How much supplement is too much in an attempt to help our bones?

I am encountering the same problem and am finding it very difficult to determine whether I am actually overdosing on Calcium, Vitamin D3, Omega-3, Copper and various others that I haven't checked out yet.

Calcium is contained in a tablet that I take morning and evening. The same tablet also contains D3. My Rice or Coconut milk is fortified with Calcium, vitamins D and B12. My fish (mackerel) contains Omega-3 and so does my Chia seeds that I use with my cerial and so it goes on. The list is endless and the more I research, the more confusing it becomes. It seems that there is no definitive upper limit set on most of the supplements although it is stated in various book that calcium can deposit in the arteries if there is insufficient Vitamins D3, K2, zinc and copper to ensure that the calcium is only used for making bones. It does seem that you need an encyclopedic brain and an unlimited source of good information. I'm not sure that any information that you dig up today will still be valid tomorrow since the pundits and those who think that they know the answer, regularly change the goalposts.

I've just ended up doing the best that I can but leaving my mind open to any and all information on the supplements subject. The calcium one frightens me a little because coronary or kidney stone problems are to be seriously avoided, but it was a calcium absorbance deficiency that got me on the osteoporosis bandwagon with a cause totally unrelated to supplements or dietry considerations!

I'm not sure that there is a winning answer on this one.

It's more a case of take care and try use common sense.

Hope that I didn't bore you, just supporting and adding to your comments. Nice to chat with you again

Regards, Colin.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that over 50 percent of Americans don't consume adequate magnesium, while approximately 37 percent lack the manganese they need daily.

Through a varied diet that includes plenty of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean protein.

You should have your doctor do a blood serum analysis to see what your levers are the moment which should include zinc.

Too much Magnesium may cause diarrhea.

Magnesium also plays a role in bone health and energy metabolism. In addition, magnesium triggers the activity of over 300 enzymes, helps maintain the electrochemical balance your neurons and muscles need to work and aids in the production of DNA and RNA.

Manganese helps regulate your blood sugar and supports the health of your nervous system. You need it to absorb calcium, break down carbohydrates and fats, and synthesize bones, endocrine hormones, connective tissue, the proteins necessary for blood coagulation and the enzyme superoxide dismutase, a powerful antioxidant. I take 1000 mgs of calcium citrate three times a day for Osteoporosis, in the hips, but I still bowl 40 games a week at age 71.. Your body cannot absorb more than that at one time.

Also Vitamin D3 is produced by the exposure of the sun on your body. The recommended dosage is 2000 mgs per day, taken when one dose of calcium is taken.Once again the doctor need to test the calcium and Vitamin D3 levels in your blood. The maximum, which I take, is 4,000 mgs in the morning. The blood serum test for Vitamin D levels were fine.

You never mentioned if you had Osteoporosis. I did find out that for men, at least in the U.S. the age to be tested is 69-70.

I do allot of research on many topics. The Osteoporosis Foundation sent me an immaculate PDF file which had the same age recommendations for men. I then called the Foundation. They informed me that due to funding problems, they are not able to do other age studies for men.

As for women, I think the testing starts after menopause.I Canada, the age for men is about 65. Oh yes, I asked my Health provider, Kaiser Permanente to see it they would be willing to study their own database for men.  They had no interest. I shall in the future write a letter tot the CEO. I am a retired engineer, but with many hobbies to keep my mind active as well as my body. I hope the info helps. Let me know.

Before I begin, one must daily do weight bearing exersizes. I started to keep files on my reponses by patient.

 I am 71 and I was first tested at age 70. These are the guidelines in the U.S I did talk to the osteoporosis foundation after they sent me a wonderful PDF file that proved worthless. I called them to as where the age recommendation for men came from. They told me that they do not have sufficient funds to revise their recommendations. Unfortunately just about every reputable website has the same age recommendation. Now in Canada it is at age 65.

There problem I see is that men once the get a fracture in their hips the mortality rate sky rockets to a maximum of one year!

First I still bowl 30 games a week.

First I had a complete blood test panel done first.

Now it was recommended that one should take 2000 mgs of Vitamin D3. Have been an engineer, I was taught to question everything. Anyway despite my doctor’s recommendations I started out with 4,000   mgs of Vitamin D3. I also recently read some where that one can take 4,000 mgs of D3. Anyway, when I had another blood paned done after a year, the D3 levels were normal, thus every one is different.

With calcium there is an upper limit for the total amount taken in a day. The body can only absorb 1,000 mgs at a time. Thus I take Calcium Citrate three times a day and the D3 in the morning.

Also I had been taking a year ago Magnesium, but it caused diarrhea. The recent blood test came back with magnesium level as normal.

Also, my doctor without telling me the results which were severe, just started me on the pills. I always check everything as mentioned. The pill would have cause ulcers in esophagus which I knew about and told the doctor did not prescribe me the correct medication! He had to go to my gastroenterologist to confirm my findings! He apologized twice to me. Thus I was started on an IV of Reclast once a year. Now if you know anyone who is about to Reclast, make sur that the have some strong pain pills as Narco for at last three weeks. I even developed a phantom pain in my bowling elbow! The sent me to therapy. After the fourth visit I fired the therapist. I then bought a 10 lb. bar and curled it to 160 a day. I then went to 14 lb. weight and curled that to 120 a day. I also was on Narco and Tylenol as needed. After about 7 month the pain went away.