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A 31-year-old member asked:

Is calcium carbonate a better calcium supplement than calcium citrate?

2 doctor answers5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Cayce Jehaimi
Pediatric Endocrinology 23 years experience
No: No, the only difference is that the former is better taken with food whereas the latter (calcium citrate) can be taken on an empty stomach.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Valencia Porter
Holistic Medicine 23 years experience
Depends: While both are common, some find calcium carbonate more constipating and it may not be as well absorbed. Others can tolerate calcium citrate better and it may be better absorbed. The body only absorbs about 400-500 mg at a time so do not dose all at once.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Similar questions

A 35-year-old member asked:

Which is a better calcium supplement: calcium carbonate or calcium citrate? Why?

1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Michael Kleerekoper
A Verified Doctoranswered
Endocrinology 53 years experience
Calcium: Not much to choose from. Go to the drug store and look at the several options for calcium. Carefully read the comments on each one and choose the one you think is best for you. Try focusing on the less expensive end.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 34-year-old member asked:

What calcium supplement should I use, calcium carbonate or calcium citrate?

1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in
Dr. David Sneid
Endocrinology 43 years experience
Either: Just make sure you take the proper amount to balance with your diet and take 2000 units vitamin d3 as well, citrate is easier to absorb and doesn't need to be taken with meals, but can be more expensive and less "calcium dense" per pill.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 46-year-old member asked:

What's the difference between calcium citrate and calcium carbonate?

1 doctor answer2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Frederick Singer
Endocrinology 60 years experience
Absorption: Calcium citrate and calcium carbonate are calcium supplements which are recommended to people who do not use dairy products. Calcium carbonate is not well absorbed in people who have low amounts of acid in the stomach. Calcium citrate is well absorbed in the absence of acid.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

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Last updated Jul 4, 2019

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