Drinking calcium on an empty stomach: Good or bad?

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Ho Viet Le Diem - General Internal Medicine - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Calcium is one of the most important elements, affecting the process of forming bones, teeth, skulls; Involved in blood clotting and muscle cell contraction. Each person should supplement calcium by eating foods daily or taking calcium in the form of tablets and water. So, when is the best time to take calcium?

Taking calcium on an empty stomach not only reduces absorption but also harms the stomach, kidneys, urinary tract; especially take calcium in the evening before going to bed. The amount of calcium that has not been excreted from the body will stay overnight in the stomach, hindering the absorption of calcium.
Nutrition experts recommend that calcium should be taken between meals with a diet rich in vegetables to use fiber as a "truck" for calcium to enter the small intestine, increasing calcium absorption.

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium effectively, so it is best to take calcium in the morning. This is the time when the body has a chance to get a lot of exposure to sunlight that contains vitamin D. The perfect time to help the body easily absorb calcium is from 7am to 8am.
Note that calcium should not be taken on an empty stomach, but should be taken before breakfast to avoid affecting the stomach. It is best to eat breakfast, sit in the sun on the patio, and drink calcium for about 1 hour after breakfast. This will help the body absorb the maximum amount of calcium needed.
When adding calcium to the body, it should not be added in a hurry but need to let the body absorb calcium slowly to be more effective. Therefore, you can divide the amount of calcium you need to supplement into 2 times a day, drink after breakfast and after lunch.

In particular, the issue of taking calcium at the best time for pregnant women should also be noted. Pregnant women often have to supplement with both calcium and DHA, taking these two at the same time does not affect their absorption efficiency, but it is best to take DHA right before or after meals, take calcium before or after meals. eat 30 minutes.

Do not drink calcium in the morning, especially after 9 pm. If you are taking antibiotics, take them about 2 hours apart. Do not take calcium at the same time as eating too salty foods, which can cause calcium loss through the urine. Do not take calcium after a meal with too much protein. Fat digestion can reduce the body's ability to absorb calcium. Do not drink calcium together with milk, fruit juice, coffee. Do not use high doses of calcium, only drink a sufficient amount because the body cannot absorb the entire amount of calcium you drink, excess calcium can increase the risk of kidney stone formation, adversely affecting health. Do not take calcium with green tea because the tannins in green tea can interfere with calcium absorption. Pregnant women with anemia should not take calcium with iron supplements. Iron should not be taken with calcium-rich milk, which can interfere with the absorption of both elements. Some current calcium supplements contain small amounts of lead, which can adversely affect fetal development. Pregnant women when taking calcium need to choose carefully and consult a doctor.

Calcium is especially important for the development of pregnancy, so pregnant women need to be very careful when supplementing with this substance. In order for the pregnancy to take place safely, smoothly, and to keep both mother and baby healthy, pregnant women should have a plan for regular antenatal check-ups at reputable hospitals.
Maternity care package of Vinmec International General Hospital is a wise choice for pregnant women. When participating in the package, pregnant women will be comprehensively monitored and cared for regularly, based on the results of the examination, the doctor will detect fetal abnormalities, thereby advising the pregnant woman on measures to take. interventions to ensure the health of mothers and children.