The amount of information can make it hard to find the best calcium supplements for you, but with a little research and reading, we'll help you make the right choice.
As you probably know, calcium is vitally important for maintaining strong bones and teeth, and preventing future diseases like osteoporosis.
Not only is calcium your best ally in protecting you against terrible
bone conditions, research has shown that calcium can help lower blood
pressure, help you maintain a healthy weight, and possibly prevent
certain kinds of cancers.
While we're young, calcium
absorption is at its highest, peaking around 20 years old. Studies have
shown that teenagers and young adults with a high calcium intake have
less risk for developing bone problems later in life.
Once we hit our
30s, we begin losing calcium at a rapid rate and our bone density
decreases. Without proper calcium supplementation, the risk for
fractures, falls, and osteoporosis increases.
For most of us (assuming you're not a baby or a young child), we need about 1,000mg of calcium per day. Teenagers between the ages of 14-18 should be getting 1,300mg or more per day to increase their long-term storage of calcium.
Woman are at the greatest risk for developing bone problems later in life, which is why their daily recommended intake increases to 1,200mg after age 50.
Here's a chart to break it down for you:
Male |
Female |
Pregnant/Lactating | |
0-6 Months |
200mg |
200mg |
n/a |
7-12 Months |
260mg |
260mg |
n/a |
1-3 Years |
700mg |
700mg |
n/a |
4-8 Years |
1,000mg |
1,000mg |
n/a |
9-13 Years |
1,300mg |
1,300mg |
n/a |
14-18 Years |
1,300mg |
1,300mg |
1,300mg |
19-50 Years |
1,000mg |
1,000mg |
1,000mg |
51-70 Years |
1,000mg |
1,200mg |
n/a |
71 Years+ |
1,200mg |
1,200mg |
n/a |
If you haven’t started already, it’s not too late to begin building up your body’s calcium storage.
Dairy products are your best source of calcium, and most dairy milk alternatives, like almond and soy milk, have been fortified with calcium and Vitamin D.
Dark green leafy vegetables also pack an abundance of calcium.
Even with these food sources, it can be hard to get that much calcium from a normal, well-balanced diet, so let's take a look at some of the best calcium supplements on the market.
In your search for the best calcium supplements, you'll see two types: calcium carbonate and calcium citrate.
Calcium carbonate is more commonly available, is usually cheaper, and is best absorbed when taken with food; calcium citrate can be taken with or without food.
Calcium citrate
is also good for people with inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's
Disease. Calcium orotate in supplement form is relatively new, but
research has found that calcium orotate penetrates deep tissue, bone and
cartilage in order to promote bone health and strength. Calcium orotate
has also been found to increase endurance and stamina in athletes.
Before
diving into any bottle of pills, do a little research about who the
manufacturer is and their reputation. The supplement market is flooded
with potentially unsafe products and health claims that fall short.
For this reason, we recommend IntraCal – a completely revolutionary calcium supplement made of calcium orotate, which has the ability to penetrate the areas your body needs calcium the most.
IntraCal is completely toxin
free and several studies have shown that calcium orotate is far
superior than calcium citrate or carbonate at being absorbed by our
bodies.
Because calcium orotate is absorbed so easily by our bodies, IntraCal doesn’t require Vitamin D partnering.
Most nutritionists will tell you that the bulk of your vitamins and minerals should come from your diet, not supplements.
Garden of Life has created a Raw Calcium supplement. Made from algae harvested off the coast of South Africa, Raw Calcium delivers all of the calcium you need with superior absorption, but without nasty toxins and artificial ingredients.
Raw Calcium also combines Vitamin D, and raw food-based antioxidants and a fruit and vegetable blend to help your body get a day’s worth of nutrients.
For those of us on a budget, you can still get a great calcium supplement without sacrificing quality.
Rainbow Light, a well-known brand in the food-based supplement market, has created their own food-based calcium supplement.
Made from organic spirulina, horsetail, stinging nettle, betaine, and Vitamin D, Rainbow Light’s food-based calcium supplement is sure to please anyone on the hunt for the best calcium supplement available, but without breaking the bank.
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