According to the authors, the obvious preventive strategy against the calcium-alkali syndrome is to limit the intake of calcium to no more than 1.2 to 1.5 grams per day. "Calcium supplements taken in the recommended amounts are not only safe but are quite beneficial. Taken to excess is the problem," said Dr. Goldfarb. "Even at the recommended dose, careful monitoring of any medication is wise and yearly determinations of blood calcium levels for those patients taking calcium supplements or vitamin D is a wise approach," he added.

The authors reported no financial disclosures.

The commentary, entitled "Got Calcium? Welcome to the Calcium-Alkali Syndrome," (doi 10.1681/ASN.2010030255) is available online at jasn.asnjournals. A detailed article on this commentary will also be included within the June issue of ASN Kidney News.

Source: American Society of Nephrology