Hello, and welcome to Mayo Connect. As a person who currently has adequate bone density, but is at risk for osteoporosis due to age, health conditions and heredity, I have wondered about Algae Cal Plus and other algae based supplements.

Currently I am taking Calcium Citrate plus Vitamin D & magnesium on the recommendation of my primary & my ortho. So I looked to see if there is clear evidence one way or the other about Algae Cal (which is chemically calcium carbonate.)

I went on a search to see if there is any published independent research that indicates calcium from algae is in any way superior to other forms. Nope - all the studies were by sellers of algae based calcium products, none I found met the requirements of an independent unbiased study.

Then I started reading what is published by Mayo, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, etc. No recommendations about using algae-based products. Mostly to be sure to take it with Vitamin D & magnesium to make it effective.

Here is what National Women's Health has to say: https://nwhn.org/have-you-ever-heard-of-algaecal-im-being-deluged-with-ads-saying-any-nutrient-supplied-in-natural-form-such-as-from-plants-is-better-absorbed-than-nutrients-supplied-from-rocks/

So - after an hour (about) at looking at this, I don't see a conclusive reason to change to something that will cost me 10 times as much as my current supplement. Have you asked the doc who diagnosed you what they recommend?
Sue

There are also competitive "bone" supplements that have algae-derived calcium plus D3 and K2 and bone-supporting minerals that sell for less than the Algea-Cal if the calcium source is the selling point.

You all might want to check out OsteoDura which has Aquamin which is Calcium Carbonate from sea algae, and ofcourse Vitamin K2 and D as well as other great ingredients. This is what I take for my Osteoporosis.

I like the idea of algae-based calcium, hoping it comes from clean waters though. I kind of worry about animal-sourced calcium because I don't know how much hormones or pesticides or other drugs that livestock are frequently given end up in the calcium.

For those not taking vitamin K as part of a bone-support regime, there are studies behind the value of vitamin K2 in helping bones use the calcium and also helping prevent arterial calcium build-up. That's if my cardiologist is correct. I've been taking calcium for several years and have a very low calcium score and a recent echocardiogram result was good despite chronic highish cholesterol.

Consumer labs I s a good source of unbiased info. 50.00 a year membership