Calcium Supplement Information
In general, a calcium supplement aids individuals who are unable to get enough calcium in their regular diet, or who have a need for more calcium due to a special health condition such as osteoporosis.
What is Calcium?
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and the number one nutrient in bones. The majority of calcium (99%) is stored in the bones and teeth keeping them strong and healthy. The other remaining 1% circulates in our blood where it performs a variety of important functions.
How can a Calcium Supplement Benefit You and/or Your Family?
The body needs calcium for normal growth and development. It builds strong bones and teeth and maintains healthy gums. If not enough calcium is consumed through diet, the body simply takes what it needs from your bones in order to carry out its vital functions. Eventually, these bone bank withdrawals with no deposits cause bones to become brittle or fragile, leading to a devastating health condition called osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that affects some 20 million Americans.
Calcium also has other numerous functions, which include the following:
Helps your muscles contract
Keeps your nerves lively
Keeps your heart beating regularly
Helps your nerve cells to communicate normally
Promotes blood clotting
Helps in the transport of nutrients across cell membranes
Does everyone need to take a calcium supplement?
Well, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), all age groups fall short on getting the calcium they need each day. For example, anyone over the age of 50 should consume 1,200 milligrams of calcium each day.
While some experts believe that people can increase their dietary sources to get enough calcium, others say it's very difficult due to modern day farming practices.
According to the 1992 Earth Summit Soil Mineral Depletion Analysis, the United States has the worst soil in the world – 85% mineral depleted. Minerals are naturally occurring elements found in earth. Minerals are also present in plants and animals, but they are imported. Plants get minerals from soil and animals get minerals by eating plants. This means that our foods have declined in nutritional value to help us to sustain optimum health. When you add processed foods, green to ripen fruits and vegetables, modern diets, and environmental toxins - supplements - not just a calcium supplement - has become very important for optimal health.
As such, we here at Nutritional-Supplement-Educational-Centre believe that most people should consider taking a calcium supplement. However, should you decide that you would be more inclined to increase your dietary calcium sources, some of the richest foods in calcium are: turnip greens, mustard greens, collard greens, kale, broccoli, canned salmon, sardines, almonds, dates, dried beans, lima beans, tofu, soy milk, cow milk, low fat milk, cheese, and yogurt.
Daily Recommended Allowance
Infants birth to 6 months: 210 mg
Infants 7 months to 1 year: 270 mg
Children 1 to 3 years: 500 mg
Children 4 to 8 years: 800 mg
Adolescents 9 to 18 years: 1,300 mg
19 to 50 years: 1,000 mg
51 years and older: 1,200 mg
Pregnant and breastfeeding females under 19 years: 1,300 mg
Pregnant and breastfeeding females 19 years and older: 1,000 mg
Calcium Supplement Precautions
Calcium may interfere with prescription medications, so check with a knowledgeable healthcare provider before consuming any calcium supplements. Persons who suffer from kidney stones or kidney disease should also consult a knowledgeable healthcare provider before taking supplemental calcium.
Excessive calcium intake can interfere with the body's ability to absorb many other essential minerals. In addition, excessive daily intake, over 2,500 mg. might lead to hypercalcemia, which can cause: disturbances in neuromuscular function, muscle weakness, dehydration, thirst, vomiting and constipation. Personally, we here at Nutritional-Supplement-Educational-Centre believe there is no reason to exceed 2 grams per day, with 1.5 grams probably being more sensible.
Calcium Absorption Info
Calcium is absorbed best by the body when it is taken several times a day in amounts of 500 mg or less, whether from food or supplements.
Most people are aware that vitamin D and magnesium is necessary for calcium absorption. However, there are other factors that enhance calcium absorption which include lactose, adequate stomach and intestinal acids, and certain amino acids, especially arginine and lysine.
In contrast, there are also many factors that interfere with calcium absorption such as a phosphorus imbalance (calcium should exist in a two-to-one relationship with phosphorus, meaning two parts calcium to one part phosphorus), high-fat intake, bran and dietary fiber, stress, aging, etc.
Tips on Choosing a Calcium Product
Indeed, this is a challenge! With so much out there how do you pick and choose? We here at Nutritional-Supplement- Education-Centre have done extensive research over the years on supplements so we do understand that it can get confusing and overwhelming. Therefore, we have listed below some key elements to look for when choosing a calcium supplement.
1. Calcium supplements come in several forms. These are carbonate, citrate, gluconate, malate etc. Many questions arise about the choice between calcium carbonate and calcium citrate when it comes to absorption. We believe that calcium citrate is a superior form for the following reasons:
Calcium citrate is easily absorbed regardless of the output of stomach acid. In contrast, calcium carbonate may not be adequately absorbed in individuals with insufficient output of stomach acid.
Calcium citrate is well absorbed on an empty stomach. In contrast, calcium carbonate must be taken with a meal to generate the excess stomach acid needed to increase absorption.
2. A calcium supplement that is produced from bonemeal, dolomite, or oyster shells should be avoided. These sources may be contaminated with high levels of lead and other impurities.
3. Purchase your supplements from companies that are pharmaceutical GMP compliant, which adhere to the most stringent manufacturing practices. This is crucial because dietary supplements are not regulated in the United States. As a consumer you have a 1 in 5 chance of buying a supplement that actually contains the amounts of ingredients that is stated on the product label.
4. Vitamins and minerals work synergistically with one another. For example, in order for calcium to function properly, calcium must be accompanied by several other nutrients including magnesium, phosphorous, and vitamins A, C, D, and K.
Therefore, in general, we recommend that your calcium supplement be part of a comprehensive synergistic formula rather than a stand alone product.
Exception: If your physician has recommended a stand-alone calcium supplement.
In addition, we recommend that you select a comprehensive synergistic formula from a highly credentialed formulator -- someone who is qualified to create a supplement with ingredients that work together synergistically in a perfect balance to offer the maximum results.
5. Take the time to understand the how and why of what makes some of these comprehensive multi-nutrient supplements useful - an important factor in making an informed choice.
Featured Comprehensive Product
After years of taking and researching supplements, we here at Nutritional-Supplement-Educational-Centre.com personally take an all-in-one highly sophisticated comprehensive multi-nutrient product called Total Balance from Xtend-Life Natural Products. It contains a full spectrum of over 70 specialized nutrients that the body needs for optimum health, including calcium citrate.
Total Balance is formulated by a highly credentialed scientific team that can blend these ingredients perfectly to ensure maximum benefits. In addition, Xtend-Life Natural Products meet all of the above requirements for high-quality supplements.
Click here to learn more about Total Balance.
The company has also formulated a superior product specifically for bone health called Bone-Support.
Click here to learn more about Bone-Support.
We believe these two are one of the best calcium supplement products you can buy.
We hope this webpage discussing calcium was useful to you.
To Your Health!
Much more than Calcium Supplement can be found at our Mineral Supplement web-page