- With Mayo Clinic endocrinologist
Todd B. Nippoldt, M.D.
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Todd B. Nippoldt, M.D.
Todd Nippoldt, M.D.
Dr. Todd Nippoldt is a board-certified specialist in internal medicine and endocrinology and metabolism. He has special expertise in the area of hormone disorders affecting the pituitary and adrenal glands as well as the testes and ovaries. He has been a member of the Mayo Clinic staff since 1988.
He's a consultant in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition and works with patients who have disorders of the hormone-producing glands. Common disorders include diabetes, thyroid problems, osteoporosis and elevated cholesterol levels.
He's also involved in andrology, the study of male hormonal disorders, male infertility and male sexual dysfunction, and is an assistant professor of medicine at College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Nippoldt, a St. Paul, Minn., native, has also contributed to "Mayo Clinic Health Letter," the "Mayo Clinic Family Health Book" and a Mayo Clinic CD-ROM. He's a fellow in the American College of Physicians and a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the American Society of Andrology, The Endocrine Society, The Pituitary Society and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.
"I have found that those patients who have gone to the Internet and obtained accurate medical information come to their appointment with me very well informed, and the discussions regarding the evaluation and management of their condition are very productive and satisfying," he says.
"The key, however, is obtaining accurate medical information. As a medical editor, I hope to be able to ensure that accurate, relevant and up-to-date information is available for patients and their families."
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Question
Calcium supplements: Do men need them too?
Should men take calcium supplements?
Answer
from Todd B. Nippoldt, M.D.
Some men may benefit from taking calcium supplements. Calcium is important for men of all ages for optimal bone health. If you don't get enough calcium from dairy products, dark green leafy vegetables or fortified foods, calcium supplements may help you meet your needs. Because calcium supplements can interfere with some prescription medications, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking them.
Here's the daily Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for healthy adult men, according to the Institute of Medicine (IOM). Note that the upper limit represents the safe boundary — it's not how much you should aim to get. Exceeding the upper limit increases your risk of health problems.
| Calcium: RDA for men | ||
|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | RDA (milligrams each day) | Upper limit (milligrams each day) |
| 19-50 | 1,000 | 2,500 |
| 51-70 | 1,000 | 2,000 |
| 71 and older | 1,200 | 2,000 |
Source: Institute of Medicine, 2010
Don't forget vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium. Some calcium supplements contain vitamin D. Food sources of vitamin D include egg yolks and fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna. You can also get vitamin D through fortified foods and even from sun exposure.
Here's the daily RDA for vitamin D for healthy adult men, according to the IOM.
| Vitamin D: RDA for men | ||
|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | RDA (international units each day) | Upper limit (international units each day) |
| 19-70 | 600 | 4,000 |
| 71 and older | 800 | 4,000 |
Source: Institute of Medicine, 2010
Remember, these guidelines are for healthy adult men in general. Talk to your doctor about your situation before taking any supplements.
Next questionFiber supplements: Are they safe to take every day?
- Straub D. Calcium supplementation in clinical practice: A review of forms, doses, and indications. Nutrition in Clinical Practice. 2007;22:286.
- Dietary Reference Intakes for calcium and vitamin D. Institute of Medicine. http://www.iom.edu/vitamind. Accessed Nov. 30, 2010.
- Calcium quick facts. Office of Dietary Supplements. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-QuickFacts/. Accessed Nov. 11, 2010.
- Duyff RL. American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide. 3rd ed. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons; 2006.
- Nippoldt TB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Rochester, Minn. Dec. 3, 2010.
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