Is Cvs Oyster Shell A Good Calcium Supplement?

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. It assists the heart to beat, regulates minerals, decreases nerve and muscle excitability, helps blood to clot and helps bone and teeth to form. According to "The Manual of Nutritional Therapies" a little bit of calcium goes a long way since all of these bodily functions are completed by slightly less than 1 percent of your body's calcium stores.

Oyster Shell Calcium

There are numerous forms of calcium; oyster shell calcium is one of them. The CVS pharmacy offers a large variety of oyster shell calcium supplements with the 500 mg supplement most commonly available.

USP Standard

USP is marked on the label of the CVS oyster shell calcium supplement. USP stands for United States Pharmacopeia and means that the supplement has met the standards for quality, purity, strength and dissolution from a respected independent agency.

Nutritional Value

Daily values are recommended levels of nutrients for a person eating 2,000 calories a day. The daily value recommended for calcium is 1,000 mg per day to prevent bone fractures, osteoporosis and help children reach their total height potential. The CVS 500 mg oyster shell calcium is made of calcium carbonate and various compounds or salts. When calcium carbonate is digested only part of the calcium is absorbed. This amount is called elemental. The percentage of elemental calcium in calcium carbonate available for bodies to absorb, is 40 percent or 200 mg. This is important to know to meet our daily calcium requirement.

Calcium Absorption

The calcium carbonate from oyster shell is not absorbed as well as other forms of calcium. Calcium absorption may be affected by age, medications, iron supplements and if taken with or without food. Some calcium supplements need an acidic environment, so should be taken on an empty stomach. The younger we are the higher the absorption rate per the National Institute of Health. Calcium should not be taken all at once, smaller quantities throughout the day enhance absorption. There have been concerns regarding lead present in oyster shell calcium supplements. Two studies completed at the University of Florida, Gainsville and at University of California, Santa Cruz confirmed that oyster shell calcium contains lead at a level that poses a public health concern. Supplement manufacturers are currently screening oyster shell calcium more diligently as a result of the study findings, but due to its poor absorption and lead concerns, oyster shell calcium is likely not your best choice.