What Does Tricalcium Phosphate Do to Your Body?

Tricalcium phosphate is a mineral that is a fantastic source of calcium. Calcium is necessary for bone formation and the function of nerves, muscles, blood vessels, and enzymes.

Tricalcium phosphate is a naturally occurring compound that’s also used as a dietary supplement. It’s a fantastic source of calcium for your body. 

Still, you should be cautious when it comes to products that contain tricalcium phosphate. Too little calcium or too much calcium can lead to health problems, so you should always follow your doctor’s recommendations when taking tricalcium phosphate in any form. 

Tricalcium phosphate (or, tribasic calcium phosphate) is a mineral that naturally occurs in certain rock formations. It’s a fantastic source of calcium, which is a necessary nutrient in your diet. It’s also a source of phosphorus. 

Unfortunately, naturally occurring sources of tricalcium phosphate tend to be contaminated with other molecules that are harmful to your body, including: 

• Uranium
• Lead
• Fluorine 

Because of this, food-grade tricalcium phosphate is manufactured instead of mined. When it is made this way, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) places it in their GRAS category, which stands for “generally recognized as safe”. 

Tricalcium phosphate is sometimes sold as an independent dietary supplement. In this case, doctors will prescribe it to treat low blood calcium levels. It’s also used as a food additive for extra calcium and has growing applications in the field of surgical bone repair.  

You need calcium at every stage of your life in order to maintain a healthy body. Your body uses calcium to perform many different functions, including: 

• Bone formation
• Muscle movements
• Blood vessel dilations and constrictions
• Proper nerve function
• Important enzyme function

When the amount of available calcium in your body is too low for a long period of time, that’s considered a chronic calcium deficiency. A number of highly problematic states and conditions can develop as a result. These include bone-related problems like: 

• Decreased bone growth 
• Decreased bone repair
• Rickets
• Osteomalacia
• Osteoporosis

Tricalcium phosphate supplements are prescribed to help with a number of medical conditions, typically those that lead to low levels of calcium in your bloodstream. They include: 

• Parathyroid disorders
• Osteoporosis
• Kidney problems, including end-stage kidney disease
• Tetany

A number of dietary choices could lead to low levels of calcium in your body, and your doctor may want to prescribe a different kind of supplement instead of tricalcium phosphate in certain situations. You should talk to your doctor to see what source of calcium is best for you if you:  

• Are a vegan
• Regularly consume a lot of alcohol
• Regularly consume a lot of caffeine
• Have a milk allergy
• Have an eating disorder like anorexia nervosa

Tricalcium phosphate should only be taken with food. Only take one dose at a time. You may need more than one dose throughout the day. If so, you should evenly space out your doses. 

If you miss taking a dose at the usual time, try to make it up as soon as possible unless you’re already close to the time of your next dose. Then, you can skip the missed one. Never double up your doses, or you could risk suffering an overdose. 

There’s also a chance that you’ll need to make dietary changes when you start regularly using this supplement. Your doctor will recommend changes that are specific to you. You have to make sure to follow them, or you’ll risk experiencing negative side effects from these supplements. 

You may need to start taking a vitamin D supplement at the same time as your tricalcium phosphate supplement. The way that your body absorbs calcium is highly dependent on the presence of vitamin D. Your doctor will know whether or not this is necessary for your particular situation. 

When you’re not using them, store your supplements out of reach of children. Additionally, they’ll last longer if they’re kept at room temperature away from hot or moist conditions. 

You shouldn’t take calcium phosphate if you have certain health conditions. Also, always talk to your doctor before starting tricalcium phosphate supplements because they can interfere with the activity of other supplements, medications, or natural remedies. 

You shouldn’t take tricalcium phosphate if you’re also taking: 

• Antacids (unless your doctor recommends a particular brand to go with your tricalcium phosphate)
• Antibiotics
• Other sources of supplemental calcium

You will need to talk to your doctor before using tricalcium phosphate supplements if you’ve ever experienced any of the following medical conditions: 

• High levels of blood calcium
• Kidney disease, including kidney stones
• Malabsorptive conditions: i.e, problems absorbing nutrients normally within your digestive system
• Sarcoidosis, a lung disorder
• Pancreas disorders

Also, talk to your doctor before giving these supplements to children or if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding — the dose may not be right for these situations. 

Too much calcium in your blood can lead to problematic symptoms, a condition referred to as hypercalcemia. It is very difficult to develop hypercalcemia from diet alone, so it’s most often a side effect of taking too many supplements. 

Symptoms include: 

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Weakness and fatigue
• Headaches
• Mood swings

Too much calcium can also lead to certain medical conditions, including: 

• Kidney stones
• Calcium deposits in your muscles. These can be painful and make your muscles stiff.
• Calcium deposits on your heart valves. These can damage your heart and end in death.

Never take more than two grams of calcium a day. Most people need a lot less. Your doctor or nutritionist can recommend the daily intake that’s best for your body and lifestyle. 

You should contact your doctor, emergency medical services, or poison control — at 1-800-222-1222 — if you believe that you’re experiencing an overdose from tricalcium phosphate supplements. 

Tricalcium phosphate is considered a safe, organic food additive. It’s commonly used to add calcium to foods that would otherwise have very low levels or none at all. This includes: 

• Soy milk
• Almond milk
• Fortified organic orange juice
• Yogurt
• Non-dairy foods that resemble yogurt
• Vanilla powders in cereal products

On top of this, tricalcium phosphate is such a versatile substance that researchers are even trying to use versions of it in bone repair. Current studies and clinical trials are attempting to evaluate how effective this chemical is when used in place of traditional grafts. 

Early data indicates that it could be an effective way to repair large sections of bone loss. These gaps can be caused by problems like: 

• Trauma
• Bone tumors
• Bone cysts

Overall, tricalcium phosphate is a versatile chemical that’s relatively safe for the human body — as long as you use it exactly as your doctor recommends. Never hesitate to talk to your doctor or another medical professional if you have any questions about tricalcium phosphate supplements or are concerned about the amount of calcium in your body.