One of the fifth most abundant element in our bodies. Salts of the element allows for the manufacturing of Calcium supplements that people take to increase the amount they consume on a daily basis. A well-balanced diet should provide most people with enough, but when this is not the case, the supplements can be bought over the counter. They can provide a variety of health benefits, including (and not limited to) strengthening teeth and bones, lowering risks of cancer and helping people to lose weight.
While it can be bought over the counter, many people prefer to acquire them online. You’ll find that there are a wider variety of supplements and types to buy than in pharmacies or supermarkets, and often they will be a lot cheaper. However, buyers must be wary of scammers and illegitimate products. However they are acquired, it is important to try to consume enough calcium every day as it is key to our diets.
The element’s uses date back to as early as 40,000 BC when its medical importance wasn’t yet recognised. Before its first use in the medical world in the 19th Century, it was used to pigment paint and chalk, as well as being made into limestone and marble for construction and architectural purposes. However once its necessity to our health was discovered, supplements of and the element itself were highly sought after. The World Health Organisation also included it in their List of Essential Medicines.
There are several types of the supplement that have various pros and cons, but the two main types are carbonate and citrate. Carbonate is cheaper and more widely available than citrate, as well as the fact that it contains 40% of the pure element, compared to citrate which only contains 21%. However, carbonate is known to cause more side effects such as bloating, constipation and gas, and it is recommended to be taken with food. There are also the options for the supplements to be taken as capsules, chews, liquids or powders.
However, there may be possible risks to taking the incorrect amount of the supplement. A shocking study included by a Telegraph article also suggests the pills could double the risk of heart attacks. Bear in mind, though, that overall findings in this area have shown mixed results. Children also run the risk of developing rickets and adults could develop osteomalacia/osteoporosis in later life, as well as too much consumption increasing the risks of kidney stones and hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia can be identified by side effects such as nausea, memory loss, muscle weakness and dehydration.
Aside from scary health risks from dosages different to the daily recommendation, calcium is highly important to the body. All bodies benefit from it, and if you are a postmenopausal woman, follow a vegan lifestyle, have a high-protein or high-sodium diet or suffer from conditions that limit the ability of the body to absorb the element, you will benefit especially. If strong bones and teeth is something you’d like to maintain, these products are worth thinking about.