ABSTRACT
Most children who receive a calcium supplement will either get a relatively small supplement pill, usually no more than 500 mg per day, or will receive their daily supplemental calcium, not uncommonly about 200 to 250 mg, as part of a once daily multivitamin, multimineral supplement. It is best to give supplements with a meal, and it is often easiest to remember to give vitamins and supplements with breakfast. However, the effect of timing is generally not that crucial for most children. Supplements containing 200 to 250 mg calcium taken once or twice daily are not big enough to substantially decrease calcium absorption by overwhelming the calcium absorptive mechanisms of the body. They will not have a substantial long-term effect on the absorption of other key nutrients either.
