Choosing a Calcium Supplement

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(from Web MD)

Choosing a Calcium SupplementYou will see different forms of calcium in supplements. Choose either chelated calcium or hydroxyapatite (#3 or #4 below). Here's why:

Naturally-derived calcium: may appear on labels as bone meal, oyster shell, limestone, or dolomite (clay). Avoid these supplements since naturally derived calcium may contain significant amounts of lead.

Calcium carbonate: the most commonly used form and the least expensive, but not nearly as well absorbed as chelated calcium. If taking calcium carbonate, take with meals when your stomach will be secreting hydrochloric acid to digest the food as it will also help you break down and absorb calcium carbonate.

Chelated calcium: will appear on the label as calcium-citrate, calcium-malate, calcium-gluconate or calcium-aspartate. In these chelated forms, the calcium is bound to an organic acid (citrate, malate, gluconate) or amino acid (aspartate), which improves its absorption. Chelated forms of calcium are more expensive than calcium carbonate, but build more bone for the buck, so are worth it.

Hydroxyapatite: sometimes appears as MCHC (microcrystalline hydroxyapaptite). The most expensive form of calcium, hydroxyapatite, is a complex crystalline compound that contains calcium linked with phosphorus in a pre-formed building block of the bone mineral matrix. MCHC contains hyrdoxyapatite plus bone-derived growth factors and all the trace minerals that comprise healthy bone. If you are at high risk of osteoporosis or have osteopenia, you should be taking MCHC.

Note from me: What I'm currently choosing to do is taking Calcium Citrate and Calcium Hydroxapatite. (but nobody says 'I' am doing it right and I haven't done labs this year ...yet)

If you are struggling to get your calcium levels up you may want to give the Hydroxapatite a try...it couldn't hurt.

Hugs

Jo