Calcium Supplements

Calcium (Ca) is a major mineral essential for healthy bones and teeth. There are several minerals known to be essential to the human body and which must be obtained from food.

The major minerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, chloride and potassium) are needed in the greatest quantities or are present in large amounts in the body. The three main functions of minerals are: constituents of the skeleton; soluble salts which help control the composition of the body fluids; essential adjuncts to the action of many enzymes and other proteins.

What is Calcium?

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. Approximately 99% of total body calcium is in the skeleton and teeth and 1% in blood and soft tissues.

Calcium is involved in many biological functions:

• the main function of calcium is structural
• calcium prevents depletion of bone mass
• plays an important role in contraction of all muscles, including smooth muscles, skeletal muscles, and heart
• calcium ions are indispensable for DNA replication
• calcium is involved in trans-synaptic communication in the nervous system
• calcium works together with vitamin K and protein fibrinogen in the blood clotting process

Food Sources

You can get the amount of calcium required daily through a variety of foods.
Dairy products are the most significant source: milk, yogurt, cheese and buttermilk.
Some green, leafy vegetables are good sources of calcium: broccoli, collard greens, kale, mustard greens, turnip greens.
Canned salmon and sardines, shellfish, almonds, Brazil nuts and dried beans are also good dietary sources of calcium.

Calcium is absorbed in small intestines. Not all calcium we consume will be absorbed. The amount of calcium absorbed is dependent on a number of factors such as the acidic condition in our intestines, Vitamin D level, estrogen level and the type of calcium supplement.

Calcium Supplements

The Dietary Reference Intake DRI for calcium for adults is 1000 mg -1300 mg depending on age and gender. As one serving of dairy product provides ~ 300mg of calcium, those who do not consume enough calcium from food sources may need take calcium supplements. Taking calcium regularly, every day, is key to preventing calcium deficiency and to helping reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Calcium Citrate is the best absorbed supplemental form of calcium. It does not require the presence of extra stomach acid to dissolve. Calcium citrate can come in colloidal form. This is a liquid form of calcium that may be less irritating to the intestinal wall.

Calcium Carbonate is the most common type of calcium supplement on the market. It requires extra stomach acid for digestion, so should be taken with a meal.

Calcium supplements that are derived from oyster shells, dolomite, and bone meal may contain lead.

How much Calcium is too much?

To avoid toxicity it is recommended not to exceed 2,500 milligrams of calcium per day. High calcium intakes can lead to constipation, an increased risk for developing kidney stones, and may affect the absorption of iron and zinc from food.

Calcium Products from Botanic Chioce