Supplements seem to be everywhere: the grocery store, the pharmacy, even at the local mall.
But with so many selections and locations, prices can vary greatly.
Calcium supplements are one of the more common supplements and can be found easily, but not always at the best price.
Sometimes buying calcium supplements online can be much less expensive than purchasing them at the store.
Of course, supplementation is only one part of an overall healthy lifestyle; exercise matters, too. Go PRO today for access to workout routines, goal trackers, and more.
Why Is Calcium Important?
The human body contains approximately 60 percent calcium which resides primarily in bones, teeth, and nails. Long term calcium deficiency can lead to weak bones that can be easily fractured.
Calcium is the main component in the fight against poor bone health, osteoporosis, heartbeat regulation, and your body’s ability to perform proper blood clotting. Unfortunately, calcium deficiency in the U.S. is common.
A varied diet can meet all of your calcium needs. Calcium can be found in a large variety of green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, and cabbage.
Peanuts, black-eyed peas, oranges, almonds, sardines, and oysters are also great sources of calcium. But if you are not able to include these into your diet, an alternative source of calcium, such as supplements, should be able to fill in the gaps.
What Types of Calcium Supplements Are Available?
Calcium supplements are available in liquids, capsules, chewable tablets that come in flavors such as chocolate, as well as adult gummy chewables in a variety of flavors that resemble Flintstone vitamins for children.
What Should I Look for When I Shop Online for Calcium Supplements?
Department stores will often offer vitamins and supplements at store locations as well as offering them for purchase through their websites. Some stores offer free home shipping online for orders that meet a certain monetary requirement. Sometimes you can even have your order shipped to the store for free if you pay for it online first.
The main components of calcium supplements are calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, and calcium citrate. This where the elemental calcium is stored, which is the true amount of calcium that the supplement contains.
The amount of elemental calcium per tablet will determine the cost per bottle. Cost is also affected by purity. Look for brands that have the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) symbol or product labels with the word “purified” in the description.
Get More Out of Your Health and Fitness Routine. Go PRO!
Sign Up
Be wary of online sites that carry a specialty brand of supplements. These are usually harder to get which causes the price to increase due to the law of supply and demand. Often, they are not special at all and contain the same ingredients as a more popular, common brand.
There are organic forms of calcium supplements for those of you who are willing to spend a little bit more. These are geared towards those who want a strictly plant-derived, organic supplement without any other synthetic additives.
Online sites are focused on selling their products so often you can find sites that offer a buy-one-get-one-free deal. Be sure to check the Sale or Clearance links before paying full price.
Another goodie to watch out for are those sites that offer specials where you buy the first bottle at full price, and then the cost of each subsequent bottle decreases. However, the shipping charges can take all the fun out of online shopping.
Look for sites that offer free shipping on orders over a certain price. The holidays are a great time to stock up because online stores have been known to waive shipping fees during designated shopping days.
How Much Calcium Should I Take?
The recommended dosage for the average adult is between 1200 to 1300 milligrams of calcium per day. The older you get, the more calcium you need in order to maintain strong bones. Older adults usually require about 1500 grams per day. Consult your family physician before starting any type of supplement.
Calcium supplements usually come in 600-milligram doses, so the common dosage is about two pills per day, usually taken with food for maximum absorption. More detailed information on calcium supplements can be found on the FDA’s website.
An overdose of calcium is unlikely because the gastrointestinal tract is responsible for regulating how much calcium is absorbed into your body. If you take too much, expect some constipation and an increased risk of kidney stones.
However, calcium toxicity can occur if the excess calcium is consumed in conjunction with a large amount of vitamin D, which increases your body’s calcium absorption rate.
Remember, exercise is also an important component of your overall health. If you are looking for an exercise routine, look no further. Go PRO today for access to certified personal trainers, workout plans, and more.