If poor stamina and regular aches and pains plague you, then it might just be time to get your calcium levels in check. You could be suffering from calcium deficiency wherein calcium, a vital nutrient in the body which leads to expansion and contractions of muscles in the body, is not consumed in enough amounts by your body. A calcium-rich diet is a must in order to have healthy bones, teeth and soft tissues. Often people resort to different types of calcium supplement tablets in order to fight calcium deficiency related problems. Let us find out what the different types of calcium supplements are and what to keep in mind before buying them.

Experts recommend a daily calcium intake of 400 mg/day for an adult person and in the case of a pregnant woman around 1000 mg/day. In order to replenish calcium in your body, despite daily wear and tear, one has to take care of their calcium intake on a daily basis. Thus, many physicians suggest over-the-counter calcium supplements widely available in chemist stores. 

Types of calcium supplements

Calcium compounds are essentially when calcium is present in combination with other substances. Some of the most popular calcium compounds are calcium phosphate, calcium citrate, calcium gluconate, calcium lactate, and calcium carbonate. The most common variety is calcium carbonate which is not only easily available at any medical store without a physician’s prescription but is also pretty inexpensive. However, you are best advised to consult your physician before trying out any of these calcium supplements. 

Things to keep in mind before buying calcium supplements

Here are top 4 things which you should keep in mind before buying calcium supplements:

1. Tolerance: It is often suggested by doctors to increase your calcium tablets intake, once you are at it, in order to gradually deal with bloating, constipation and gastric troubles. Thus, one needs to be careful of the amount of calcium they are absorbing in a day. Initiate with 500 mg a day and gradually move in, obviously keeping the doctors prescribed limit in mind.

2. Authenticity: Do check for the authenticity and the purity of the calcium supplements. It should be certified by a relevant national or international drug approval body (Ex: United Stated Pharmacopeia) or it should have ‘purified’ written on it. Avoid going for the bone meal or oyster shell variety as they may contain toxic chemicals.

3. Never mix calcium supplements: Please make sure that you are not mixing calcium tablets with any other kind of drugs, in particular with antibiotics medicines. This is because this combination can be lethal. Also, make sure you are not taking calcium supplements on an empty stomach.

4. Absorb value: Do check for the absorbability of the calcium medicine by asking your concerned doctor. Go for toffee-like chewable supplements or the liquid variety. 

If you are someone who is far from any kind of joint problem as of now, then we suggest you make sure you are taking the daily recommended allowance of calcium. Go for a calcium-rich diet which should include a combination of these items: shrimp, jaggery, milk, yogurt, khoa and cheese. Even coconut and dry apricot are rich in calcium. Keep all the above mentioned points in mind and soon you’ll be able to say “My bones strongest!”

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