calcium
Calcium Gluconate
Calcium Gluconate is water soluble but has a very low percentage of actual calcium (meaning you will need to take more pills or have the pill be larger). The bioavailability hasn’t been researched as much as many other compounds – it is estimated to be between 20% and 35%
Elemental Percentage
9%
Bioavailability
20%
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 gluconate facts
- The chemical formula for calcium gluconate is Ca(C6H11O7)2
- Calcium gluconate is less likely to cause constipation than some other forms of calcium, such as calcium carbonate. The gluconic acid component has a natural laxative effect, which helps to prevent constipation.
- Used as a food additive, often as a source of calcium, an emulsifying agent, or a firming agent.
- Calcium gluconate is also used as an intravenous treatment for calcium deficiencies, for example for patients suffering from hypocalcemia or for cardiac arrest patients.
Sources
- made by combining calcium carbonate with gluconic acid. Gluconic acid is a naturally occurring sugar acid that is produced by the fermentation of glucose.
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 |