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Best Calcium Supplement?
Which is the best type of calcium supplement? I've been taking calcium citrate (Citracal) which I understand is more easily absorbed than calcium carbonate (Caltrate). Most recently I've been hearing about calcium phosphate as an alternative. I like that it is available as a powder and may be less constipating than calcium citrate but it seems that is calcium phosphate is more for pets. Your thoughts?
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Hi Joy,
Please send me the research data and information on the "better useable calcium" you reference in your post on April 24, 2024. Thanks!
@sonodeka I was just reading your post from June 2024 re: Osteo Stim and Osteo Sustain. Wondering if you have stuck with them and still taking them? I started on Osteo Sustain about 2 months ago, 3/day. I just started Osteo Stim, just 1/day, want to add it in slowly and thinking I will only do 2/day. Also take Fortibone. Have you had any positive or negative experiences on these supplements?
Hi lamd. I finished up my supply of Osteo Sustain and Stim and did not reorder. Was I benefiting from them? I don't know. I went back to taking my supplements separately: Calcium, vit D, MK7, MK4, boron, magnesium glycinate, fish oil. I'm probably missing some of the good things in the Stim. I do use fortibone pretty faithfully. I also started HRT a year ago, and do a lot of exercising and eat well. My 2 year dexa is in November, so crossing my fingers I've held steady.
I'm sure his supplements are good and I hope you benefit from them!
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2 ReactionsI did the same - stopped taking the McCormick supplements because of cost. I take D3, K2, and calcium as needed. The other things in his supplements, we forget that those often come in our diet. It's not like a pill is the only source.
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2 Reactions@sonodeka @njx58
Hi, thanks very much for responding. I tend to switch up my supplements every so often. I will do McCormick supplements for a while, although it does get expensive. I like Thorne advanced bone support too, but K vitamins are separate. Osteostim has a lot in it, most of which I wouldn’t take otherwise. Hopefully there’s some benefit. Good luck on your upcoming Dexa scan. Hope it goes well. Thank you both.
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2 ReactionsI have been taking AlgaeCal but I would like an alternative—it’s expensive and I don’t know that it is any better than cheaper options. I looked at the Melaleuca above but I am leery of any company that won’t disclose it’s membership price without getting your personal data first and signing you up for a sales call. (just me—I am sure their products are fine).
@zhaner I suggest also researching Calcium Citrate as an alternative to the Calcium Carbonate that is in AlgaeCal and most other calcium supplements. Lots of foods are also fortified or enriched with the usual calcium carbonate, such as my favorite soy milk.
Cal-Citrate is more compatible with taking a PPI such as omeprazole aka brand-name Prilosec.
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1 ReactionI recently discovered Seen Calcium Chews, which are 100% food based. Each chew contains 500mg calcium, 400IU Vitamin D, plus small amounts of phosphorus and magnesium. The ingredients are organic dates, milk minerals, almonds, milk protein and organic Vitamin D2 mushroom powder. The recommended dose is 1 chew a day. I also take 1/2 dose of a pill form of calcium. I think they taste good.
They are available to purchase from their website: https://www.seennutrition.com/
They are kind of expensive. 30 chews cost $35.00 or $29.75 on auto delivery. 90 chews cost $105.00 or $89.25 on auto delivery.
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1 Reaction@kfhoz
great idea to always study what supplements we use. Ground up rock ( like Tums and most cal citrate) is not the source of calcium in Algae Cal; rather, marine and plant based calcium are sourced. I do not work for the company. I will continue to use Algae Cal Plus and Collagen ( not the Strontium boost) as it is nicely balanced with other necessary elements and well tolerated. Look at the references.
@daylemaples Yes, study the research is best! I am only speaking of the underlying chemical compound that the calcium is in, not the source. I do take a PPI, Omeprazole, and you can see below where AlgaeCal affirms that "... calcium citrate is particularly beneficial for people taking certain medications ..." . That's me! So I have to take calcium citrate.
There are 4 forms of calcium in AlgaeCal. I don't have time to look up the research, but AI claims "The primary chemical form of calcium in AlgaeCal is calcium carbonate. While AlgaeCal contains a blend of four distinct calcium compounds, independent analyses of the raw red algae species (Mesophyllum superpositum) show that 77% to 84% of its mineral content is in carbonate form. "
AlgaeCal site ref:
https://www.algaecal.com/calcium/types
Excerpts from AlgaeCal link:
"Plant-Based Calcium
Just as the name says, this is calcium from plants. You should know, there’s no such thing as “plant calcium.” The calcium salts found in plants are the same as the ones found in rocks, but there are reasons why plants are a preferable source of calcium."
"Calcium citrate has an acidic base, so it doesn’t require hydrochloric acid for absorption. This means calcium citrate is particularly beneficial for people taking certain medications that reduce stomach acid, or people that have had gastric bypass surgery. And because you don’t need stomach acid to consume calcium citrate, you can take it with or without food."
From an AlgaeCal conference paper (link corrected):
https://cdn.algaecal.com/wp-content/uploads/Calcium-Absorption-Test-Results.pdf
Excerpt: "... the calcium contained in AlgaeCal under carbonate calcium form ..."