The Importance Of Calcium Carbonate Supplements
General Info May 19th, 2009There are many people who need calcium supplements, such as growing kids, teens, the elderly, women, vegans and the lactose intolerant, for instance. The main purpose of calcium is to promote bone health, strengthen teeth, regulate muscle functions, ensure proper enzyme activity and aid in the transmission of nervous system messages. One of the most common supplements is calcium carbonate, which you probably know best as an antacid to relieve indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux and upset stomach. Rolaids and TUMS fall under this category of over-the-counter medications, and while they provide a good source of calcium, you can also get this nutrient from food.
To get your daily recommended value of calcium, you may want to just take a supplement like TUMS, Rolaids, Calcitrate or Chooz. Food is another excellent source. You’ll get 300 out of your daily 1,000 mg from one cup of milk, a carton of yogurt or 200 ml of Calcium fortified soymilk or orange juice. Fortified milk can provide as much as 400 mg in one cup. For another 100 mg, you can eat leafy greens like broccoli, collard, bok choy, Chinese cabbage and spinach. Note that the calcium absorption works best with dairy products or vitamin D containing substances and you may only be able to absorb 5% from something like spinach, which also contains a high level of oxalate. Other sources include soy, sardines, salmon, fortified breakfast cereals, fortified fruit juices and fortified breads.
There are many ways to take a calcium supplement if you feel you’re not getting enough of this vital mineral in your daily diet. Since calcium absorption occurs best when calcium intake occurs in an acidic environment, calcium citrate (like Citracal or Solgar) is the easiest supplement to absorb. However, calcium carbonate pills contain more elemental calcium per unit, so you can take less of something like Tums or Caltrate to get the same effect. These supplements are best taken after meals or with a glass of orange juice, since they’re alkaline-based and require more digestive juices to absorb. They are also available in chewable form.
If taken normally, there are subtle side effects to calcium carbonate, like bloating, gas and constipation. Kidney stones may occur with extremely high doses of calcium. If you’re taking drugs for epilepsy, diabetes or heart disease, then there may be an interaction, so check with your doctor. Additionally, excessively high doses of vitamin D can cause dangerously high calcium levels. High doses of calcium (Hypercalcemia) can interfere with iron and zinc absorption, as well as cause dry mouth, abdominal pain, irregular heartbeats, confusion and comas.
Koopuwa is a premium antioxidant beverage made with cupuacu, acai, pomegranate, and blueberry juices - both delicious and powerful in it's health benefits. Revolutionize your health today - Order Now!
