:Pitchumoni, C.S., Dharmarajan, T. (eds) Geriatric Gastroenterology. Springer, Cham. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-30192-7_26Wong S.A review of current evidence on the relationship between phosphate metabolism and metabolic syndrome.Nutrients. 2022 Oct;14(21):4525. doi:10.3390/nu14214525Aljuraibah F, Bacchetta J, Brandi M, et al.An expert perspective on phosphate dysregulation with a focus on chronic hypophosphatemia.J Bone Miner Res. 2022 Jan;37(1):12-20. doi:10.1002/jbmr.4486Baretto F, Baretto D, Massy Z, Drüeke T.Strategies for phosphate control in patients with CKD.Kidney Int Rep. 2019 Aug;4(8):1043–1056. doi:10.1016/j.ekir.2019.06.002Johns Hopkins Medicine.Calcium supplements: Should you take them?.UpToDate.Patient education: calcium and vitamin D for bone health (beyond the basics).World Health Organization.Tricalcium phosphate.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21.Nessa F, Khan SA, Abu Shawish KY.Lead, cadmium and nickel contents of some medicinal agents.Indian J Pharm Sci. 2016;78(1):111-119. doi:10.4103/0250-474X.180260U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA 101: dietary supplements.
14 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.Moussaoui Y, Terrisse H, Quillard S, Ropers MH, Humbert B.The true nature of tricalcium phosphate used as food additive (E341(iii)).Nanomaterials (Basel). 2023 Jun;13(12):1823. doi:10.3390/nano13121823Kaiser Permanente.Calcium phosphate, tribasic (tricalcium phosphate).Office of Dietary Supplements.Calcium.Harvard Health Publishing.Calcium.Dowhan Hoag L, Dharmarajan TS. (2021).Calcium and phosphorus. In:Pitchumoni, C.S., Dharmarajan, T. (eds) Geriatric Gastroenterology. Springer, Cham. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-30192-7_26Wong S.A review of current evidence on the relationship between phosphate metabolism and metabolic syndrome.Nutrients. 2022 Oct;14(21):4525. doi:10.3390/nu14214525Aljuraibah F, Bacchetta J, Brandi M, et al.An expert perspective on phosphate dysregulation with a focus on chronic hypophosphatemia.J Bone Miner Res. 2022 Jan;37(1):12-20. doi:10.1002/jbmr.4486Baretto F, Baretto D, Massy Z, Drüeke T.Strategies for phosphate control in patients with CKD.Kidney Int Rep. 2019 Aug;4(8):1043–1056. doi:10.1016/j.ekir.2019.06.002Johns Hopkins Medicine.Calcium supplements: Should you take them?.UpToDate.Patient education: calcium and vitamin D for bone health (beyond the basics).World Health Organization.Tricalcium phosphate.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21.Nessa F, Khan SA, Abu Shawish KY.Lead, cadmium and nickel contents of some medicinal agents.Indian J Pharm Sci. 2016;78(1):111-119. doi:10.4103/0250-474X.180260U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA 101: dietary supplements.
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.
Moussaoui Y, Terrisse H, Quillard S, Ropers MH, Humbert B.The true nature of tricalcium phosphate used as food additive (E341(iii)).Nanomaterials (Basel). 2023 Jun;13(12):1823. doi:10.3390/nano13121823Kaiser Permanente.Calcium phosphate, tribasic (tricalcium phosphate).Office of Dietary Supplements.Calcium.Harvard Health Publishing.Calcium.Dowhan Hoag L, Dharmarajan TS. (2021).Calcium and phosphorus. In:Pitchumoni, C.S., Dharmarajan, T. (eds) Geriatric Gastroenterology. Springer, Cham. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-30192-7_26Wong S.A review of current evidence on the relationship between phosphate metabolism and metabolic syndrome.Nutrients. 2022 Oct;14(21):4525. doi:10.3390/nu14214525Aljuraibah F, Bacchetta J, Brandi M, et al.An expert perspective on phosphate dysregulation with a focus on chronic hypophosphatemia.J Bone Miner Res. 2022 Jan;37(1):12-20. doi:10.1002/jbmr.4486Baretto F, Baretto D, Massy Z, Drüeke T.Strategies for phosphate control in patients with CKD.Kidney Int Rep. 2019 Aug;4(8):1043–1056. doi:10.1016/j.ekir.2019.06.002Johns Hopkins Medicine.Calcium supplements: Should you take them?.UpToDate.Patient education: calcium and vitamin D for bone health (beyond the basics).World Health Organization.Tricalcium phosphate.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21.Nessa F, Khan SA, Abu Shawish KY.Lead, cadmium and nickel contents of some medicinal agents.Indian J Pharm Sci. 2016;78(1):111-119. doi:10.4103/0250-474X.180260U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA 101: dietary supplements.
Moussaoui Y, Terrisse H, Quillard S, Ropers MH, Humbert B.The true nature of tricalcium phosphate used as food additive (E341(iii)).Nanomaterials (Basel). 2023 Jun;13(12):1823. doi:10.3390/nano13121823
Kaiser Permanente.Calcium phosphate, tribasic (tricalcium phosphate).
Office of Dietary Supplements.Calcium.
Harvard Health Publishing.Calcium.
Dowhan Hoag L, Dharmarajan TS. (2021).Calcium and phosphorus. In:Pitchumoni, C.S., Dharmarajan, T. (eds) Geriatric Gastroenterology. Springer, Cham. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-30192-7_26
Wong S.A review of current evidence on the relationship between phosphate metabolism and metabolic syndrome.Nutrients. 2022 Oct;14(21):4525. doi:10.3390/nu14214525
Aljuraibah F, Bacchetta J, Brandi M, et al.An expert perspective on phosphate dysregulation with a focus on chronic hypophosphatemia.J Bone Miner Res. 2022 Jan;37(1):12-20. doi:10.1002/jbmr.4486
Baretto F, Baretto D, Massy Z, Drüeke T.Strategies for phosphate control in patients with CKD.Kidney Int Rep. 2019 Aug;4(8):1043–1056. doi:10.1016/j.ekir.2019.06.002
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Calcium supplements: Should you take them?.
UpToDate.Patient education: calcium and vitamin D for bone health (beyond the basics).
World Health Organization.Tricalcium phosphate.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21.
Nessa F, Khan SA, Abu Shawish KY.Lead, cadmium and nickel contents of some medicinal agents.Indian J Pharm Sci. 2016;78(1):111-119. doi:10.4103/0250-474X.180260
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA 101: dietary supplements.
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