Safety Profile
Known Safety Concerns
- Poor absorption without stomach acid -- avoid with PPIs, use citrate instead
- Meta-analyses link supplement calcium (not food) to increased MI risk
- Kidney stone risk in calcium stone formers
- Constipation and bloating at high doses
Contraindications
- Poor absorption without stomach acid -- avoid with PPIs, use citrate instead
- Meta-analyses link supplement calcium (not food) to increased MI risk
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Calcium carbonate is the most common and cheapest form of calcium in supplements, providing 40% elemental calcium by weight. It requires stomach acid for dissolution and is poorly absorbed in people on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or with low stomach acid. High calcium intake from supplements (not food) is associated in meta-analyses with increased cardiovascular event risk. Kidney stone risk is elevated in predisposed individuals.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- Calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Mineral
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- Poor absorption without stomach acid -- avoid with PPIs, use citrate instead
- Meta-analyses link supplement calcium (not food) to increased MI risk
- Kidney stone risk in calcium stone formers
- Constipation and bloating at high doses
The available scientific evidence for Calcium Carbonate indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 13 აპრ 2026, 22:02
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWThe analysis and control of scale accumulation for mixed layer injection of water for the Shuanghe oil area in Yanchang Oilfield. ↗Qi C et al.. The analysis and control of scale accumulation for mixed layer injection of water for the Shuanghe oil area in Yanchang Oilfield.. Sci Rep. 2026. PMID:41957089.PMID 41957089 ↗Journal Sci RepYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41957089/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEPS-mediated mineralization drives granule densification and enhances denitratation-anammox coupling under alkaline conditions. ↗Cao S et al.. EPS-mediated mineralization drives granule densification and enhances denitratation-anammox coupling under alkaline conditions.. Water Res. 2026. PMID:41950684.PMID 41950684 ↗Journal Water ResYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41950684/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWCalcium sulphate-based soybean salting-out urease purification for enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation in road base stabilisation. ↗Lemboye K et al.. Calcium sulphate-based soybean salting-out urease purification for enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation in road base stabilisation.. Sci Rep. 2026. PMID:41927729.PMID 41927729 ↗Journal Sci RepYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41927729/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWMechanical performance optimization of CaCOu2083-modified fly ash-based hybrid geopolymer concrete using Taguchi methodology. ↗Shaik MA et al.. Mechanical performance optimization of CaCOu2083-modified fly ash-based hybrid geopolymer concrete using Taguchi methodology.. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2026. PMID:41913003.PMID 41913003 ↗Journal Environ Sci Pollut Res IntYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41913003/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWSelective magnetic extraction of calcium-based food additives using polystyrene sulfonate-functionalized starch magnetic particles. ↗Adra HJ et al.. Selective magnetic extraction of calcium-based food additives using polystyrene sulfonate-functionalized starch magnetic particles.. Food Chem. 2026. PMID:41880963.PMID 41880963 ↗Journal Food ChemYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41880963/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEngineering porous vaterite CaCOu2083 nanostructures via alcohol-surfactant coordination in co-precipitation: A facile route to tunable drug-carrier platforms. ↗Kim SY et al.. Engineering porous vaterite CaCOu2083 nanostructures via alcohol-surfactant coordination in co-precipitation: A facile route to tunable drug-carrier platforms.. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2026. PMID:41795322.PMID 41795322 ↗Journal Colloids Surf B BiointerfacesYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41795322/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWRecognition of counterfeit identity documents using FTIR spectroscopy and machine learning approaches. ↗Aparecida Buffoni de Campos Carneiro L. Recognition of counterfeit identity documents using FTIR spectroscopy and machine learning approaches.. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2026. PMID:41723927.PMID 41723927 ↗Journal Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol SpectroscYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41723927/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWBiohealing through biocalcification by urolytic bacteria Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 on marble surfaces. ↗Bicer TD et al.. Biohealing through biocalcification by urolytic bacteria Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 on marble surfaces.. World J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2026. PMID:41591659.PMID 41591659 ↗Journal World J Microbiol BiotechnolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41591659/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWThe relation between pulmonary functions and serum biomarkers of lung diseases among workers exposed to calcium carbonate. ↗Mourad BH et al.. The relation between pulmonary functions and serum biomarkers of lung diseases among workers exposed to calcium carbonate.. J Occup Environ Med. 2026. PMID:41501976.PMID 41501976 ↗Journal J Occup Environ MedYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41501976/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWInfluence of altitudinal zones on soil nutrient dynamics and fertility constraints in agricultural terrains of Yunnan, China. ↗Sun J et al.. Influence of altitudinal zones on soil nutrient dynamics and fertility constraints in agricultural terrains of Yunnan, China.. Sci Rep. 2025. PMID:41365942.PMID 41365942 ↗Journal Sci RepYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41365942/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Calcium Carbonate. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a moderate safety concern. Caution is advised, particularly at high doses or in sensitive populations.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Moderate classification for Calcium Carbonate
A score of 4.0 places this ingredient in the Moderate band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.