The Health Diva

The role of calcium in bone health is indisputable. We’ve previously talked about food sources of calcium, however many individuals feel a daily supplement will insure an adequate daily intake of calcium.
We will spend some time discussing the different forms of calcium supplements.
When purchasing calcium supplements, ensure to look for the elemental calcium content, not the total content. For instance, a pill containing 500mg of Calcium Carbonate provides 200mg of elemental calcium. Hence one pill in this example only provides 200mg of calcium, not 500mg.
Calcium is absorbed in small intestines. Not all calcium we consume will be absorbed. The amount of calcium absorbed is dependent on a number of factors such as the acidic condition in our intestines, adequate vitamin D status, estrogen level and the type of calcium supplement.
One important factor affecting calcium absorption is how well the pill dissolves. The Health Diva chooses to stock calcium products that are guaranteed to dissolve easily in the stomach. Try buying calcium pills of US Pharmacopeia’s standards. The “USP” on the label indicates that the calcium pill meets the USP standards of supplying adequate elemental calcium and how well it dissolves in our intestines.


Calcium Citrate: Calcium is best absorbed in an acidic environment, hence calcium citrate is the best absorbed supplemental form of calcium. It does not require extra stomach acid for absorption; hence we may take it anytime in a day, even on an empty stomach. However Calcium Citrate usually provides less elemental calcium per pill, therefore one may need to take a relatively more numbers of pills per day depending to the needs. Cautions: people with acid reflux may not be able to tolerate calcium citrate


Calcium Carbonate: Most calcium pills in the market are in the form of calcium carbonate. It requires extra stomach acid for better absorption, hence it is best taken after meals. Poorly absorbed by individuals with low stomach acid.

Calcium malate: is source of bio-available calcium in which calcium is bound to the naturally occurring malic acid. Also known as fruit acid, malic acid is a naturally occurring organic acid in the plants and animals, including humans. The anion, malate, is a key intermediate in the major bio-chemical energy producing cycle called Krebs cycle, located in the cells’ mitochondria. The absorption potential of calcium is enhanced in calcium malate as compared to inorganic forms of calcium.

Dolomite, Bone Meal or Oyster Shell: These naturally occurring calcium pills may contain heavy metal or lead. At the moment, calcium supplements are not tested by any regulatory agency for lead content. Therefore, it’s best to avoid.


Calcium Gluconate: Contain low content of elemental calcium. Hence, one may need to take a large amount of tablets to meet the calcium requirement.

Coral Calcium: This type of calcium is marketed for more than bone health. It’s predominantly provides Calcium Carbonate.