MapMyRun Community - Calcium Supplements

Calcium Supplements

adwileski — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:52:32 -0500

This may be a basic question, but I'll ask anyway. What is the difference between calcium carbonate supplements and calcium citrate supplements? Is one more readily absorbed into the body than the other, and is one more beneficial to runners?

Thanks!

Calcium Supplements

lms1122 — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:34:10 -0500

Calcium citrate is absorbed 2.5 times more than calcium carbonate. If you are taking a calcium supplement be sure you take a vitamin D supplement. Vitamin D is REQUIRED for calcium absorption so without it you calcium supplementation could be useless (I wrote an article on vitamin D with one of my professors. Here is the link if you are interested in learning more: http://mlo-online.com/features/2009_june/0609_special_mlo.aspx). As for one being better for runners I would say no, they are equal. Some supplements can cause gas and GI discomfort, but it is very individualized.

Calcium Supplements

adwileski — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:31:20 -0500

Great, thanks! I had almost forgotten all about this post. I have was taking calcium carbonate in the past and made the switch to citrate, both with vitamin D, when my wife's doctor recommended it for her over the other. I switched simply because I don't want our kitchen counter / cabinet to look like a small pharmacy.

Thanks for the info!