Maximize your calcium absorption
Dr. W. Steven Pray from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford has published a good review of calcium supplements for osteoporosis.
From that article, here are recommendations to ensure you’ll get all the calcium you bargained for.
How much calcium is in that tablet?
- Calcium carbonate is the most common form of the element in commercially available supplements.
- Examples include Caltrate, OsCal, Tums, Viacti.
- Calcium carbonate contains 40% elemental calcium (the actual amount of calcium in the supplement).
- Each 1,250 mg of calcium carbonate salt contains 500 mg of elemental calcium
- An alternative is calcium citrate.
- Citracal, which is 21% calcium.
Coral calcium
- It’s promoted with “outlandish claims” for treatment and prevention of cancer, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and heart disease, on the basis of a purported increased bioavailability.
- In 2003, the FDA and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charged marketers of Coral Calcium Supreme and others with making false and unsubstantiated claims.
- But the misinformation still abounds.
- The assertion that “cancer is caused by a lack of free oxygen in the body, a ‘fact’ unknown to the real medical profession” is false.
Vitamin D
- Essential for absorbing calcium from the gastrointestinal tract and ensuring bone health.
- Most calcium supplements also include vitamin D.
- Be careful not to take too much vitamin D.
The bottom line?
The review includes a table with the recommended calcium intake for everyone from infants to seniors, including pregnancy.
9/24/08 18:08 JR