calcium
Calcium Carbonate
Calcium Carbonate is the most common and least expensive calcium supplement. Sourced from seashells, shellfish, eggshells, pearls, rocks (like limestone) and even snails. Antacids frequently contain calcium carbonate. It contains a high percentage of elemental calcium but is not absorbed well by the body.
Elemental Percentage
40%
Bioavailability
15%
Our key metric
Price Per Absorbed Gram
This allows you to see what the true cost is for each gram of calcium that your body actually uses.
Featured Products
Finding calcium supplements with high bioavailability and elemental percentage lowers the size and number of pills needed to meet the recommended daily allowance (RDA). When we consider what your body absorbs some of the more inexpensive supplements may not be the bargain they appear to be. While other supplements with higher prices may be absorbed much better allowing you take fewer (or smaller) pills.
Additionally, reviewing the possible side effects that may be heightened in one compound over another. Click on any of the compounds below to see the top-rated supplements within each compound.
calcium carbonate facts
- The chemical formula for calcium carbonate is CaCO3
- Is often used as an antacid
- Can be artificially made by dissolving calcium oxide in water
- Calcium carbonate can also be used in industrial processes such as water treatment, where it is used to adjust pH levels and remove impurities
- Calcium carbonate can be used as a dietary supplement for pets as well, particularly for birds, to help maintain strong bones and healthy feathers
- In the construction industry, calcium carbonate is used to make cement
Sources
- limestone
- shells of marine organisms
- snails
- eggshells
Health Benefits
- development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth
- helps in the proper functioning of the heart, muscles, and nerves
- necessary for the blood clotting process
- studies have shown that a diet rich in calcium may be associated with lower body weight and a reduced risk of obesity
- calcium intake can help to prevent osteoporosis
Reactions with other Vitamins
- Vitamin D helps absorption
- Magnesium works with calcium – you need both
- Calcium can interfere with the absorption of iron and Zinc – take calcium and zinc or iron supplements at different times of the day
- may interact with blood pressure medications and blood thinners. It’s best to consult with a doctor before taking these medications and calcium supplements together.
Recommended Dietary Allowance
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is “the amount of an essential nutrient, as a vitamin or mineral, that has been established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences as adequate to meet the average daily nutritional needs of most healthy persons according to age group and sex.” –- dictionary.com
We used the RDA for calcium from the National Institutes of Health – Office of Dietary Supplements listed below.
|
Age |
Male Daily |
|
0-6 months |
200 mg |
|
7-12 months |
260 mg |
|
1-3 years |
700 mg |
|
4-8 years |
1000 mg |
|
9-18 years |
1300 mg |
|
19-50 years |
1000 mg |
|
51-70 years |
1000 mg |
|
71+ years |
1200 mg |
|
Age |
Female Daily |
|
0-6 months |
200 mg |
|
7-12 months |
260 mg |
|
1-3 years |
700 mg |
|
4-8 years |
1000 mg |
|
9-18 years |
1300 mg |
|
19-50 years |
1000 mg |
|
51+ years |
1200 mg |
| Life Stage | Age | RDA |
| Pregnancy | 13-19 years | 1300 mg |
| Pregnancy | 20+ years | 1000 mg |
| Breast-Feeding | 13-19 years | 1300 mg |
| Breast-Feeding | 20+ years | 1000 mg |