What’s the Latest Evidence-Based Research on Calcium?

Find out in our Updated Calcium Fact Sheet

Your body needs the mineral calcium to build and maintain strong bones, to move your muscles, and for your nerves to carry messages. Calcium also helps your blood vessels move blood and helps release hormones that affect many functions in your body.

Getting too little calcium can cause soft, weak bones in children and adults. But getting too much calcium isn’t good either.

Are you getting the right amount? Which foods contain calcium? What kinds of calcium supplements are available? Does calcium affect weight management, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, or cancer?

To find answers to these questions and learn about the latest calcium research, see our updated fact sheet for consumers.

An updated health professional version of our calcium fact sheet is also available. And look for an updated Spanish version soon.