Depletes Calcium. This medication is commonly used for Inflammation
Corticosteroids can lower calcium levels in the body. This is a double threat to bone health because corticosteroids themselves can weaken bones. Calcium is essential for strong bones, and a study showed that supplementing with both calcium and vitamin D3 helped prevent bone loss in people with rheumatoid arthritis taking corticosteroids. Supplementation with calcium should be considered during long term corticosteroid therapy.
Homik J, Suarez-Almazor ME, Shea B, Cranney A, Wells G, Tugwell P. Calcium and vitamin D for corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000;1998(2):CD000952. Deng J, Silver Z, Huang E, Zheng E, Kavanagh K, Panicker J. The effect of calcium and vitamin D compounds on bone mineral density in patients undergoing glucocorticoid therapies: a network meta-analysis. Clin Rheumatol. 2021 Feb;40(2):725-734. Lems WF, Van Veen GJ, Gerrits MI, Jacobs JW, Houben HH, Van Rijn HJ, Bijlsma JW. Effect of low-dose prednisone (with calcium and calcitriol supplementation) on calcium and bone metabolism in healthy volunteers. Br J Rheumatol. 1998 Jan;37(1):27-33. Buckley LM, Leib ES, Cartularo KS, Vacek PM, Cooper SM. Calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation prevents bone loss in the spine secondary to low-dose corticosteroids in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 1996 Dec 15;125(12):961-8.
Calcium Citrate — 75 mg
Across the lifespan, chronically low calcium intake has been linked to higher blood pressure, in part because calcium plays a key role in vascular smooth‑muscle contraction, sodium handling, and endothelial function. Large epidemiologic studies and randomized trials suggest that individuals with higher dietary calcium intake tend to have modestly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures and may experience a small but meaningful reduction in risk of stroke and other cardiovascular events. The practical takeaway is that maintaining adequate daily calcium, alongside blood pressure control, exercise, and a heart‑healthy diet, may be an underutilized strategy to support vascular health and reduce long‑term cardiovascular risk.
Calcium Citrate by Solaray — 200mg