Not All Calcium is Alike
Calcium occurs in different forms, including calcium carbon¬ate, citrate, gluconate, lactate, dolomite, and coral calcium. Most supplements are made with either calcium carbonate or calcium citrate. Supplements containing calcium carbon¬ate are generally less expensive and contain twice as much elemental calcium by weight as supplements containing calcium citrate, so there are fewer pills to take.

The amount of elemental calcium in a supplement is important, because that is the amount of calcium that the body can actually absorb from the calcium compound. For example,
1,500 mg of calcium carbonate contains 600 mg of elemental calcium.

Beyond Bones
In addition to making sure we get enough calcium and vitamin D, we can also help keep our bones strong by being physically active. Physical activity increases the force on bones, and they respond by increasing in mass. The more bone mass we have, the less fragile our bones will be. Weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, provide the most benefit.

• Reducing the risk of colon cancer: A major clinical study showed that taking two calcium carbonate tablets (providing 1,200 mg of elemental calcium) a day may help reduce the risk of colon cancer by preventing the recurrence of colorectal adenomas and colon polyps.
  
  
• Relieving PMS symptoms: 1,200 – 1,500 mg of calcium a day for two months or more may help reduce PMS symptoms.
  
  
• Preventing high blood pressure: A link has been suggested between high blood pressure and low calcium intake. Studies have found that calcium has a small effect on lowering systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading).
  
  
• Managing weight: Calcium may help adjust the body’s fat-burning processes and facilitate fat loss for those on a calorie restricted diet.
  
  Not Just for Women - Everyone needs calcium. Here’s why:
  
  
• Children and adolescents: Young children need calcium to help form strong bones and teeth, and the need for this mineral doesn’t stop when children reach adolescence. The body continues to use calcium to build bone mass throughout the teen years. The more bone we develop during our early years, the better off we will be later in life. Your child doesn’t like milk or can’t swallow pills? Try a tasty Caltrate® Soft Chew.
  
  
• Women: One in every four Canadian women over the age of 50 will develop osteoporosis. Continuing to get enough calcium can help slow bone loss, as well as provide a range of other health benefits.
  
  
• Men: One in every eight Canadian men over the age of 50 develops osteoporosis. The male hormone testosterone is important for maintaining bone health. As men age, their testosterone levels tend to drop. Any man who experiences a loss of height, a change in posture, unexplained back pain, or a bone fracture should ask his doctor if he should be tested for osteoporosis. While hip fractures are more common in women, they are more serious in men.
  
  
• Mature adults: Don’t make the mistake of thinking that once you reach the age of 50 you no longer need to be concerned about your calcium intake. It’s never too late to get the benefits of added calcium, even if you have already been diagnosed with osteoporosis. Calcium and vitamin D work with some medications to slow the progress of osteoporosis, helping to stop bone loss, increase bone mass, and reduce fracture risk.