Brit asked
is TUMS a good source of calcium for bones? I have started taking 2 500 mg tablets before bedtime.
Answer
TUMS is an antacid that contains calcium carbonate as the active ingredient. The amount calcium that TUMS contains depends on the specific product (e.g. regular strength, extra strength etc...).
Calcium carbonate is 40% elemental calcium by weight, meaning that 100 mg of calcium carbonate will contain 40 mg of elemental calcium. Below, we list the amount of calcium carbonate and elemental calcium contained in various Tums products.
How Much Calcium Is In Tums?
- TUMS Regular Strength: Contains 500 mg calcium carbonate per tablet (200 mg of elemental calcium).
- TUMS Extra Strength: Contains 750 mg calcium carbonate per tablet (300 mg of elemental calcium).
- TUMS Ultra Strength: Contains 1,000 mg calcium carbonate per tablet (400 mg of elemental calcium).
- TUMS Chewy Delights: Contains 1,177 mg calcium carbonate per chew (470 mg of elemental calcium).
- TUMS Smoothies: Contains 750 mg calcium carbonate per tablet (300 mg of elemental calcium).
- TUMS Chewy Bites: Contains 750 mg calcium carbonate per tablet (300 mg of elemental calcium).
- TUMS Sugar Free: Contains 750 mg calcium carbonate per tablet (320 mg of elemental calcium). This products contains 'calcium stearate' as an inactive ingredient, which is why it contains 20 mg of elemental calcium more than other 750 mg Tums products.
- TUMS Chewy Bites with Gas Relief: Contains 750 mg calcium carbonate per tablet (300 mg of elemental calcium).
In addition to its use as an antacid, TUMS is often taken for supplemental calcium needs. Calcium carbonate dissolves best in an acidic environment and is therefore often recommended to be taken with food, or immediately following food.
