For the normal course of life processes and the work of all organs, the intake of various minerals into the body is necessary. One of the most important is calcium. With its deficiency, bones become brittle, the condition of the hair worsens, the work of the heart is disrupted, muscle spasms occur. In such cases, it is not enough to increase the amount of foods containing calcium in the diet, it is recommended to take it additionally. This is the only way to make up for its lack. There are various calcium preparations in which this mineral is in the form of salts. The choice depends on the purpose of the drug, the age and individual characteristics of the patient. Therefore, only a doctor can determine which drug is better to take.
The role of calcium in the body
Not only the normal state of bones and teeth depends on this microelement, it performs a lot of important functions in the body:
- regulates blood coagulation processes;
- strengthens the walls of blood vessels;
- lowers cholesterol;
- improves metabolic processes;
- improves heart function;
- is the basis of bone tissue;
- supports healthy hair and nails;
- participates in carbohydrate metabolism;
- promotes proper muscle contraction.
Indications for use
An adult needs 800 mg of calcium daily. Children and adolescents need it more - up to 1200 mg, the same amount is necessary for pregnant women and the elderly. The need for this trace element in people involved in sports, taking hormonal drugs or following different diets is increasing. In this case, you need to take calcium supplements in order to prevent a decrease in its level.
But taking such drugs is necessary only as directed by the doctor, since not only the deficiency is harmful, but also an excess of this mineral in the body. It is necessary to check the level of calcium with the appearance of weakness, fatigue, increased irritability, tachycardia, and a decrease in immunity. Fragility of nails, tooth decay, numbness of fingers can indicate its lack.
There are conditions when additional intake of calcium is simply necessary. Otherwise, its lack will negatively affect the health of some organs. Prescribe calcium-containing drugs in such cases:
- increased acidity of the stomach when the absorption of many trace elements is impaired;
- rickets in a child;
- a large number of teeth affected by caries;
- hypertonicity or frequent muscle spasms;
- deterioration of blood coagulation;
- osteomalacia or osteoporosis;
- after bone fractures;
- joint diseases;
- women during menopause.
Contraindications and side effects
Not always calcium preparations are useful for the body. There are some conditions in which it is forbidden to take it additionally. Therefore, only a doctor can prescribe such medicines. They are contraindicated in the presence of the following pathologies and conditions:
- hypercalcemia;
- individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
- hypersecretion of the parathyroid glands;
- malignant tumors;
- urolithiasis disease;
- renal failure;
- phenylketonuria.
If you do not follow the doctor’s recommendations or take such drugs on your own, side effects may occur. Usually they are rare, only with an overdose or with individual intolerance. In the event of such symptoms, the drug should be discontinued. May occur:
- nausea;
- stomach ache;
- allergic reaction;
- flatulence;
- constipation.
Application features
Modern people often have a lack of calcium. Its absorption is impaired by smoking, drinking alcohol and caffeinated drinks. This mineral may now be scarce in food and water. And the minimum amount of calcium that must be ingested per day should not be less than 400-600 mg. Therefore, it is often recommended to take it additionally. But you need to do this correctly so as not to harm your health.
First of all, you need to choose a drug only on the recommendation of a doctor. But at the same time, you must definitely study the instructions. It indicates the number of elements in one tablet. Usually, the doctor prescribes the dosage. Most often it is 500-1000 mg per day. It is best to take a dose not at a time, since small doses of the mineral are better absorbed. The course of treatment is usually 1-3 months, depending on the individual condition of the patient.
If it is recommended to drink tablets 1 time per day, it is better to do it in the evening, when the mineral penetrates the bone tissue more efficiently. Calcium absorption improves if you take the drug with food. And it slows down the absorption of alcoholic beverages, coffee, soda, some medications. It is better to drink such tablets with plenty of water. It is sometimes recommended to use sour juice for this.
Types of drugs
Previously, only calcium gluconate was very common. It was he who was always appointed in such cases. But then they found out that this mineral in the form of gluconate is absorbed very poorly. Now there are several varieties of calcium compounds. Which drug is best, only a doctor can determine. As a rule, experts recommend lactate or calcium citrate; there are also compounds such as carbonate or gluconate. They are usually available in regular tablets or capsules, but chewable or soluble tablets can be found on sale.
In addition, all such drugs are divided into several groups according to which components are included in their composition.
- Monopreparations contain only calcium salt in the form of lactate, carbonate, citrate or gluconate.
- Complex calcium preparations are considered more effective, as they contain components that improve its absorption. Most often, this is vitamin D3.
- Multivitamin preparations contain many different trace elements. But usually there is not much calcium in them to provide a daily need for emergency cases.
- Recently, dietary supplements with calcium, which has a natural origin, have become popular.
Which calcium preparation is better
After a comprehensive examination, only a doctor can determine in what form you should take this trace element. A large number of different drugs can now be found on sale. Many of them are widely advertised, but this does not mean that they are more effective. Others have a high price due to the fact that they include additional elements that are often completely unnecessary for better absorption of calcium. When choosing a medicine, the determining factors should not be price or advertising, but the composition and dosage of the trace element. There are inexpensive and effective calcium supplements that don't advertise at all. This, for example, "Calcium lactate" or "Calcemin."
It’s best to choose drugs that include salts such as lactate or citrate, as they are most easily absorbed. Gluconate, which was so popular before, is absorbed very poorly. But such pills can also be bought, as there is a way to increase their effectiveness. To do this, crush the tablet into powder and drip a few drops of lemon juice on it. When the composition hiss, it means that calcium has passed into an easily digestible form.
Carbonate is also absorbed slowly. In addition, its production is quite complicated, so often you can find low-quality drugs on sale. But this can be checked: a tablet of calcium carbonate should be lowered in 9% vinegar. If after half an hour it dissolves, then the drug is of high quality.
In addition, when choosing a drug, you need to pay attention to the dosage. A person needs at least 400 mg of this mineral per day. And in serious cases, this amount rises to 1000-1200 mg. Therefore, if it is indicated that calcium contains 20 mg, the drug to replenish its deficiency will be useless.
Monopreparations
This is the most common group of calcium preparations. Their list is quite large, and it is from him that doctors choose a remedy for various pathologies. The main thing is to choose the right variety so that the mineral is better absorbed. There are such popular drugs:
- "Calcium gluconate";
- "Calcium pantothenate";
- "Calcium Citrate";
- Calcium Lactate
- "Calcium Sandoz";
- Vitacalcin;
- Calcium Additive.
But when using these drugs, it is recommended to additionally take vitamin D3.
Integrated Tools
More effective calcium preparations are those that, in addition to it, contain vitamin D3 and other substances. This vitamin is also essential for healthy bones and teeth, and it also improves the absorption of calcium. The most popular drugs are:
- Calcemin;
- "Calcium D3 Nycomed";
- "Complivit D3 calcium";
- "Natekal D3";
- "Natemile";
- Rockaltrol;
- "Alfadol Ca".
Multivitamins
Recently, multivitamin preparations have become popular. They contain a whole complex of vitamins and minerals necessary for the normal functioning of the body. But usually it is less calcium in them than is needed to make up for its deficiency in serious pathologies. Therefore, most often multivitamins are prescribed for prevention. Most of this mineral is found in such preparations:
- "Multi Tabs";
- Vitrum
- "Sana Sol";
- "Elevit."
Biologically active additives
These are drugs that include natural calcium. It is absorbed better than synthetic. It is extracted from shells, marine animals, made from bone meal or eggshell. These are such products as Marine Calcium Biobalance, produced with the addition of iodine, magnesium, zinc, vitamin C or other trace elements, Calcium 600 from oyster shells, and Mountain Calcium D3. You can also find on sale "Coral Calcium" - a drug made from crushed corals.
The best calcium supplements
On sale now you can find a large number of such funds. When choosing them, you need to focus not on the price, since the effectiveness of treatment does not depend on it. The main thing is the amount of the main active substance and the features of its absorption. The best calcium products that meet these requirements are:
- "Calcium Sandoz Forte" is an effervescent tablet with an orange flavor, the mineral is presented in the form of lactate, carbonate and gluconate, which ensures its complete and fast absorption, and it is contained in the preparation in an amount of 500 mg.
- "Calcium D3 Nycomed" - is available in the form of chewable tablets with a mineral content of 500 mg, and the presence of vitamin D3 ensures its more efficient absorption.
- "Vitrum Osteomag" - contains this mineral in the form of carbonate in an amount of 600 mg, and in addition to it, vitamin D3, magnesium, boron, copper, zinc are present.
- "Calcemin Advance" - contains the same trace elements and also calcium citrate, which is easier to digest, but the amount of mineral is only 500 mg.
Reviews
The names of calcium preparations are so different that without consulting a doctor it is difficult to figure out which one is better. But some funds won a large number of positive reviews from the people who took them. According to the majority, this mineral is best absorbed, released in the form of soluble effervescent tablets, for example, Calcium Sandoz Forte. Some also prefer to take drugs intended for children and come in the form of a suspension or chewable tablets. Indeed, many drugs have a large pill size, which is very difficult to swallow. Also, most people respond positively to inexpensive drugs, such as Calcium Lactate, Calcinova, Calcium Asset - their cost does not exceed 140 rubles per month course of treatment, and the effect is not worse.