Calcium Supplements

Calcium is usually associated with strong bones, but did you know that calcium is also vital for regulating your heartbeat, conducting nerve impulses, stimulating the secretion of hormones and blood clotting?

Even when you are already fully grown you will still need calcium in order to survive, and EVERYDAY the body is losing this precious mineral through the skin, nails, hair, sweat urine and feces

The U.S. recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for calcium is 1,000 to 1,200 mg (milligrams). Aside from milk and other dairy products, calcium can be taken from soybean products, sardines, blackstrap molasses, spinach, Chinese cabbage and clams. Most Americans, however, do not get enough calcium from their diets, thus making calcium supplements necessary.

If you do not replace your lost calcium, your body will take this nutrient from your bones, thus making them weaker over time.

Calcium Supplements 101

Calcium can only exist as a compound, or if it is combined with other substances. In calcium supplements, the calcium can come in different compounds including: calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate or calcium citrate.

Since each of these compounds contain different amounts of calcium, it is important to read the label and carefully determine how much elemental calcium is actually in the supplement, and how many pills to take. Taking in high doses of calcium can cause side effects.

In choosing a calcium supplement, there are some things to consider, including:

* Purity

Choose only familiar brands of calcium supplements, and look for labels that have the purified or USP symbol (with USP standing for U.S. Pharmacopeia). Avoid supplements without the USP level because they might contain high levels of lead and/or other toxic metals.

* Absorbability

Most brand names in calcium supplements are easily absorbed by the body. If you’re not sure your calcium supplement is easily absorbable, place a small amount of the supplement in warm water for thirty minutes, stirring occasionally. If the supplement is not dissolved within 30 minutes, then it probably won’t be dissolved in your body. Your best bet for absorbability is the chewable or liquid calcium supplements. Calcium is best absorbed by the body when taken several times in a day in dosages 500 mg or less. The calcium in calcium carbonate is absorbed best with meals.

Vitamin D is necessary for absorbing calcium. Not surprisingly, many calcium supplements are prepared with Vitamin D.

Comments:

Since calcium supplements interact with other supplements, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist about taking calcium supplements. For example, you shouldn’t take calcium at the same time as iron, unless if the iron supplement is taken with Vitamin C.