Pure Encapsulations is our top choice for the best calcium supplement, followed closely by Nature Made. Read on for the full list and what to look for when you’re shopping.
Share on PinterestA quick look at the best calcium supplements
- Best overall: Pure Encapsulations Calcium Citrate | Skip to review
- Best value: Nature Made Calcium with Vitamin D3 | Skip to review
- Best for women over 50: Garden of Life mykind Organics Plant Calcium | Skip to review
- Best for bone health: Thorne Advanced Bone Support | Skip to review
Calcium is an important mineral that’s crucial for maintaining bone strength and structure.
What’s more, it’s involved in many other aspects of health and is required for blood clotting, muscle contractions, and nerve cell function.
While it’s recommended to meet your calcium needs through your diet from foods like dairy products, nuts, seeds, and leafy greens, some people may need additional help from a supplement to ensure adequate intake.
Selecting a high quality calcium supplement can be challenging, especially if you’re not sure what to look for.
Keep reading for our picks of the best calcium supplements, along with tips for how to choose the right supplement for your needs.
Types of calcium supplements
There are several different forms of calcium available, each of which contains varying amounts of elemental calcium (or the amount of calcium that’s actually used by the body).
Calcium carbonate is one of the most common, least expensive, and readily available forms. Calcium citrate is another common type found in supplements, which is less dependent on stomach acid to absorb and therefore less likely to cause digestive issues.
Other types of calcium supplements that are available include:
- calcium sulfate
- calcium ascorbate
- calcium microcrystalline hydroxyapatite
- calcium gluconate
- calcium lactate
- calcium phosphate
Healthline’s picks for the best calcium supplements
A note on price
General price ranges with dollar signs ($-$$$) are indicated below. One dollar sign means the product is rather affordable, whereas three dollar signs indicate a higher price range.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $0.20 per serving
- $$ = $0.20-$0.40 per serving
- $$$ = over $0.40 per serving
Most products require you to just take one capsule daily, but some have a greater serving size.
Best overall
Pure Encapsulations Calcium Citrate
4.7 (3.1k+) from Amazon- Form: capsule
- Dose: 2 capsules per day
- Certifications: NSF Certified company, certified gluten-free
- Price: $$
Healthline's review
Packing 300 milligrams (mg) of calcium into a single serving, this high quality supplement features calcium citrate, a form of calcium that the body easily absorbs.
Because it contains slightly less calcium than many other supplements, it may be a good option for those who are taking other supplements, like a multivitamin, that also provides some calcium.
In addition to being hypoallergenic and made without the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), this calcium supplement is certified gluten-free, making it a great option for those with food sensitivities or celiac disease.
Pure Encapsulations facilities are certified by NSF, meaning that they follow strict standards to ensure safety and quality. Raw materials and products also undergo extensive testing throughout manufacturing, both in-house and by third-party labs.
Read our full review of Pure Encapsulations.
Pros & cons
- NSF certified facilities
- third-party tested for purity and potency
- contains an easy-to-absorb form of calcium
- vegan-friendly
- certified gluten-free
- lower amount of calcium per serving than other products
- NSF certified facilities
- third-party tested for purity and potency
- contains an easy-to-absorb form of calcium
- vegan-friendly
- certified gluten-free
- lower amount of calcium per serving than other products
Product details
- Number of servings: 90 per container
- Active ingredient(s) (serving strength): calcium 300 mg (23% DV)
- Number of servings: 90 per container
- Active ingredient(s) (serving strength): calcium 300 mg (23% DV)
Best value
Nature Made Calcium with Vitamin D3
4.7 (20.1k+) from Amazon- Form: tablet
- Dose: 1 tablet per day
- Certifications: USP-verified
- Price: $
Healthline's review
This supplement from Nature Made is one of the most affordable options on the market. It contains 500 mg of calcium in the form of calcium carbonate, a compound that contains a high amount of calcium in each dose.
Calcium carbonate is not only more widely available than other forms but also often more affordable. However, this form of calcium is commonly associated with mild gastrointestinal side effects like gas and bloating.
This product likewise contains vitamin D, which can help increase the body’s ability to absorb calcium.
For people who dislike swallowing pills, Nature Made also offers a gummy version of this supplement.
Nature Made products are verified by United States Pharmacopeia (USP), a third-party organization that tests supplements for purity and potency.
Pros & cons
- cost-effective
- USP-verified
- combined with vitamin D to maximize benefits
- some report that pills are difficult to swallow
- contains calcium carbonate, which may cause gas and bloating
- cost-effective
- USP-verified
- combined with vitamin D to maximize benefits
- some report that pills are difficult to swallow
- contains calcium carbonate, which may cause gas and bloating
Product details
- Number of servings: 130 per bottle
- Active ingredient(s) (serving strength): vitamin D3 10 mcg (50% DV), calcium 500 mg (38% DV)
- Number of servings: 130 per bottle
- Active ingredient(s) (serving strength): vitamin D3 10 mcg (50% DV), calcium 500 mg (38% DV)
Best for women over 50
Garden of Life mykind Organics Plant Calcium
4.6 (3.9k+) from Amazon- Form: tablets
- Dose: 3 tablets per day
- Certifications: third-party tested for purity and potency, USDA organic, non-GMO, certified vegan, certified gluten-free
- Price: $$$
Healthline's review
This supplement not only contains 800 mg of calcium in each serving, but it also provides a range of other nutrients essential for women over 50, including vitamin D, magnesium, and vitamin K2.
Both vitamin D and vitamin K are important for bone health and the prevention of conditions like osteoporosis, or bone loss.
Additionally, vitamin D can increase the absorption of calcium, which helps maintain bone strength.
This product is one of the few calcium supplements that’s certified organic, which may be an important consideration for those who prefer sticking to organic supplements.
It’s also gluten-free, vegan, and third-party tested, which can help ensure that you’re getting the highest quality possible.
Just keep in mind that because it contains vitamin K, people taking blood thinning medication, like Warfarin, should consult with a healthcare professional before taking it.
Pros & cons
- third-party tested for purity and potency
- certified organic, vegan, and gluten-free
- formulated to promote bone health
- relatively expensive
- not a good option for those who prefer a single-nutrient supplement
- recommended dosage of 3 tablets per day
- third-party tested for purity and potency
- certified organic, vegan, and gluten-free
- formulated to promote bone health
- relatively expensive
- not a good option for those who prefer a single-nutrient supplement
- recommended dosage of 3 tablets per day
Product details
- Servings: 30 per bottle
- Active ingredient(s) (serving strength): vitamn D 25 mcg (125% DV), calcium 800 mg (62% DV), magnesium 60 mg (14% DV), vitamin K2 80 mcg, strontium 4 mg, vanadium 8 mcg, organic plant calcium blend 3.3 g (algae, apple, beet, broccoli, carrot, spinach, tomato, strawberry, cherry, black berry, green bell pepper, Brussels sprout, ginger, blueberry, garlic, green onion, raspberry, parsley, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, cucumber, celery, asparagus)
- Servings: 30 per bottle
- Active ingredient(s) (serving strength): vitamn D 25 mcg (125% DV), calcium 800 mg (62% DV), magnesium 60 mg (14% DV), vitamin K2 80 mcg, strontium 4 mg, vanadium 8 mcg, organic plant calcium blend 3.3 g (algae, apple, beet, broccoli, carrot, spinach, tomato, strawberry, cherry, black berry, green bell pepper, Brussels sprout, ginger, blueberry, garlic, green onion, raspberry, parsley, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, cucumber, celery, asparagus)
Best for bone health
Thorne Advanced Bone Support
4.6 (367+) from Amazon- Form: capsule
- Dose: 2 capsules per day
- Certifications: NSF certified facilities
- Price: $$
Healthline's review
In addition to calcium, Thorne Advanced Bone Support includes magnesium, boron, folate, and vitamins D, B6, and B12, all of which play important roles in supporting bone health.
As a result, the supplement could be a good option for people at an increased risk of osteoporosis.
Additionally, unlike many other bone health supplements that contain vitamin K, this supplement may be suitable for people on blood thinners.
Thorne supplements are manufactured in NSF certified facilities. Additionally, all products are extensively tested in-house or by third-party labs to ensure purity and potency.
Read our full review of Thorne.
Pros & cons
- includes other nutrients that are important for bone health
- high quality standards
- free of gluten, dairy, and soy
- not a good option for those who prefer a single-nutrient supplement
- includes other nutrients that are important for bone health
- high quality standards
- free of gluten, dairy, and soy
- not a good option for those who prefer a single-nutrient supplement
Product details
- Number of servings: 60 per container
- Active ingredient(s) (serving strength): vitamin D 1,000 IU (125% DV), vitamin B6 20 mg (1,176% DV), folate 166.6mg DFE (42% DV), vitamin B12 50 mcg (2,083% DV), calcium 300 mg (23% DV), magnesium 100 mg (24% DV), boron 3 mg
- Number of servings: 60 per container
- Active ingredient(s) (serving strength): vitamin D 1,000 IU (125% DV), vitamin B6 20 mg (1,176% DV), folate 166.6mg DFE (42% DV), vitamin B12 50 mcg (2,083% DV), calcium 300 mg (23% DV), magnesium 100 mg (24% DV), boron 3 mg
A comparison of the best calcium supplements
Here’s a quick look at how our top picks compare:
-Price rangeTypeForm% DV per servingServing sizeActive ingredientsPure Encapsulations Calcium Citrate$$calcium citratecapsules23%2 capsulescalciumNature Made Calcium with Vitamin D3$calcium carbonatetablets38%1 tablet• vitamin D3• calcium• magnesium• vitamin K2Garden of Life mykind Organics Plant Calcium$$$calcium (from organic algae)tablets62%3 tablets• vitamin D• calcium• magnesium• vitamin K2• strontium• vanadium• organic plant calcium blendThorne Advanced Bone Support$$dicalcium malatecapsules23%2 capsules• vitamin D3• calcium• vitamin B6• folate• vitamin B12• magnesium• boronHow we chose
This article evaluates calcium supplements based on the following criteria:
- Quality: We looked for products from reputable companies that have ideally been third-party tested or manufactured by third-party certified facilities.
- Type of calcium: We prioritized supplements that feature forms of calcium that are easy to absorb.
- Dosage: We included supplements that provide a range of doses to help you find a product that meets your needs.
- Additional ingredients: Many of our picks pair calcium with other nutrients to support bone health or maximize absorption, such as vitamin D, vitamin K, or magnesium.
- Vetting: All products included in this article have been vetted and approved by our team of experts to ensure that they meet Healthline’s medical and business standards.
Why you should trust us
Every brand and product on our list has been reviewed by registered dietitians and vetted to ensure that it aligns with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. Each product in this article:
- adheres to allowable health claims and labeling requirements, per Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations
- is manufactured in facilities that adhere to current good manufacturing practices established by the FDA
- is produced by a medically credible company that follows ethical, legal, and industry best standards
- is made by a company that provides objective measures of trust, such as having its supplements validated by third-party labs
How to choose
With so many supplements on the market, picking the right product can be challenging.
Here are a few of the most important factors to consider:
- Extensive testing: In addition to buying supplements from a reputable manufacturer, be sure to look for products that have undergone testing to ensure purity and potency, ideally by a third-party lab.
- Type: Calcium carbonate is more widely available and cheaper, and it contains a higher amount of calcium. But it may cause gas and bloating. Calcium citrate is more expensive but more easily absorbed in the body, which may be key for people who have low stomach acid or are taking proton pump inhibitors.
- Ingredients: It’s important to check the ingredient label carefully and steer clear of products that contain high amounts of fillers, additives, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives. Many products also contain added ingredients like vitamin D, which can help optimize the absorption of calcium.
- Dosage: Though calcium requirements range from 1,000 mg to 1,300 mg daily for most adults, supplements with 200 mg to 500 mg are usually enough to help fill in the gaps in your diet. However, some people may need a higher amount, including those with certain dietary restrictions or health conditions.
Note that it’s important to only use supplements as directed and to talk with a healthcare professional before trying them, especially if you have any underlying conditions or are taking medications.
Additionally, always talk with your healthcare professional before using a high dose calcium supplement, and remember to split supplementation into several smaller doses of less than 500 mg to maximize absorption.
Useful supplement shopping guides
Check out these two articles to help make supplement shopping a breeze:
- How to choose high quality vitamins and supplements
- How to read supplement labels like a pro
Benefits of calcium
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and is essential for maintaining bone strength. In fact, about 98% of the calcium found in the body is stored in the bones.
Calcium is also involved in several other important functions in the body, including:
- nerve transmission
- hormone secretion
- blood clotting
- blood vessel contraction
- muscle function
Getting enough calcium in your diet through foods or supplements might offer several potential health benefits.
For example, one study of over 7,300 people under age 35 found that calcium supplementation was tied to increased bone mass.
According to another review, each 300 mg increase in daily calcium consumption was linked to a 6% lower risk of developing colorectal cancer.
Other research suggests that calcium may even aid weight loss by altering the absorption and metabolism of fat, though more studies are needed.
Potential risks and side effects
Too much calcium
Though calcium is an essential mineral and plays a central role in bone health, excessive intake of calcium from supplements has been associated with several negative side effects, including:
- increased risk of kidney stones, especially when combined with vitamin D or if supplements are taken between meals rather than with food
- higher risk of heart disease and heart attack
- hypercalcemia, or high levels of calcium in the blood, which can cause a range of symptoms, including digestive issues and bone pain
If you’re considering taking calcium supplements, talk with a healthcare professional first to determine whether the potential benefits outweigh the risks.
Not enough calcium
Not getting enough calcium can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition that causes the bones to become weak and brittle.
Calcium deficiency may also contribute to other bone disorders like rickets, which causes the softening of the bones in children.
In many cases, low levels of calcium may not cause any symptoms. However, calcium deficiency has been linked to a wide range of health issues, some of which can be serious. These include:
- numbness in the mouth
- tingling of the hands or feet
- muscle spasms
- kidney problems
- calcium deposits
- cataracts
- congestive heart failure
- depression
Who should take calcium supplements
Calcium supplements can be a simple and effective way to increase your calcium intake.
They may be especially beneficial for certain groups, including:
- those who are unable to meet their calcium needs through food sources alone
- people with health conditions that can interfere with nutrient absorption
- postmenopausal people, as menopause can lead to bone loss and decreased calcium absorption
- those concerned about bone loss, as adequate calcium intake is recommended to maintain bone health and decrease bone density loss during menopause
It’s important to talk with a healthcare professional before taking calcium supplements to determine whether they are necessary for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best form of calcium to take?
There are several forms of calcium available, each of which has its own pros and cons.
Calcium citrate is often preferred over other types because it’s more readily absorbed and less likely to cause side effects.
On the other hand, calcium carbonate may be associated with gas and bloating, but it’s also more affordable, readily available, and requires fewer tablets per serving to reach your desired dose.
Other forms are also available but are less common and have not been studied as extensively, including calcium phosphate, calcium ascorbate, and dicalcium malate.
There are several forms of calcium available, each of which has its own pros and cons.
Calcium citrate is often preferred over other types because it’s more readily absorbed and less likely to cause side effects.
On the other hand, calcium carbonate may be associated with gas and bloating, but it’s also more affordable, readily available, and requires fewer tablets per serving to reach your desired dose.
Other forms are also available but are less common and have not been studied as extensively, including calcium phosphate, calcium ascorbate, and dicalcium malate.
How much calcium do I need per day?
The recommended DV for calcium is 1,000 mg for adults and children 4 years and older. However, individual calcium needs can vary based on your age and assigned sex at birth.
Here is the recommended dietary allowance for calcium for specific groups:
- 19-50 years: 1,000 mg per day
- 51-70 years: 1,000 mg per day for men, 1,200 mg per day for women
- 70 years and over: 1,200 mg per day
The recommended DV for calcium is 1,000 mg for adults and children 4 years and older. However, individual calcium needs can vary based on your age and assigned sex at birth.
Here is the recommended dietary allowance for calcium for specific groups:
- 19-50 years: 1,000 mg per day
- 51-70 years: 1,000 mg per day for men, 1,200 mg per day for women
- 70 years and over: 1,200 mg per day
Is vitamin D the same as calcium?
Vitamin D and calcium are two different nutrients. Calcium is a mineral found naturally in dairy products and leafy greens. Meanwhile, vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that’s produced by the skin in response to sun exposure.
Though there are several differences between these two nutrients, both play a key role in bone health and are often combined in many supplements.
Vitamin D and calcium are two different nutrients. Calcium is a mineral found naturally in dairy products and leafy greens. Meanwhile, vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that’s produced by the skin in response to sun exposure.
Though there are several differences between these two nutrients, both play a key role in bone health and are often combined in many supplements.
Can vitamin D be taken with calcium?
Vitamin D and calcium can be taken together. In fact, many calcium supplements also contain vitamin D, as it increases the absorption of calcium.
Vitamin D and calcium can be taken together. In fact, many calcium supplements also contain vitamin D, as it increases the absorption of calcium.
The bottom line
Calcium is an important mineral that plays a central role in bone health.
While its best to meet your calcium needs through food, some people may benefit from also taking a supplement.
There are many calcium supplements on the market, each of which varies based on the type of calcium, dosage, and ingredients it contains.
When selecting a calcium supplement, be sure to consider all of these factors and look for products that have undergone third-party testing to ensure that you’re getting the highest quality possible.