Calcium supplements for Osteopenia

There are many Calcium supplements on the market. Not all are worth using because they are not easily absorbed. Absorbability is the big problem with supplements. So many supplements simply pass through your intestinal tract.

Here is a test you can perform to find you how well your supplement will be absorbed. Put your supplement in 3-4 oz of warm water. If not dissolved within 30 minutes, it is unlikely to dissolve in your stomach. What can you do to help absorption? Because calcium is so difficult to absorb, you should always take your calcium supplements with food. Since some forms require stomach acid to dissolve, it is best to take your supplement at the end of your meal. And because of the difficulty with absorbability, you are likely to get the most benefit from your supplement by dividing your dosage so that you are taking some after each meal....and at before retiring.

Recent studies have shown that calcium taken before bedtime seems to have the most effect on lowering the markers for bone resorption at night. If you are taking Natural Strontium or Protelos these are best taken before bed on an empty stomach AND SHOULD NEVER BE TAKEN AT THE SAME TIME AS CALCIUM - since that would interfere with absorption.

Which is the best supplement to use?

Liquid, powdered or chewable calcium is better than tablets since these dissolve more easily. Many health care practitioners suggest Calcium carbonate because it supplies the hightest percentage of calcium by weight. It is wise to look for supplements with USP mark. This is the mark of an independent nonprofit organization that sets quality standards.

Here is a list of common calcium supplements with a listing of the amount of calcium that is likely to be absorbed from the supplement.

NAME - Calcium/mg per tablet Acutal amount absorbed

Brand names
• Alkamints Calcium carbonate 850 mg 340 mg
• Biocal calcium Calcium carbonate 1250 mg 500 mg
• Calsup Calcium carbonate 750 mg 300 mg
• Caltrate 600 Calcium Carbonate 600 mg 200 mg
• Citracal calcium citrate 630 mg 200 mg
• Digel Calcium carbonate 280 mg 112 mg
• Oscal Ultra Calcium carbonate 600 mg. 240 mg
• Tums Calcium carbonate 500 200 mg
• Viactiv Calcium carbonate 500 mg 250 mg

Generic

• Calcium carbonate 500 mg 200 mg
• Calcium gluconate 500 mg 45 mg
• Calcium lactate 650 mg 84.5 mg

There is additional information about some supplements

• Cal Mag liquid by Genestra
• Caltrate Calcium
• Oscal: what does the research say?
• Calcium developed by a Japanese researcher that has a scientific track record of increasing bone density - even among the elderly. Go to Advacal, calcium supplement
• VIACTIV Flavorglides

Added Notes: Be sure to take Vitamin D with your calcium supplements since Vitamin D is necessary for your body's use of calcium.

For specific calcium products, go to Vitacost. Theyare very reliable and their discounts on prices are outstanding.Vitacost.com for Calcium Supplements

Sources used for this article: Reversing Osteopenia by Harris H. McIlwaint, MD and Debra Fulghum Bruce Ph. D. pp. 100 - 102.

To read about other natural Osteopenia Treatments go to: Osteopenia - alternative medicine