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The best calcium supplements for bones, teeth, and muscle health provide easy-to-absorb calcium at affordable prices. This article discusses calcium requirements, absorption, and the best options to try.
Calcium is an essential nutrient for strong, healthy bones and teeth. Although a person may be able to get the calcium they need from their diet, some people need extra support from a calcium supplement.
Factors such as age, diet, and underlying medical conditions can affect how much calcium a person’s body absorbs.
This article examines the best calcium supplements and discusses who may need them, how to choose, and when to contact a doctor.
Medical News Today chooses calcium supplements that meet the following criteria:
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Care/of offers personalized vitamin and mineral recommendations, which customers can subscribe to or purchase as and when they need. The company tests products three times during manufacturing, including third-party testing before it sells the product.
Read our review of Care/of.
The calcium in Care/of Calcium Plus supplements comes from sustainably derived Icelandic red algae, making it suitable for vegans and those who are lactose intolerant.
Learn about the most important supplements for vegans.
Care/of claims that algae naturally contains magnesium and other trace minerals.
According to a 2017 review, there is evidence to suggest that taking vitamin K and D together is more effective than taking vitamin D alone. Additionally, vitamin D helps the body absorb more calcium.
The manufacturer recommends taking these supplements separately from iron supplements, which may affect absorption.
This product is free from:
These supplements have 1,100 mg of calcium per serving, a higher dosage than many similar supplements. It also contains 40 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin D.
This supplement uses algae-derived calcium and a raw probiotic and enzyme blend, which Garden of Life claims may aid digestion. The company uses third-party testing.
These capsules are suitable for vegans and free from synthetic binders or fillers, artificial flavors, sweeteners, additives, gluten, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Garden of Life recommends taking 2 capsules with breakfast and 2 with lunch. It also states that people can open the capsules and pour the contents into water or juice.
Persona provides personalized vitamins and minerals via subscription. Customers take a short online assessment to discuss their lifestyle, diet, and other factors. A doctor-designed algorithm then creates a personal supplement plan with vitamin recommendations.
Read our review of Persona.
A 2020 study notes that the European Guideline suggests a person gets 1,200–1,500 mg of calcium from diet or supplements after bariatric surgery to minimize the risk of kidney stones.
According to the manufacturer, calcium citrate may also suit those with low stomach acid to maintain healthy bones and fill nutrition gaps.
This supplement is suitable for vegans and free from the following allergens:
Persona tests its products itself, meaning this product is not third-party tested.
HUM states it manufactures supplements using carefully sourced and tested ingredients to ensure potency and effectiveness. The company also claims it uses clinically tested actives and employs triple testing — including third-party testing — during manufacturing.
HUM Got Calcium supplements are vegan and free from artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives. They do not contain:
These tablets may suit people looking for a low dose calcium supplement or a calcium and magnesium multimineral supplement. This may be useful for people who take in most of their calcium through their diet.
They contain 150 mg of calcium and 75 mg of magnesium to help support muscle function.
Learn about the best magnesium supplements.
Other ingredients include 60 mg of a mineral herb blend containing organic nettle leaf, organic dandelion root, and organic parsley leaf .
These tablets may be taken anytime throughout the day, though Megafood recommends taking 2–3 hours before or after any other multivitamins.
Customers can choose between 30 or 45-day supplies, with 60 or 90 tablets, respectively. One-time purchases are available alongside subscription options that offer 15% off.
Gummy supplements may suit people who find swallowing tablets or capsules difficult.
These gummies have cherry, orange, and strawberry flavors and are gluten-free. However, they are not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.
These gummies are also free from synthetic dyes, artificial flavors, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners.
Nature Made recommends consuming 2 gummies daily. As with all supplements, people should keep them out of reach of children.
This product contains pure calcium carbonate powder. As this calcium supplement comes in powder form, a person can customize the dosage according to their needs.
The manufacturers recommend mixing the powder into pulpy juices, such as orange or tomato juice, and taking it with a meal.
Half a level teaspoon provides 600 mg of calcium. Each bottle contains around 200 servings.
This product is suitable for Kosher and vegan diets. It is free from:
A calcium citrate version is also available on Amazon.
Renzo’s describes these children’s supplements as “melty” tablets. They dissolve in the mouth, meaning children do not have to swallow tablets, use liquid supplements, or chew gummies. People can also dissolve these tablets in water, juice, or smoothies.
Children ages 2–3 years should take 1 tablet daily, while children ages 4 and over require 2.
They do not contain sugar or gluten, and the fruit flavors are natural. The gummies are NSF-certified and go through third-party testing.
The tablets are vegan and free from:
However, Renzo’s does not state which allergens these are.
The table below compares the calcium supplements in this article on their key features.
The best calcium supplement will depend on the person’s unique circumstances. The type and quantity of calcium a person needs will vary depending on:
A doctor can advise on the best way for someone to get more calcium based on these factors.
When looking for a product, it is important to consider the following factors.
It is important to choose a supplement containing the right amount of calcium for a person’s age. The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) suggests that people get the following amounts of calcium in their diet each day:
People below the age of 18 years who are pregnant or nursing need 1,300 mg of calcium per day.
In addition to finding a product with the right dosage, it is also a good idea to consider which form of calcium will be most suitable.
There are two main forms of calcium in supplements: calcium carbonate and calcium citrate.
However, calcium carbonate relies on stomach acid for absorption, so people should take it with food. Some people may also find that calcium carbonate causes side effects, such as gas and bloating.
Calcium citrate does not depend on stomach acid for absorption. As a result, it can be more suitable for people with:
However, calcium citrate is more expensive than calcium carbonate, and it contains less calcium overall. This means that a person may need to take it more frequently.
Learn about the best vitamin brands.
For more in-depth resources about vitamins, minerals, and supplements, visit our dedicated hub.
Many people can get enough calcium from a balanced diet.
However, the ODS notes that certain groups may be more at risk of calcium deficiency, including:
If a person is concerned about a calcium deficiency, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional. They can perform certain tests and analyze the person’s overall health and diet to confirm whether or not a calcium supplement is necessary.
Learn more about calcium deficiency.
The Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF) states that the body absorbs calcium best when people take 500–600 mg or less at a time through food or a supplement.
People can aim to consume calcium-rich foods in small amounts throughout the day or take a calcium supplement with a meal.
People may also ensure they take optimal vitamin D through their diet or a supplement, as it is essential for calcium absorption.
Calcium supplements may cause adverse effects such as bloating, gas, or constipation for some people. Taking too much calcium may also lead to:
According to the ODS, some evidence suggests that high calcium intake may contribute to prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease. However, studies looking at these risks have had mixed results.
Calcium supplements can interact with other medications, such as:
People taking any medications or with underlying conditions should talk with a healthcare professional before trying a calcium supplement.
A person may be able to get enough calcium from food alone. Dairy products such as yogurt, milk, and cheese contain the highest calcium levels.
Some dairy- and lactose-free sources of calcium include:
Some substances can also reduce the amount of calcium the body absorbs. These include:
If a person’s body has difficulty absorbing calcium, they may benefit from reducing their intake of foods and beverages that contain these substances.
Learn about other dairy-free sources of calcium.
People who suspect they have a calcium deficiency should speak with a healthcare professional. They can determine if this is the case and, if so, recommend some ways to get more calcium.
If a person experiences new or worsening symptoms while taking calcium, they should stop taking the supplement and seek medical advice.
Below, we answer common questions about calcium supplements.
Calcium carbonate typically contains more calcium than calcium citrate, so it may provide a bigger boost to a person’s calcium levels than calcium citrate. However, calcium citrate is better for people with certain health conditions, such as IBD or malabsorption, as it does not rely on stomach acid for absorption.
People should speak with a doctor to discuss which type would be best for them.
Calcium citrate is easier for the body to absorb because it does not rely on stomach acid as calcium carbonate does.
Getting calcium from food is the best way to get optimal calcium each day, but older research suggests that calcium citrate with vitamin D is best for osteoporosis.
Both products typically provide 600 mg of calcium, meaning the main difference between them is the source of calcium.
Caltrate contains calcium carbonate, and Citracal contains calcium citrate. A person must take 2 Citracal tablets to get the same dose as Caltrate. This is because calcium carbonate provides more calcium than calcium citrate, making Caltrate more cost-effective.
However, some people may find Citracal easier to absorb. Buyers can discuss their choice with a doctor.
Calcium is an essential nutrient for bone health. Some people may not be able to get enough calcium from their diet, in which case they may benefit from taking a supplement.
A healthcare professional can help someone choose the form and dosage they need. They can also advise on any other nutrients that might help with absorption.
Last medically reviewed on October 31, 2023
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