Choosing The Right Calcium Supplement

There are two basic types to consider. But no matter which you choose, don't take more than 500 milligrams at once- your body can't absorb much more than that.

• Calcium Carbonate: The most common type of calcium and least expensive. It's found in Tums, Caltrate, and most of the chewables. Since stomach acid is required to dissolve it, it's best absorbed when taken with food. Calcium carbonate can cause gas. If this happens to you, choose calcium citrate.

• Calcium Citrate: Because it already has acid in it, you don't have to take this supplement with food. It's found in Citracel and Solgar. It doesn't cause gas, as calcium carbonate sometimes does, but the pills tend to conatin smaller amounts of calcium, so you might have to take up to four a day to get your full dose.