Photo courtesy of New Chapter

Calcium is an earth mineral with the atomic number 20. In its pure form, Calcium is a silvery metal, and it is the 5th most abundant element on the planet. It’s also abundant in the human body. Why is calcium so very important? Well, our bodies use calcium to aid in normal muscle and nerve function, blood clotting, cellular health, and the release of certain hormones. Calcium is even required for a normal heartbeat! Given this vital role, the body keeps calcium in the bloodstream at all times, and our bones and teeth act as a handy storage bank for calcium. And when blood calcium levels are low due to dietary intake, calcium is taken from our bones and used by the body—which can affect bone strength. Replacing lost amount of calcium on a daily basis is essential to maintaining normal calcium levels in bones.

What are the Types of Calcium?

If you’re interested in getting a balanced intake of this critical bone mineral, there are different sources of calcium.

CALCIUM CARBONATE

• Elemental calcium: 40%
• Source: Calcium carbonate is usually mined and extracted from limestone rock. It is also available from certain species of marine algae harvested from the ocean floor. New Chapter’s Bone Strength Take Care is crafted with high-quality plant- based calcium carbonate from the sea called Red Marine Algae (Lithothamnion).
• This is the most commonly used form for calcium supplements. It has the highest concentration of calcium per tablet, meaning fewer tablets are required to get the desired dose. Calcium carbonate should be taken with meals, since acidity improves absorption.

CALCIUM CITRATE

• Elemental calcium: 21%
• Source: Calcium citrate is typically a byproduct of citric acid production. A fermentation process produces a broth rich in citric acid. Calcium hydroxide is added, causing calcium citrate to precipitate from the broth.
• This form is less dependent on acidity for calcium absorption, so it does not need to be taken with meals. However, the low concentration of calcium means more pills are required to get a specific amount of calcium into your routine (compared with calcium carbonate).

CALCIUM GLUCONATE

• Elemental calcium: 9%
• Source: Calcium gluconate is typically produced by mixing gluconic acid with calcium carbonate or calcium hydroxide.
• Not typically used as a dietary supplement.

CALCIUM LACTATE

• Elemental calcium: 13%
• Source: Calcium lactate is typically produced by mixing lactic acid with calcium carbonate or calcium hydroxide.
• Not typically used as a dietary supplement.

How Much Calcium Does Your Body Need?

Daily recommendations for adults vary slightly. This list of general calcium recommendations is from the National Institutes of Health.

In general, adults get some of their recommended daily calcium from food. But many people may not be getting enough. You can make sure you’re getting adequate calcium intake by adding a calcium supplement to your day. (Talk to your healthcare professional with questions about the best calcium regimen for you.)

Calcium and Bone Health

The body stores calcium in your bones and will take any needed calcium from your bones if you’re not consuming enough. You also experience bone loss just due to age—both men and women begin to lose bone density every year starting around age 30. This can lead to a condition called osteoporosis, characterized by weak, brittle bones that are prone to fracture.

Fortunately, you can start today to protect your bone health and maintain your body’s essential structure over the years. Take these steps to support strong, healthy bones:

• Stay physically active! Weight-bearing and resistance exercises are shown to help prevent osteoporosis. These include walking, dancing, running, and lifting weights. (Talk to your healthcare professional before starting an exercise program.)
• Eat well. The average diet provides some of the recommended calcium for adults. See below for some examples of calcium-rich options you can add to your day.
• Supplement with care. The right calcium supplement accounts for the calcium you’re already getting from food—without over delivering.

Calcium in Non-Dairy Foods

Dairy products are a good source of calcium, sure. But did you know that about 65% of adults in the world have lactose intolerance? This means many of us do not digest milk or dairy products well—so we can’t comfortably rely on milk products for dietary calcium. In addition, some people follow vegan, plant-based diets, so would not be getting calcium from dairy.

Fortunately, calcium is present in many non-dairy foods such as dark leafy greens, legumes, fish with bones, as well as calcium- fortified juice or cereal. Here are some examples of calcium levels in these foods.

Sources for nutrition data: Cleveland Clinic, Dietary Guidelines 2015-2020

Sustainable Sourcing of Plant-Based Calcium

Photo courtesy of New Chapter

Because plant calcium is a whole food, it can be sourced sustainably; the Red Marine Algae (Lithothamnion) used by New Chapter grows in the pristine waters off the coast of Iceland. It is allowed to mature naturally, then harvested from its marine habitat while leaving the young, living plants untouched. In this way, they utilize calcium from responsibly wild-crafted plants, not rocks.

Is Plant-Based Calcium Better Than Other Types?

Calcium carbonate that is not from plants is typically derived from limestone rock (essentially chalk) and it has a flat, basic architecture that lacks other bone-supportive nutrients. Plant calcium is different. It’s complex and porous, containing an intricate matrix of minerals in a natural honeycomb structure. It supports bone health holistically, with whole-food Calcium, Magnesium, and 70 important trace minerals (also including Strontium and Silica).

How to Maximize Absorption of Calcium

Potentially as important as the source of calcium is whether it’s formulated for your body to really absorb. The addition of Vitamins D3 and K2 help your body maximize absorption of the calcium and direct it to the bones where it’s supposed to be.

So how do you choose the most absorbable calcium? By making sure you’re choosing a calcium-vitamin blend that also includes K2 and D3. Think of Calcium as the bricks, and Vitamins K2 and D3 as the mortar. It’s ideal to have them together—as in Bone Strength Take Care.

Is ‘Too Much Calcium’ A Problem?

Calcium is important, but excess doses of calcium are not recommended. As noted above, the right calcium supplement accounts for calcium you’re already getting from food (which is recommended to be around 1000-1200 mg a day for adults). You don’t need more than that on a regular basis.

This post is courtesy of New Chapter. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.