For either osteoporosis treatment or prevention, supplemental calcium and/or vitamin D should be added to the diet if daily intake is inadequate.

Research suggests that high intake of dietary or supplemental calcium seems to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.

Patients should receive supplemental calcium and vitamin D during treatment with parathyroid hormone.

Unlike supplemental calcium, high intakes of dietary calcium do not appear to cause kidney stones and may actually protect against their development.

Talk with your physician about whether or not you need to take supplemental calcium.

(Consult your doctor if you take supplemental calcium; some research has suggested that calcium could protect the heart.)

A dairy-free diet may need supplemental calcium, especially for children, teenage girls and pregnant women.

Those who use it should consume at least 1,000 milligrams of supplemental calcium and 400 international units of vitamin D each day.

Removal results in hypoparathyroidism and a need for supplemental calcium and vitamin D each day.

An effective dosage for supplemental calcium is 800 to 1,200 milligrams per day for most women.