Calcium

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body – almost all of it is found in the bones and teeth, while a small amount circulates in the blood and is involved in the work of muscles and nerves and in blood clotting. The body cannot produce it on its own, so it has to be obtained from food, and when the diet is not sufficient, calcium in the form of tablets, effervescent tablets or combination products can help to meet daily needs.

In the Calcium category at ApotekaOnline you will find products with calcium citrate and calcium carbonate, effervescent tablets and combinations with vitamin D3. If you are looking for complete bone support, also take a look at the Osteoporosis – calcium, vitamin D and K2 category, combination products in the Calcium, magnesium, zinc and D3 category, as well as single-ingredient products in the Vitamin D category. A wider range is available in the Vitamins and minerals category.

What calcium is for and when to take it as a food supplement

Calcium is needed for the maintenance of normal bones and teeth, and contributes to normal blood clotting, normal muscle function and normal neurotransmission, as well as to normal energy-yielding metabolism and the normal function of digestive enzymes. In children, it is needed for normal growth and development of bone. The reference daily intake for adults (the reference value used on labels in the EU) is 800 mg.

The main dietary sources of calcium are milk, yoghurt and cheese, followed by sardines and other small fish eaten with their bones, sesame and tahini, almonds, legumes, and green leafy vegetables such as kale and broccoli. A food supplement most often makes sense for people who do not consume dairy products (lactose intolerance, vegan diet), during the menopause and in older age, when preserving bone mass is especially important, and when a doctor or pharmacist judges that dietary intake is not sufficient.

Vitamin D contributes to normal absorption and utilisation of calcium, so these two ingredients are often combined in the same product.

Which calcium is best: citrate, carbonate or effervescent tablets

There is no single answer for everyone to the question of which calcium is best – it depends on how the product is taken, whether you have a sensitive stomach and whether you already take vitamin D. The most important thing is to look at the amount of elemental calcium (what the body actually receives), not just the mass of the salt stated on the pack.

The body makes better use of calcium when the total daily amount is split into two smaller doses during the day, rather than one large dose. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and do not exceed the recommended daily dose.

What to watch out for: interactions and safe use

In the gut, calcium binds to some medicines and reduces their absorption. That is why a gap of several hours (usually 2 to 4 hours, according to the medicine's leaflet) is needed between calcium and levothyroxine (a thyroid medicine), antibiotics from the tetracycline and quinolone groups (e.g. ciprofloxacin), iron products and osteoporosis medicines from the bisphosphonate group.

People who have had kidney stones, have kidney disease or have high blood calcium should consult a doctor before taking a supplement. The same applies to pregnant and breastfeeding women, and to people who have been prescribed calcium therapy by a doctor after thyroid or parathyroid surgery – in that case the dose and form are determined by the doctor, not by an off-the-shelf food supplement. If you also take a multivitamin, add up your total daily amount of calcium.