Calcium and vitamin D: Important at every age.Calcium citrate is absorbed equally well when taken with or without food and is a form recommended for individuals with low stomach acid (more common in people over 50 or taking acid blockers), inflammatory bowel disease or absorption disorders. All varieties of calcium supplements are better absorbed when taken in small doses (500 mg or less) at mealtimes. Your body must be able to absorb the calcium for it to be effective. If you have trouble swallowing pills, you may want a chewable or liquid calcium supplement.

Supplement formĬalcium supplements are available in a variety of forms, including tablets, capsules, chews, liquids and powders. Comparison shop if cost is a factor for you. Different types of calcium supplements have different costs. Supplements that bear the USP, CL or NSF abbreviation meet voluntary industry standards for quality, purity, potency, and tablet disintegration or dissolution. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP), (CL) or NSF International. Some companies have their products independently tested by U.S. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that supplements are safe and claims are truthful. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about possible interactions and which type of calcium supplement would work for you. Depending on your medications, you may need to take the supplement with your meals or between meals. What prescriptions you takeĬalcium supplements can interact with many different prescription medications, including blood pressure medications, synthetic thyroid hormones, bisphosphonates, antibiotics and calcium channel blockers. You may need to try a few different brands or types of calcium supplements to find one that you tolerate the best. In general, calcium carbonate is the most constipating. But side effects can sometimes occur, including gas, constipation and bloating. Calcium supplements cause few, if any, side effects.

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