How much elemental calcium is in calcium citrate?

Now you know what elemental calcium is, you may be wondering about the varying levels in the various calcium supplements available in store or online. Different types of calcium have different levels of elemental calcium. So, how much elemental calcium is in calcium citrate, for example?

One thing you will need to know about calcium citrate is that despite it being gentler on the digestive system and easier to absorb, it does contain less elemental calcium than calcium carbonate. However, the benefit is that it is plant-based elemental calcium unlike the rock-derived calcium carbonate, and – as some experts believe – a better quality calcium supplement than others.

When looking at what calcium supplements to choose for you, it is important to weigh up several factors. One of these is the amount of elemental calcium each pill contains. As elemtnal calcium is the actual calcium that will be absorbed by the body, this is key to the whole idea of taking the supplement.

On each supplement’s packaging, the information on the label will be useful to determine how much you need to take and when. With most calcium carbonate supplements, the elemental calcium rate is around 40 per cent, so a 1000mg pill will contain 400mg of calcium – less than half your recommended daily amount.

Calcium citrate on the other hand will on average contain around 21 per cent elemental calcium which is a fifth of your daily amount that is recommended. Most people who choose calcium citrate take two pills three times a day. However, unlike calcium carbonate it does not need to be taken with food and can be ingested with just a sip of water. Calcium citrate is recommended to older people, anyone who suffers from decreased stomach acid or anyone on acid blockers. This type of calcium supplement is seen as a far more gentle form of getting one’s correct calcium intake on a daily basis.