Best Calcium Supplements

The best calcium supplements are those that contain the most elemental calcium. Elemental calcium is the amount of calcium in the supplement that is available for the body to absorb.

The amount of elemental calcium is listed on the nutritional label, typically in milligrams. This number is not typically the same number that is listed on the front of the bottle, though in some of the best calcium supplements it will be close. The closer it is the less fillers the supplement contains.

It is also important to know how much calcium is in a serving size and what serving size is recommended. This helps in determining the amount necessary for meeting individual health needs.

Not all calcium is absorbed by the body. The small intestines are responsible for absorbing calcium and the amount it absorbs depends on several different things, including how much acid is in the intestine, what the estrogen and Vitamin D levels in the body are and what type calcium supplement was used.

The best calcium supplements can belong to several different categories, each absorbed by the body in a different way.

Calcium absorption in the body is partially dependent on the dissolution of the pill. If the pill doesn’t dissolve easily then the body can’t absorb it easily. If the calcium supplement has USP on the label, it belongs in the category of best calcium supplements.

USP on the label signifies that the supplement meets the USP standards for dissolving in the body and that it has an adequate amount of elemental calcium.

Different Types of Calcium Supplements

There are several different types of calcium supplements, the most common being calcium citrate and calcium carbonate.

Calcium citrate is best absorbed by acidic conditions. This makes it one of the best forms of calcium supplements available because it doesn’t require extra acids to be supplied by the stomach, therefore, it can be taken on an empty stomach and still be effective.

On the other side, calcium citrate does not have a large amount of elemental calcium per pill and so more pills per day may be necessary to get the required amount of calcium. It is worth noting that people who suffer from acid reflux may not be able to take calcium citrate.

Calcium carbonate is the most common form of calcium supplement available. It is commonly found in antacids like Tums or Caltrate. Because it prefers an acidic environment, it is best taken after a meal so that the stomach has produced acids.

There are other ways to get supplemental calcium including bone meal, oyster shell and coral calcium supplements. These are also good for boosting the calcium levels in the body; however, calcium carbonate is the preferred supplement.

So, the best calcium supplements are those that are easily absorbed by the body and that have high levels of elemental calcium. Tums and Caltrate are both excellent choices for boosting calcium levels and can be taken daily.