Calcium Supplements and
Coral Calcium Supplements
Why are calcium supplements so popular today?
Calcium is the number one mineral in the body. There is more of it than any other mineral. Most of the body's stored supply is found in the bones and teeth.
Calcium is known for its role in helping to support bone strength and the regulation of heartbeat.
Calcium supplements are one of the most well-known mineral supplements used for the support of women's health issues. Many women take it primarily for osteoporosis, pregnancy or high blood pressure concerns.
A calcium deficiency is thought to contribute to osteoporosis, cramps, irritability of nerves and muscles, and insomnia. Some women take calcium and magnesium supplements at bed time to help them sleep.
The combined words "osteo porosis" actually mean "porous bone." Osteoporosis is thought to affect over 20 million people in the US alone and is one of the top women's health issues.
It is estimated that one out of every four postmenopausal women has some bone loss and some degree of osteoporosis. Many women take calcium supplements every day for this reason.
Calcium citrate is a highly absorbable form of this mineral. If you like to drink orange juice, you can get extra Calcium Citrate by buying the orange juice that has this mineral supplement added at no extra cost.
This fortified orange juice has as much calcium as you get in a glass of milk. Orange juice is also a good food source of potassium and vitamin C.
Coral calcium was promoted heavily on television for some time. It was touted as some kind of miracle. The FDA stopped one company from making such claims. They said it was good stuff, but not a miracle cure.
We agree that coral calcium is a very good form of calcium. Just be sure not to pay too much, thinking it is some kind of magic elixer.
Our favorite form of calcium is chelated calcium citrate. It comes from food. Your body likes food. Calcium citrate is better absorbed than other kinds.
Our least favorite form is calcium carbonate from unrefined oyster shells or dolomite or bone meal. Some of the supplements made from dolomite and bone meal were found by the FDA to contain high levels of lead. If you take this kind of calcium, be sure it has been highly refined and tested for lead.
One study showed that women with low stomach acid (about 40 percent of the people studied) only absorbed 4 percent of calcium carbonate supplements, yet were able to absorb 45 percent of calcium citrate. Over ten times as much calcium citrate was absorbed compared to calcium carbonate. Yet it does not cost ten times more. So you are getting ten times more absorbable calcium for your money when you use calcium citrate.
And if you drink the fresh squeezed orange juice in the refrigerated carton that has been fortified with calcium citrate, you are getting a good amount of this calcium at no extra cost.
If your daily multi-vitamin and mineral complex contains Betaine HCL and other digestive enzymes and co-factors along with calcium, it will help in the absorption and bio-availability of the calcium.
Dietary sources of calcium include (in order of calcium content) cheddar cheese, kale, almonds, watercress, tofu, sunflower seeds, yogurt, milk, fortified orange juice, olives, broccoli, cottage cheese, romaine lettuce, raisins, etc.
