Calcium Supplements for Menopause
Menopause is the time when a woman stops ovulating, menstruation ceases and hormones deplete, thus causing plummeting bone density in some women. Calcium is an important mineral to build bone mass and prevents fractures during this phase of life. There are several types of calcium.
-
Calcium carbonate
-
Calcium carbonate contains a large percentage of elemental calcium, however, the body does not easily absorb it. Calcium carbonate is the most common type found in most drug store supplements.
Calcium citrate
-
Calcium citrate absorbs easily in the body, however, there is less elemental calcium per pill. This calcium is best for women who have low levels of stomach acid due to taking antacid medications.
-
Calcium gluconate
-
This form of calcium contains only 9 percent of elemental calcium, which means more pills are needed to reach the daily requirements. This form of calcium may cause diarrhea and nausea.
Calcium phosphate
-
Calcium phosphate contains both phosphorus and vitamin D along with calcium that helps with absorption. Tums is an antacid that contains calcium phosphate.
Beneficial information
-
To increase bone mass, take a magnesium supplement along with calcium. A 1:1 ratio of calcium to magnesium is preferred, however 2:1 is also acceptable. Calcium requirements range from 600mg to 1200mg daily.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Lintilla
