Calcium Citrate Supplement 500 mg

Yes, the tablets may be broken or crushed for easier swallowing.

Osteoporosis is a major public health issue affecting bone health that is becoming more common in both women and men. Learn more about supplements that can support your goal of having and maintaining strong bones.

Your body doesn’t just need calcium to build and maintain strong bones; it also plays a role in blood clotting, assisting the mucles to expand and contract, regulates normal heart rhythms and nerve functions. 

As we age, we often have less stomach acid; therefore, calcium citrate is recommended for people over 50.  Calcium carbonate requires stomach acid for absorption.

Cooper Clinic physicians prefer that calcium be consumed through food sources, and individual diets vary greatly. In addition, calcium requirements are dependent upon both gender and age. Because of these variables, Cooper Complete multivitamins do not contain calcium.

While 99% of calcium is stored in the bones and teeth, the remaining 1% is essential for your heart, nerves and muscles to function normally.

Yes, a prolonged calcium deficiency can cause hair loss as well as dry skin and brittle nails.

There is no indication that calcium increases cholesterol. In fact, some studies have shown that it may help lower cholesterol levels.

Calcium citrate, including Cooper Complete Calcium Citrate, may be taken with or without food, so many find it easiest to take at bedtime or before breakfast. Since your body cannot absorb more than 500 mg at a time, whether from food or a supplement, taking on an empty stomach ensures optimal absorption.  Calcium carbonate needs to be taken with food to aid in absorption, so it cannot be taken on an empty stomach. 

Calcium supplements can interact with some prescription medications, such as blood pressure medications, synthetic thyroid hormones and even bisphophonates used to treat osteoporosis. It also affects the absorption of iron, zinc and magnesium. 

Yes. Your body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025 report that 30% of adult men and 60% of adult women don’t consume enough calcium. Not getting enough calcium can lead to low bone mass, a risk for osteoporosis.

Calcium citrate is more easily absorbed than calcium carbonate. Your body doesn’t need stomach acid to absorb calcium citrate so it is a better choice for those with digestive issues or who take heartburn medications. Calcium citrate may also be taken on an empty stomach.

There is an image on the Calcium Citrate product page showing the tablets next to a quarter for size reference. If you go to the bottle image of Calcium on the product page and scroll right you will see the picture.

Calcium citrate does not require stomach acid for absorption, so it can be taken with or without food. Because this form of calcium does not require stomach acid for absorption, calcium citrate supplements are recommended for people who regularly take antacids.

If you take Coumadin or Warfarin, we recommend consulting your doctor before adding Calcium Citrate Supplement or other supplements to your diet.

To determine the amount of calcium in food products, if you’re reading food labels that say 20 percent calcium, replace the percent sign with a zero to get the total milligrams. So, for example, 20 percent would be the same as 200 milligrams of calcium.

Calcium-rich foods include fortified tofu, canned salmon and dairy products. Calcium-fortified juices, cereals and bread are also available. Broccoli, spinach, kale and brussels sprouts also contain calcium, but at lower levels.

If you drink milk to get your calcium, keep in mind that one cup (eight ounces) typically has about 300 mg of calcium. So, you’ll need to drink between three and four cups daily to meet the calcium requirements. Some soy, rice, and almond milk are fortified with calcium, but amounts vary widely, so check the labels when evaluating different brands.

Research indicates that long-term, daily calcium intake is required to promote bone health best. Bone health doesn’t seem to differ based on how someone consumes calcium — whether by eating calcium-rich foods or taking different types of calcium supplements.

Yes, Cooper Complete Calcium Citrate is vegan.

Our body can absorb approximately 500 mg of calcium at a time. If you need to take more than 500 mg calcium per day, we suggest splitting the pills up across the day. While calcium citrate can be safely taken with food, we recommend taking calcium citrate supplements on an empty stomach or at a meal where there’s little (if any) calcium in the meal.