Calcium Supplements and Minerals

Calcium supplements and minerals, such as iron and magnesium, are important for bone health and other processes in the body.

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in bone. It’s in every osteoporosis supplement, marketed heavily by supplement companies and recommended by every doctor. The FDA has approved calcium supplements to “reduce osteoporosis risk.”¹ But most calcium supplements contain calcium carbonate, which is poorly absorbed. The most absorbable forms are calcium citrate and calcium malate.

However, calcium, and even calcium with vitamin D, is not enough. Studies show that these nutrients alone only reduce fractures by 16%. But 45 mg/day MK4, a form of vitamin K2, when combined with calcium and vitamin D, reduced fractures by more than 80% in clinical trials. That's why our calcium supplement, Osteo-K, contains a full-day’s supply of calcium (as citrate/malate) and vitamin D3, plus 45 mg of MK4. These nutrients can help promote stronger bones.

Osteo-K also provides magnesium and boron, for added bone protection. Magnesium is the second-most abundant mineral in bone. It’s been estimated that nearly sixty percent of people do not consume even the minimum recommended amount of magnesium each day. And boron has been shown to decrease calcium excretion.

Most products contain magnesium oxide. The body only absorbs about 2% of magnesium oxide. The rest is being eliminated in your stool. In contrast, more than sixty percent of amino acid chelated magnesium can be absorbed. That’s why Osteo-K contains 250 mg of magnesium (amino acid chelate) per serving.

Another important mineral for health is iron. But most iron supplements contain iron gluconate or iron sulfate. Both cause constipation and cramping. FerroSolve, our iron supplement, contains a specially-formulated amino acid chelated form of iron. Studies show that it’s seventy-five percent absorbable and doesn’t cause the constipation or gastrointestinal upset that keep women from taking iron supplements.

Read the monograph on calcium supplements and see a complete list of bone health topics.