Calcium
Food Sources: Dairy products, tofu, and leafy green vegetables.
Adult Female ( RDA ): 1200 mg.
Types Available: Chelated calcium such as, calcium citrate, calcium gluconate and calcium lactate is easier to digest, especially in the elderly. Calcium carbonate is generally less expensive.
Beneficial Effects: Calcium supplementation is generally recommended to help prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Several studies have shown that calcium supplementation can help slow down bone loss but does not prevent it. In osteoporosis calcium does not replace the bone loss which has already occurred. Women who are taking estrogen, Fosamax®,Actonel®, or Miacalcin®, for osteoporosis should also be taking calcium.
