Occurring 12 months after a woman’s last menstrual period is a biological process called menopause. This cessation of the menstrual cycle can happen in your 40’s or 50’s. Around this time, there is a gradual decline in the hormone called estrogen which can interfere with the ability of the body to hang on to calcium. What you may not further know is after 5 to 7 years of your menopausal period, your body is less able to keep calcium from dietary sources.
If calcium intake is consistently inadequate, your body will take the naturally occurring calcium from your bones, making it weak and brittle. This is also one of the main reasons why bone density decreases during menopause, risking many women with osteoporosis and fractures. Additionally, calcium is a vital nutrient for regulating the heart and what your body needs to carry messages into your nervous system. Low levels of calcium can additionally contribute to menopausal mood swings, stress, anxiety, and depression.
What you eat during menopause will, therefore, influences how your body manages the changes. It is particularly important to involve a high intake of calcium as your need for calcium doubles up, so you don’t have to deal with the consequences of calcium loss in the years to come.
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Who Needs Calcium Supplements
Best calcium supplements have long been used to prevent calcium depletion. Since women are at a higher risk of such, many doctors recommend that they take best calcium supplements, especially after reaching menopause.
In general, everyone loses bone density and mass as we age. While you can’t halt age-related bone loss entirely, there is plenty you can do to keep your bones in their best health as you age. Such is increasing calcium intake through best calcium supplements. An adequate intake of best calcium supplements safeguards your bones against osteoporosis and bone fractures associated with aging.
Children who are not getting enough calcium from their diet may also need best calcium supplements to meet their daily calcium allowance necessary for their developing and growing bones.
What are Calcium Supplements
The point of taking best calcium supplements is to meet your daily allowance of calcium or increase your intake of calcium in general. Best calcium supplements are categorized according to bioavailability or how well they are absorbed by the body and how well are they received by the cellular membranes. Besides that, best calcium supplements come in varying elemental calcium or the amount of calcium in the supplement.
There are of course takeaways and setbacks of each type and to help you better understand what’s best calcium supplements and what’s not so great for your menopause, here’s a breakdown of the types.
Calcium Carbonate – This is the one of usual recommended best calcium supplements for menopause because it is the highest concentration of 35 to 40 percent elemental calcium. It is not the best calcium supplements when it comes to bioavailability, however. It’s best taken with meals since it needs the production of extra stomach acid for it to be absorbed and assimilated by the digestive system.
Calcium Citrate – This type of calcium supplement is more absorbed and more tolerated by the body than that of the carbonate form. The base is acidic and will not need more acid in the stomach to be absorbed, making it one of the ideal best calcium supplements if you a low stomach acid. Calcium citrate works equally with or without food. Since the elemental calcium is just 21 percent, you may need to take down a handful of tablets to up your calcium intake.
Oyster Shell, Bone Meal, and Dolomite Calcium – These best calcium supplements are derived from natural resources and have the higher absorbable content. However, it is hard to find an excellent quality control with these best calcium supplements. Alarming rates of toxins have been found in them and this is not the kind of risk you will not want to take.
Calcium Lactate, Calcium Gluconate, and Calcium Phosphate – These 3 are the best calcium supplements that have the least side effects, but often are the most expensive of all best calcium supplements. Taking them in pill forms will need you to consume a hefty amount as the elemental concentration is only about 15 percent. If a higher elemental calcium is what you are after, opt for a tribasic form of calcium phosphate which has about the concentration of calcium carbonate.
Calcium Citrate Malate – This is a water-soluble-form of calcium and will readily penetrate more into the cell membrane. It also has the highest levels of bioavailability than most of the forms best calcium supplements. This is also one of the best calcium supplements you will want to go for if you are tight on budget.
Calcium Orotate – This calcium is like the primary mineral found in bone and teeth and by far considered by many experts as one of the best calcium supplements to support calcium levels. Extensive research has further found out that calcium orotate forms are the best calcium supplements to foster cellular communications because of its high efficacy in delivering calcium ion to inner layers of the cells and nucleus. However, with all the rewards added this kind supplement, best calcium supplements having calcium orotate will cost you more.
Calcium Ascorbate – You are partly getting the benefit of the calcium carbonate and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in calcium ascorbate since this kind of calcium is made in a combination of such. Like calcium carbonate, however, it is not readily absorbed by the body, unless taken by food. Nevertheless, the combination of vitamin C helps to increase the calcium absorption
Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite Calcium (MCHC) – MCHC is the go-to calcium for older people who are getting low-phosphorus and protein in their diet. Derived from animal bones, this calcium supplement in many studies showed a good potential in the marker of bone turnover and prevention of osteoporosis.
In addition, best calcium supplements may be combined with vitamin and minerals that may help increase calcium absorption, especially in the case of calcium supplements with low bioavailability. Besides the type, you may also choose from best calcium supplements according to the tablet, capsule, chewable, liquid and powder forms.
What Are the Benefits of Calcium Supplements for Menopause
Despite the changes occurring during a menopause, there a lot of things you can do to take of your health and enjoy this important period of your life. It is especially important to up your calcium intake since most of the unfortunate health consequences are related to calcium loss. One basic approach is taking supplementation to help get you through your menopausal period and ensure a stronger health in the more years to come.
Fills in Calcium Gap – As mentioned, the falling estrogen during menopause slows down how your body keeps calcium from dietary sources, exposing you to a range of health diseases related to calcium loss. Best calcium supplements have long been helping both menopausal and postmenopausal women meet their calcium requirements and prevent calcium depletion.
Helps with Osteoporosis – Reduced bone mineralization is a common health concern with aging as your body continually removed calcium from your bones. It’s likely to happen with women around their postmenopausal period as they can’t add any more calcium to their bones, making osteoporosis and bone fractures an inevitable process they must go through. Taking best calcium supplements around your menopausal period is the best time to stock up calcium so when you reach the peak of your menopause, you can be assured that your bones have reached their best bone mass to keep you and your bones healthy.
Improves Metabolic Markers – Weight gain, especially on the abdomen, hips, and thighs, are likely to happen during menopause because of the hormonal changes that are taking through. Another benefit that comes along with taking best calcium supplements is the improvement of metabolic markers, especially when taken with vitamin D. Calcium helps down the release in parathyroid hormones that is one of the culprits in the stimulation of fat, preventing obesity and other health-related hazards.
Good for Emotional Health – In many studies, an adequate amount of calcium has shown to ease menopausal symptoms like mood swings, irritability anxiety and depression This is since electrical pulses within the nervous system depend on calcium and low levels are associated with chances of irregular mood fluctuations. Studies have further shown that both alterations of calcium food sources and best calcium supplements can provide this protective effect.
What Are The Precautions of Calcium Supplements for Menopause
One of the best ways to test the bioavailability of best calcium supplements is to drop one tablet in a white vinegar. Stir it every few minutes. If after 15 to 30 minutes the pill did not dissolve or disintegrate in any way, it’s likely that your stomach will have difficulty dissolving it either. This may cause stomach upset, bloating, constipation, and gas with calcium carbonate the most constipating. In such cases, you may need to try a few other types or brands of best calcium supplements to see which kind your body can tolerate well.
As a good rule of thumb, always take the best calcium supplements with food. This does not only increase the calcium absorption but also lessen the gastrointestinal irritation that is a common side effect of best calcium supplements.
Constipation related to taking best calcium supplements can also occur if you take them excessively. The recommended daily allowance for calcium (RDA) for women is 800 to 1500 milligrams (mg). At most, 1000 mg should be more than ample to see you through your premenopausal and menopausal period. On the other hand, postmenopausal women should get at least 1200 mg of calcium a day.
Over 2000 mg of calcium, be it coming for your diet or through taking best calcium supplements can pose damage risks to your kidneys, lead to an excess calcium in your bloodstream (hypercalcemia), and malabsorption of other nutrients in your body. Another controversy surrounding a high calcium intake is the risk of getting a prostate cancer and heart-related diseases associated with consuming hefty splurge of calcium from dairies and best calcium supplements although there is no definitive study to back up this claim yet.
It is also worth noting that your body can only absorb 600 mg of elemental calcium at a time so be sure to pay attention to the serving size of every best calcium supplements to decide how much calcium you are really getting each serving or dose. The supplement facts label on every packaging of best calcium supplements should help you decide the elemental calcium of the supplement. It would help to try and take the best calcium supplements in separate doses, ideally twice a day to help your body absorb it fully.
Medications to suppress stomach acid that is normally prescribed to menopausal women should not be taken alongside best calcium supplements because of the drug interaction. Ask your doctor if there is another practical way to get around this. The same applies to antibiotics and medications for blood pressure, thyroid hormones, bisphosphonates, and calcium channel blockers that you might be currently taking.
Since menopausal women have the least retention for calcium, taking other preventative measures to prevent calcium loss is very useful. In addition to taking best calcium supplements is avoiding caffeine and limiting alcohol intake as these factors contribute to a suppression of calcium absorption. For best results, take best calcium supplements alongside with magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin K to support the best absorption of calcium in your body.
What Are The Best Calcium Supplements for Menopause
Many women may realize the need to take calcium supplements during their menopause but don’t make a conscious effort to know the best calcium supplements that are available on the market today. As with other supplements, one may perform superior to others and you will want to get the most of what you are going to pay for. To help you with that, here’s a list of the best calcium supplements that are not only cost-effective but also deliver the calcium into your body in the most effective way.
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Citracal Slow Release 1200 (80 Capsules)
Overview:
Delivering 1200 mg of calcium per caplet which is all you need to support your daily calcium requirement is this slow-release calcium supplement from Citracal. Best calcium supplements that are in slow-release forms means that the content is slowly dissolved so you have a steady calcium support in a more extended period as opposed to other supplements that pass into the body system too quickly.
Additionally, slow-release best calcium supplements such as this don’t need you to go through the hassle of taking a handful of pills nor dividing the supplement into smaller dosages to get the right dosage. All of this is made possible with the inclusion of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, a plant-derived compound that forms a gel in water, slowing the rate at which calcium release to your digestive tract.
Citracal Slow Release 1200 employs the use of the most often recommended best calcium supplements namely calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. In addition to the calcium content, each caplet also provides 1000 IU of vitamin along with 80 mg of magnesium that additionally helps the calcium be readily absorbable.
Pros
- Uses two of the most go-to best calcium supplements for menopause; calcium carbonate and calcium citrate
- One of the best calcium supplements that support stability of calcium levels in the body
- You don’t need to take multiple pills just to get the right dosage
Cons
- Can cause diarrhea if taken excessively
Kirkland Signature Calcium 600 mg+D3 (500 tablets)
Overview:
If you are looking for a lower concentration to go with your calcium diet, Kirkland is offering a promising calcium citrate in 600 mg each dose. With calcium citrate, you don’t have to worry about the absorption of the body even with the low acid in the stomach. Even better, vitamin D3 is added to the formulation to help with the best calcium absorption.
Other minerals added are magnesium and zinc in which according to studies are critical for bone health alongside vitamin d3 and calcium. No wonder this supplement has been advertised as one of the best calcium supplements for bones and teeth because it has the right combination of minerals that work synergistically to promote stronger and healthy bones.
While you might have to take 4 tablets to get the recommended dose, Kirkland has included 500 tablets that good to last you about 4 months in a very affordable price, making it one of the most cost-effective best calcium supplements considering you are getting it from a company that has gained good reputation when it comes to good-quality products.
Pros
- One of the best calcium supplements to keep healthy bones and treat bone disease
- A significant source of vitamin d3, magnesium, and zinc
- Formulated to be readily absorbable by the body
Cons
- Not coated well which might not good for those who have difficulty swallowing tablets
Vitafusion Calcium Gummy Vitamins For Adults 500 mg (100 Count)
Overview:
If you have difficulty swallowing pills or if you find taking supplements in pill forms much of chore, considering most brands need you to gulp in multiple pills at several times, going for chewable best calcium supplements is your best choice. Vitafusion Calcium is one of the most top-rated best calcium supplements on Amazon for many reasons. A serving size of 2 gummies gives 500 mg in addition to 1000 IU of vitamin D3, 200 mg of phosphorus and a smidge of sodium — all in just 30 calories per serving.
Vitafusion uses a tricalcium phosphate or otherwise known as tribasic calcium phosphate, a readily-absorbed form of calcium with highest elemental calcium among other forms of calcium phosphate. In fact, a third party has tested the product and has verified a purity standard of 630 mg of calcium per serving, exceeding its label claim by 26 percent, which is good if you need a little more calcium in your diet. In addition, you might also like the natural fruit-flavored gummies which makes this product much like a delicious calcium treat.
Pros
- Great alternative to hard-to-swallow pills
- Delivers a decent amount of calcium along with vitamin d3
- Makes use of more readily-absorbed form of calcium
Cons
- Inconsistent sizes of the gummies
Nature Made Calcium 600 mg with Vitamin D Tablets, Value Size (220 Tablets)
Overview:
Nothing beats Nature Made when it comes to quality control and this calcium supplement of theirs just proves it. Independent lab testing has verified each capsule has exactly 600 mg of calcium carbonate that is true to its packaging claim. In addition, Nature Made uses a high-quality lead-detecting machine to detect even the smallest traces of toxic lead. Although all calcium supplements have traces of lead on them, this one of the few best calcium supplements that have passed the USP and California Proposition for lead limits for calcium supplements.
One tablet already gives the needed dosage of 600 mg of calcium and is ideal for those who want to cut back on taking drugs in general. Besides 400 IU of vitamin D, other notable ingredients are the stabilizer and binders which is like the ingredients used in slow-release forms of best calcium supplements. Thus, it’s fair to say that this product also has its slow-release effects. As with other carbonate forms of best calcium supplements, however, it may cause stomach upset, so it’s best taken with a meal.
Pros
- Manufactured by a company known for their high quality and purity standards
- Free of added color, artificial flavor and made without preservative, yeast, and gluten
- One tablet already has the recommended dosage s you don’t need to take multiple caps at a time
Cons
- Has animal-based gelatin; not for vegetarian
BulkSupplements Pure Calcium Citrate Powder (1 Kilogram)
Overview:
The most effective product in relation to its cost out of the featured best calcium supplements here is Pure Calcium Citrate Powder, a product coming from leading supplier of nutrients in powder form, BulkSupplements. The fact that this product is in loose powder form means you can part the amount of calcium you need and at a great bargain price. It comes from highly regarded best source of calcium, the calcium citrate — nothing more nothing less. This means you’re getting pure calcium citrate free from additives binders and fillers.
Also, you won’t need to buy added vitamin or mineral supplements for efficient absorption as calcium citrate is one of the best calcium supplements with the highest bioavailability, so it’s readily assimilated by the body.
The label shows 1 serving size of 2380 milligrams (which is about ¾ of a teaspoon) is equal to 3166 milligrams but bear mind that we are using elemental calcium in citrate form here (which is 21 percent). This means a serving size will give you about 500 mg of elemental calcium which should just be enough to meet half of your daily recommended calcium intake. You can up the serving size if you need to provide that you are not exceeding the limit intake of calcium. If measuring duties doesn’t bother you this is one of the most cost-effective best calcium supplements you can opt for. The powder can be conveniently added to your favorite drinks.
Pros
- 100 percent pure calcium citrate free made without the inclusion of additive and fillers
- One of the most cost-effective best calcium supplements
- Packaged in sealable foil zip pouch for storage convenience
Cons
- Not ideal for those who are looking for calcium supplement with added nutrient content
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Our Choice For The Best Calcium Supplements for Menopause
Citracal Slow Release 1200 (80 Capsules) has made it into our top pick because the slow-release form provides a more stable level of calcium in contrast with other supplements that pass through the digestive tract quickly before it’s fully absorbed by the body. This will help menopausal women as they have the least retention for calcium. Besides, this product’s high potency of 1200 mg of calcium per capsule lessen the needs to gulp in several pills just to up your calcium intake. Another significant plus is the use of the chief recommended best calcium supplements for menopause, the calcium citrate and calcium carbonate which is added to a significant amount of magnesium for best calcium absorption.
