1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health
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Has anyone tried Red Algae for bone health

Posted by joycecates @joycecates, Nov 1, 2025

Algae cal is much too expensive

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

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joycecates | @joycecates | Nov 3, 2025
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@joycecates Have you used the search bar on Mayo Clinic Connect? It's very useful. You can..." + (show)
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@joycecates Have you used the search bar on Mayo Clinic Connect? It's very useful. You can find the search bar at the top of this page. There is a magnifying glass icon and the word "Search".

I typed "red algae" in the Search bar and found many Discussions where our members have shared about their experiences and thoughts about the use of red algae for bone health. I did not list those discussions here as they are numerous and I thought you might like to pick and choose what to read.

Are you taking a calcium supplement currently and deciding whether you'd like to switch over to red algae?

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@naturegirl5 I haven't taken a calcium supplement in years. There are cardiovascular risks and kidney stone risks with calcium supplements. Am now taking pureplanet Red Marine Algae Plus and D3 with K2 separate.

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joycecates | @joycecates | Nov 3, 2025
In reply to @singingbones "@nycmusic - yes, it's tricky--especially if you want to monitor your own personal needs/levels. I take..." + (show)
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@nycmusic - yes, it's tricky--especially if you want to monitor your own personal needs/levels. I take less D3 in the summer (perhaps every other day), more in the winter--depending on the blood lab results. My integrative dr prefers a higher reading for D3; the conventional drs like it in a bit more conservative range. It's certainly a challenge w/calcium, too. I want to be able to take it a couple times a day for absorption purposes. If it's combined w/D, then how does that work?

As you know, I gain a lot of info from Inspire.com forum too, in addition to my own research/reading. Their format is changing, so not sure I'm a fan of it--we'll see. However I have found favorites (like yourself), where I feel I can trust their research.

I have been taking Calcium Hydroxyapatite for bone health--at least for now!

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@singingbones Did not know about Calcium hydroxyapatite as a supplement. Learned something else new today! Thanks. What brand?

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njhornung | @normahorn | Nov 3, 2025

If what you are taking does not look like algae, the calcium was extracted from it by some means. I am guessing that would be by ashing which would produce calcium carbonate along with some trace minerals.

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singingbones | @singingbones | Nov 3, 2025
In reply to @joycecates "@singingbones Did not know about Calcium hydroxyapatite as a supplement. Learned something else new today! Thanks...." + (show)
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@singingbones Did not know about Calcium hydroxyapatite as a supplement. Learned something else new today! Thanks. What brand?

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@joycecates - I am taking the NOW brand. It includes phosphorus. The 500 mg (2-caps) allows me to stagger the time & amount of 250 throughout the day. I'm always doing supplement research, but at the moment this seems to be a good combo for bone health.

I do plan to use one of the recommended free apps to track calcium, (but haven't done so yet) as a better way to estimate how many calcium supplements are needed.

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joycecates | @joycecates | Nov 3, 2025
In reply to @singingbones "@joycecates - I am taking the NOW brand. It includes phosphorus. The 500 mg (2-caps) allows..." + (show)
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@joycecates - I am taking the NOW brand. It includes phosphorus. The 500 mg (2-caps) allows me to stagger the time & amount of 250 throughout the day. I'm always doing supplement research, but at the moment this seems to be a good combo for bone health.

I do plan to use one of the recommended free apps to track calcium, (but haven't done so yet) as a better way to estimate how many calcium supplements are needed.

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@singingbones That is the brand I was looking at. I do remember now that for a while a few years back I took Jarrow's Bone Up. It has calcium hydroxyapatite. I should have done research instead of stopping when I learned calcium can cause cardiac and kidney issues. They were not referring to that particular calcium and it would have been fine for me to continue to take that. I jumped the gun and didn't research so now I understand. I had been using hydroxyapatite in my toothpaste as I stopped fluoride a long time ago. Funny how when you don't take the time to think it through and research you can make quick and incorrect decisions. I have learned now not jump like that. Live and learn.

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akb2k26 | @akb2k26 | 2 days ago
In reply to @singingbones "@nycmusic - I have found a mineral complex w/the same bone minerals (except Cal, Mag, K,..." + (show)
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@nycmusic - I have found a mineral complex w/the same bone minerals (except Cal, Mag, K, D) as AlgaeCal, but not algae-based. AlgaeCal caused loose stools for me, which could have been the algae base or the magnesium or the calcium or??? I prefer to take my calcium, magnesium, k-2 & Vit D separately so that I can choose my own dose & type.

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@singingbones the purist in me agrees with your desire to individualize your supplement dosages. I have found stand alone calcium (citrate) is difficult to find but have managed to find one well-known brand. Will continue to use it pending next Dexa scan result. Unfortunately, algaecal is out of my financial reach.

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nycmusic | @nycmusic | 1 day ago

I am taking New Chapter bone supplement, all organic…comes in tiny tabs, so dosage can be controlled…i like the particular mix they have—so far, so good…

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joycecates | @joycecates | 1 day ago
In reply to @nycmusic "I am taking New Chapter bone supplement, all organic…comes in tiny tabs, so dosage can be..." + (show)
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I am taking New Chapter bone supplement, all organic…comes in tiny tabs, so dosage can be controlled…i like the particular mix they have—so far, so good…

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@nycmusic I am going to try it. Thanks for the info.

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maymore | @maymore | 1 day ago

AlgaeCal uses organic calcium sourced directly from a species of red marine algae called Mesophyllum superpositum.

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joycecates | @joycecates | 13 hours ago
In reply to @nycmusic "I am taking New Chapter bone supplement, all organic…comes in tiny tabs, so dosage can be..." + (show)
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I am taking New Chapter bone supplement, all organic…comes in tiny tabs, so dosage can be controlled…i like the particular mix they have—so far, so good…

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@nycmusic I ordered it. Hoping it helps. We really are going on faith or hoping for the best with anything unless we see an improved Dexa.

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