Calcium is an essential mineral for healthy bones, for normal muscle and nerve function, and for maintaining a strong, well-coordinated heartbeat. People who do not get adequate levels of calcium from their diets need to take calcium supplements to avoid long-term complications such as osteoporosis. Calcium supplements come in two main forms: calcium citrate and calcium carbonate, often sold under the brand name Caltrate.
Adequate Levels
Most adults need about 1000 mg of calcium per day to maintain healthy levels in bones and blood. People younger than 18 and older than 50 need slightly higher daily levels. Calcium can come from the diet, in calcium-rich foods like milk and yogurt, vegetables like kale and broccoli and calcium-fortified grains or orange juice. For people who do not get adequate calcium from food, or those at risk for osteoporosis or low blood calcium, supplemental calcium tablets can help meet the body's needs.
Supplementation
Calcium supplements come in several different chemical compositions. Most often, supplements consist of calcium carbonate or calcium citrate. Other forms include calcium gluconate, calcium lactate and calcium phosphate.
Absorption
People taking Caltrate need to take it with food to help boost its absorption from the stomach into the bloodstream. In contrast, the formulation of calcium citrate makes it easily absorbed, whether taken with food or on an empty stomach. When taken with food, Caltrate or calcium carbonate is absorbed just as well as calcium citrate. However, the Office of Dietary Supplements says people with low levels of stomach acid absorb calcium citrate more readily than calcium carbonate.
Calcium and Antacids
Calcium carbonate is an ingredient in many common antacids, because it helps absorb stomach acid. For those who take antacids anyway, this can be a good way to supplement calcium as well; but people should not take it for more than two weeks unless a doctor has recommended it.
Convenience
In general, calcium carbonate is less expensive than calcium citrate, says the Office of Dietary Supplements. In addition, calcium carbonate is more readily available than other forms of calcium.
Calcium Content
According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, calcium citrate is 21 percent calcium by weight, while calcium carbonate is 40 percent calcium by weight. When taking a calcium supplement, the total amount of calcium by weight, not the weight of the pill itself, should be taken into account. The "serving size" on the bottle label indicates the amount of elemental calcium per the recommended dose, usually one or two pills.
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