Calcium Citrate

Which is a better source of calcium - calcium citrate or calcium carbonate? If one works better than the other, why don't manufacturers produce one kind of calcium supplements?

Calcium citrate is an expensive alternative to calcium carbonate. However, calcium citrate's bioavailability is 2.5 times greater than that of its cheaper counterpart. With bioavailability, we mean that it is easier for our body to absorb and make use.

Choosing the right calcium supplement is varied according to one's needs. There are people who are better off using calcium supplements containing calcium carbonate rather than those with calcium citrate. Such persons are those suffering from renal diseases. These individuals will be exposed to a greater toxicity risk when they take in calcium citrate supplements.

Calcium supplements consist of calcium as elements of compounds. The most popular calcium supplement choices are calcium citrate and calcium carbonate. There are other types that exist in the market such as calcium phosphate, calcium gluconate, calcium from dolomite, and calcium citrate malate.

Oyster shell is also another form of calcium carbonate but is found out to carry some toxins, specifically, lead. There are other calcium supplements available that are also said to contain lead. Thus, it is safer to choose the supplements that were not sourced out from bone meal, oyster shell, and dolomite.

True enough, calcium citrate is easier for the body to absorb; however, it does not really mean that we should all choose it over the other alternatives. Our choice of calcium source should depend on our needs. Calcium does not benefit the body when the required amount is ingested in one sitting. Regardless of the calcium form, it is better absorbed by the body when ingested in smaller amounts. If there is a need to take in more calcium supplements in one day, it is advisable to divide the dose into three amounts, taking them in about four hours interval from each other.

Most calcium carbonate contains greater amounts of elemental calcium than the calcium citrate. So it does not really follow that calcium citrate is a much better choice over calcium carbonate. Even if calcium citrate is more absorbable by the body, you only need to take in lesser dose of calcium carbonate pills to get the desired amount of elemental calcium.

Also, cost should not be the main issue in choosing calcium supplements. The best alternative is one that will work for you and not against you. Remember, whether you chose calcium citrate over the other options, it will only work to your advantage if you stay away from the known bone destroyers such as excess protein and sodium, caffeine, and nicotine. So, do the math and take it from there.