• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Zippy Facts Logo

Zippy Facts

Interesting Random Facts

  • Animals
  • Culture
  • Firsts
  • Food
  • Geography
  • Health
  • History
  • Inventions
  • Language
  • Mythology
  • Odds
  • People
  • Religion
  • Science
  • Space
  • Universe
  • World
You are here: Home / Science / What form of calcium supplement is most easily digested and why do the supplements sometimes cause indigestion?

What form of calcium supplement is most easily digested and why do the supplements sometimes cause indigestion?

June 24, 2020 by Karen Hill

Calcium citrate, the type found in calcium-enriched orange juice, is less likely to cause stomach upset than other forms.

Calcium carbonate and calcium gluconate are the two forms that are most common in supplements; they both tend to be adequately absorbed. Calcium citrate is a good alternative, because it is very well absorbed and also enhances iron absorption, which may be inhibited by some other forms.

For all kinds of calcium supplements, it has been found that vitamin D, either in foods or supplements or manufactured by the body in the presence of sunlight, increases absorption of calcium.

The 1994 National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference statement on calcium says that gastrointestinal side effects of calcium supplements are usually observed at relatively high dosages.

Calcium ions stimulate gastrin secretion and gastric acid secretion, which can produce a rebound hyperacidity when calcium carbonate is used as an antacid.

These side effects should not be major problems with a modest increase in calcium intake, the statement said.

As with other nutrients, the conference emphasized: “The preferred approach to attaining optimal calcium intake is through dietary sources.”

Related Facts

  • Are Calcium Supplements Made From Oyster Shells Better Than Other Types?
  • Why Does the Label On My Cream Cheese Package Say It Contains No Calcium?
  • Is quinoa a grain from the Andes high in calcium and what are other sources of calcium?
  • How Is It Possible For Vegetarian Children To Get Enough Calcium From a Diet With No Eggs, Fish or Milk?
  • Where does Calcium Carbonate come from and How is Lime made?
  • How Do Vitamins and Minerals Interact With Each Other and Must Some Vitamins Be Taken Separately?

Filed Under: Science

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

Previous Post: « Why does drinking alcohol make you feel warm?
Next Post: If I eat a lot of yogurt will the bacteria in it make me sick? »

Footer

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • GitHub
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Medium
  • Pinterest
  • StumbleUpon
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Categories

Accomplishments Animals Culture Firsts Food Geography Health History Inventions Language Mythology Odds People Religion Science Space Universe World Your Body

About

Zippy Facts empowers the world by serving educational content that is accessible to everyone.

A tribute to growing up, zippyfacts.com showcases interesting and unusual facts about the world.

Our mission is to use technology to facilitate knowledge transfer and sharing.

Copyright © 2020 Zippy Facts

  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy