Definition of Calcium Citrate

Calcium citrate is the calcium salt of citric acid. It has a sour taste and is used in some food for flavoring, and more generally as a preservative. It is sometimes used as a water softener due to its ability to bond with certain metal ions. Calcium citrate is one of the more common forms of calcium used to prevent and treat calcium deficiencies. The most common forms on the market are Citracal, Citracal Liquitab or Solgar Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D.

Bioavailability

• Calcium citrate is produced as a byproduct of the industrial production of citric acid. It may not be as cheap or as prevalent on the market as calcium carbonate, another calcium supplement, but has certain benefits that calcium carbonate does not have.

Calcium Citrate and Calcium Carbonate

• Most doctors will prescribe calcium citrate after gastric bypass surgery. It dissolves without a great deal of stomach acid, so it could be taken on an empty stomach. Pills are usually small, but since there is less calcium within than calcium carbonate, more pills must be taken per day to make up the daily required dosage of calcium. Calcium carbonate is alkaline based, so it can only be taken after a meal or with an acidic juice such as orange juice.Calcium citrate is good for people taking acid-reducing agents such as antacids, H2 antagonists or certain prescription medications. Also, it is commonly recommended for senior citizens due to the reduction of acid production as one ages.

Side Effects

• Though rare, possible side effects of calcium citrate have included hives, swelling of the throat, lips, tongue, or face and difficulty breathing. Slightly more common, less serious side effects include increased urination, constipation, dry mouth/increased thirst decreased appetite or nausea.

Why is it Needed?

• The National Institute of Health reports that calcium supplements are the third highest selling supplement in the United States. Many Americans do not eat enough dairy products to satisfy their daily requirements for calcium. Natural foods such as milk, cheese, yogurt or vegetables such as kale or broccoli have high amounts of calcium. Pills containing calcium citrate or calcium carbonate are also needed for woman who are pregnant, athletic or post-menopause who have higher needs of calcium.

People At Risk

• There are certain factors that will help or hinder absorption of calcium whether taking calcium citrate, calcium carbonate or taking calcium through food/drink portions. As people age, their ability to absorb calcium lessens. Small children have a rate of net calcium absorption up to sixty percent. Adults range fifteen to twenty percent. The amount of vitamin D in your body will aid in calcium absorption. This is why many calcium supplements, as well as milk, contain this valuable vitamin. Certain acids such as phytic acid (found in nuts, beans, seeds and whole grain bread) and oxalic acid (found in sweet potatoes, spinach and collard greens) reduce the absorbability of calcium. People whose diets contain less than the 1000mg to 1300mg of calcium that the FDA recommends are urged to take a calcium supplement.