N u t r i t i o n   N e w s l e t t e r
"equipping you for better health choices"

Many people ask me, what is the best calcium supplement to take? There is no one answer for everyone. But knowing the differences in the calcium supplements, can equip you to get the most from your choice. These supplement choices can save you, from a simple calcium deficiency, bone loss, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prevention of colon cancer, and gum disease, just to mention a few. Simple explanation of these calcium supplements, will enhance your absorption, to provide optimal health.

Elemental Calcium
Calcium supplements contain pure or "elemental calcium," and "salts." Look for the one containing the most elemental calcium.

Classifications of Calcium Supplements

1. Calcium Citrate. Well absorbed, may reduce risk of kidney stones, too. 24% of concentration calcium.

2. Di-Calcium Phosphate. Advantage of calcium to phosphorus ratio. Less expensive form of elemental calcium.
28% concentration calcium. People with high intake of phosphorus, have less ability to absorb this type of calcium. May distort normal calcium  to phosphorus levels.

3. Calcium Lactate. Costly source of elemental calcium, but well absorbed. People with milk allergies should avoid this type. 15% of concentration calcium. 

4. Calcium Carbonate. My choice! Least expensive form of calcium, highest amount of elemental calcium. Variable levels of absorption. People with intestinal dysfunction, may experience slight gastric distress. But healthy digestive tracts will benefit from this type. 40% of concentration calcium.

5. Bone Meal. True bone meal is a rich source of elemental calcium. But may contain toxic levels of lead, arsenic, and cadmium. Buy organic only! 39% of concentration.

6. Microcrystalline Hydroxapatite. MH is extracted from whole bone. People with rhematoid arthritis, would benefit from this type. Has been proven to slow bone lost with this painful condition (Nilsen, K. H.,M. I. V. Jayson and A. S. J. Dixon 1978. Microcrystalline calcium hydroxyapatite compound in corticosteroid-treated rheumatoid  patients: A controlled study. Br Med J 2:1124). It is well absorbed with people who have poor digestion. But it cost more, and may contain toxic metals. Buy organic only. 25%of concentration calcium.

7. Coral Calcium. Some call it the "Mother of Calcium's." It contains a wealth of trace elements that are needed for optimal health. People with poor diets might want to take this one, because it truly is more of a holistic food supplement. Calcium/magensium is in a perfect 2 to 1 ratio. It costs the most of all other supplements. 24-42% of concentration calcium, ( Holt, Stephen, M. D., The Antiporosis Plan, pp.68-70). 

Optimal Uptake of Calcium

These are the most taken forms of calcium supplements. Make sure your calcium supplement also contains vitamin D, magnesium (a 2:1 ratio), and for people over 40, boron (a trace mineral that uptakes the absorption). 

Toxicity

Calcium has no know toxic side effects. There is a sight chance with very high dosages of intake of constipation and intestinal gas. And about kidney stones, this is an interesting fact: a daily intake of 1300 mg of calcium compared with 500 mg may reduce the risk of developing kidney stones, by binding oxalic acid in the small intestines. Oxalic is found in kidney stones. A high fiber diet in plants also, makes kidney stones unable to form.  A proven high level of calcium intake is between 1,000 to 2000 mg, depending on your lifestyle of course, is safe Wardlaw, M. Gordon. Ph. D., R. D. L. D. and Insel M. Paul, Ph. D, Perspectives in Nutrition, p. 518). In the case of hypercalcemia,is caused by a vitamin D overdose, a high intake of calcium does not cause hypercalcemia (Lieberman Shari, Ph D, The Real Vitamin and Mineral Book, p. 140).