Calcium is a very important nutrient when it comes to the health of your bones, but it actually does so much more than that. The body also uses calcium  to regulate the heart rate, promote blood clotting, encourage the health production of hormones and conduct nerve impulses.

Calcium is, in fact, a multi-purpose nutrient that everybody, particularly women, need to have in their daily diets. Unfortunately, not many people get even half of their daily calcium requirements, which is why we see so many cases of osteoporosis and other bone disorders especially among the elderly.

There are many different kinds of foods that are rich in calcium such as dairy products and leafy green vegetables. However, with the busy lifestyle that most people live these days, it’s not always easy to prepare these nutritious meals every day. In order to make sure that you do get your required calcium dose, it would be good to take calcium supplements daily.

Criteria for Choosing a Calcium Supplement

• There are many different kinds of calcium supplements in the market, and it is essential that you find one that will give you exactly what you need. For instance, you might be looking at a supplement consisting mainly of calcium phosphate. This compound is quite high in calcium but is not easily absorbed by the body. On the contrary, supplements based on calcium citrate have a lower calcium concentration, but can be more easily absorbed by the body. You have to weigh all the different factors to find out which one is best for you.

• There are certain kinds of calcium supplement made from natural substances like dolomite or oyster shells. While many people might be attracted to the fact that these are natural, you should also consider the risk that it might contain traces of unpurified metals that can be detrimental to your health in the long run.

• Many calcium supplements also have amounts of vitamin D, and these kinds are recommended for people who spend most of their time indoors.

• Certain calcium supplement brands cause unpleasant side effects like flatulence or bloating. If you notice these side effects, switch to a different brand right away.

• Before buying any calcium supplement, make sure the seal has not been tampered with, as the contents may already have been contaminated.

• One of the problems of many calcium supplements is that the body has a hard time absorbing them. To test, drop a pill into a glass of clean water and leave it for half an hour, stirring it every now and then. If the pill does not melt in the water, your body probably won’t absorb it. Find a brand that works better.

The best way to get your daily calcium requirement is still by eating calcium-rich foods like salmon, tofu, milk and leafy green vegetables. If this is not possible, the next best option is to find yourself a good calcium supplement that can provide you with the adequate nutrients to keep your bones strong and healthy.