Calcium: Choosing The Right Calcium Supplement For Your Needs

Getting enough calcium in your diet is crucial, especially for strong bones and healthy teeth. If you do not enjoy consuming milk and other dairy products, which are high in calcium, then consider calcium supplementation.

Below of the different forms of calcium that you can choose from when shopping for your supplements:

1. Calcium Citrate: This form of calcium is a bit expensive, but it is one that most doctors and nutritionists highly recommend. It is made up of 21% elemental calcium and dissolves very easily when ingested. Most people absorb the majority of calcium that comes in these tablets before it leaves the stomach. In addition, calcium citrate is an excellent supplement for older men and women because it dissolves easily and the elderly have less stomach acids to break down anything that is ingested.

2. Calcium Phosphate: Another name for calcium phosphate is "tribasic" calcium phosphate. It is made up of 39% elemental calcium and comes with extra phosphorus that you probably do not need.

3. Calcium Glubionate: Calcium glubionate is generally a rare choice of supplementation that doctors prescribe. It is made up of only 6.5% elemental calcium and you would need to take an extraordinary amount each day just to reach your bodily needs. In addition, it can be very expensive.

4. Calcium Lactate: This is a very common form of calcium that is found in the supplement isle in health food stores. Like most calcium supplements, it is a bit on the pricey side, but it does digest easily and is readily available. However, it is only made up of 13% elemental calcium.

5. Calcium Carbonate: This is by far the most inexpensive form of calcium supplementation that you will find. And in addition to being cheap, it also has 40% elemental calcium. However, there is one major drawback and that is how slow calcium carbonate digests in the body. Because of slow abortion it may not be absorbed to its fullest potential. You can find this form of calcium in a product such as "Tums" and similar generic types.

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