Nature's Way Calcium

Calcium is important for proper bone development and muscle function. It regulates heart rhythm; activates enzyme systems including blood clotting. It is also essential for nerve/muscle innervation, regulates blood pH, and operates the calcium channel pump by which important bio-molecules are transported into the cell.

Calcium is essential to the proper development of bones and teeth. It is involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions which produce energy. Calcium is also necessary for muscle function, providing the mechanism for muscle contraction and relaxation.

Suggested Usage: Take two capsules twice daily with meals or water.

• Calcium carbonate is the form of calcium found in chalk, Tums, and many inexpensive supplements.  Its advantages?  It's cheap, and you can fit a lot of it in a pill.  It's disadvantages?  As an antacid, it may compromise digestion, potentially leading to a number of problems, not the least of which is constipation.  Also we need adequete stomach acid to absorb it.  If taken on an empty stomach, or by someone using acid-blocking medications, it will absorb poorly.
• Calcium citrate is considered a more "premium" form of calcium.  You can fit less of it in a single pill than you can calcium carbonate, but it absorbs better and does not impair digestion.  Although less well known, calcium lactate, gluconate, aspartate, malate, and chelate are all probably as good.
• Calcium hydroxyappatite (MCHA) is very absorbable and fairly economical.  It is highly recommended, but it is derived from cow bones, so not suitable for vegetarians.