Calcium carbonate: highest calcium content (40%), insoluble in water, can be dissolved in stomach acid, high absorption rate, many dosage forms, the most widely used calcium supplements; cheap and suitable for most people.
Side effects: nausea, eructation, habitual constipation.
If proton pump inhibitors (e.g. omeprazole, pantoprazole, etc.) or H2 receptor inhibitors (e.g. ranitidine, famotidine, etc.) are being taken for gastric diseases, which inhibit gastric acid, the absorption of calcium carbonate will be greatly reduced.
Calcium acetate: medium calcium content (25%). Good solubility, good absorption. And it is a phosphorus binding agent, which combines with phosphate in food in the digestive tract to form calcium phosphate that is not easily absorbed, reducing the absorption of phosphorus suitable for patients with chronic kidney disease hyperphosphatemia.
Calcium citrate: moderate calcium content (21%), but better water solubility, low gastrointestinal adverse effects, may reduce the occurrence of kidney stones, suitable for patients with gastric acid deficiency and risk of kidney stones.
Calcium gluconate: low calcium content (9%), commercially available as a liquid oral solution, generally taken in larger quantities but with better taste.
Phytic acid, oxalic acid, tannic acid, eating a lot of fiber-rich food, drinking a lot of alcoholic and caffeine-containing beverages, and smoking a lot will inhibit the absorption of calcium and should be avoided when taking calcium supplements; calcium should not be taken together with iron, otherwise iron cannot be absorbed.
Vitamin D: The absorption of calcium depends on vitamin D. Since vitamin D deficiency is common in China, it is recommended to check blood for vitamin D deficiency when taking calcium supplements. Serum 25(OH)D concentration below 20ng/ml is considered deficiency, 20~30ng/ml is considered deficiency, and above 30ng/ml is considered normal. For deficiency, vitamin D should be supplemented to ensure the absorption of calcium.
Protein: Protein can promote calcium absorption, therefore, it is better to have protein intake when supplementing calcium.
After calcium supplementation, regular testing of blood and urine calcium concentrations is recommended for timely adjustment of medication doses.
It is generally believed that calcium supplements are best taken one hour after meals. Taking calcium supplements after dinner is the best time for the human body to take calcium supplements, because according to the characteristics of hormone secretion, the human body has the lowest blood calcium from late evening to early morning, when calcium supplements are best absorbed and utilized.
We offer Calcium Acetate Powder Granular, Calcium Carbonate Food Grade FCC E170 and Calcium Gluconate USP Injection Grade. Please contact us if you need them!
