Calcium

Calcium Supplements

Calcium is one of the most abundant minerals found in the human body. Did you know that 90% of the total calcium is found in the teeth and bones? Calcium is essential for people of all age groups, but it is especially important during teenage years and during pregnancy. People above the age of 30 years start losing calcium and it becomes imperative for them to have a calcium rich diet or include calcium supplements for maintaining bone strength and density.

Another category for people who are at an increased risk of osteoporosis is menopausal women. The lack of estrogen in the body becomes the cause of bone cells breaking down faster than being formed. And if at this stage your body is calcium deficient, it may trigger the body to transfer calcium from the bones to compensate for the lost levels which in turn becomes a problem. Thus, it is really important that women above the age of 50 consult their doctor to know about the best GNC calcium supplements for them.

A lot of times people face calcium deficiency, but overlook the signs and symptoms. Look out for these symptoms of calcium deficiency to get proper treatment and timely medication. The signs include –

• Muscle spasms
• Extreme fatigue
• Weak and brittle nails
• Muscle cramps
• Hallucinations
• Numbness and tingling feeling in hands and feet

According to new ICMR RDA, adult men and women should consume 1000mg/d, while children in the age group of 4 – 18 years ranges from 550 to 1050 mg/d calcium. Most people can get their daily calcium requirement through natural food sources. But in extreme cases like an illness, restricted diet etc. your doctor might recommend calcium supplements for added benefits. Sometimes obtaining the required amount of calcium can be challenging, especially for vegetarians, ovo vegetarians, people with lactose intolerance, and vegans. It is best to ask your doctor to recommend you the best quality calcium supplements for maintaining your overall health.

What are calcium supplements?

Calcium is essential not just for strong teeth and bones, but it also plays an important role in muscular and nerve function. Getting enough calcium helps reduce the risk the osteoporosis. Getting calcium through natural food sources and supplements is a great idea. Calcium is also essential to maintain heart rhythm and muscle function. There are different types of calcium supplements available – for men, for women, for senior citizens, and children. It is best to ask your doctor to know which GNC calcium tablet will be best suitable for you.

There are different types of calcium supplements available –

• Calcium citrate
  Calcium citrate is an amalgamation of calcium and citric acid. Various stomach acids are needed for the proper absorption of calcium in the body. The presence of citric acid in the supplement provides an acidic environment that’s much needed for increased calcium absorption.
• Calcium carbonate
  Calcium carbonate is the most common form of calcium found in supplements. It is usually mined from the earth and is also the most cost-effective form. You can easily get calcium carbonate supplements in chewable gummies, tablets, and capsule form.
• Calcium citrate malate
  This is the most absorbable form of calcium available. Supplements with calcium citrate malate provide calcium carbonate with citric acid (citrus fruits) and malic acid (apples). Both these elements help increase overall calcium absorption in the body and are also beneficial in improving bone density. It is recommended that postmenopausal women should include calcium citrate malate supplements for overall health and better calcium absorption. 
• Coral calcium
  Environmental friendly coral calcium is gathered through fossils in the Okinawan Sea. These fossils go through various stages of processing to ensure you get the best quality calcium. Coral calcium supplements mainly provide calcium, magnesium, and various other trace elements to support different functions of the body.

Benefits of calcium supplements

There are many benefits of including calcium tablets in your routine. Some of the most common ones are –

• May reduce the risk of colon cancer
  It is found that calcium obtained from dairy products may lower the risk of colon cancer.
• Muscle contraction
  Calcium is needed in the body for proper muscle contraction. It is released when the muscles get stimulated and help protein carry out the work of contraction. Once the calcium is pushed back into the muscle, it goes into relaxation mode.
• Needed for healthy and strong teeth and bones
  Did you know that 99% of your body’s total calcium is found in bones and teeth? Have a calcium-rich diet and include GNC calcium supplements in your routine to get strong teeth and healthy bones. As calcium is one of the important constituents of bone, it is being studied that higher calcium intake may have a positive impact on bone density. Two main factors in the prevention of osteoporosis would be an improvement in the accrual of peak bone mass and slowing the loss of bone after reaching the peak. 
• May help with fat loss
  Various studies have shown that low calcium intake is associated with high body mass index (BMI) and high body fat percentage. It is recommended that if you take at least 600 mg calcium every day with a calorie-restricted and healthy diet, you’ll see great results. It is also a good idea to include calcium supplements enriched with vitamin D to enhance calcium absorption in the body.
• Prevents bone loss in postmenopausal women
  It is commonly seen that post-menopause women tend to lose bone mass due to a decline in estrogen levels in the body. That’s the reason it is recommended that women especially above the age of 50 years should take calcium supplements.

You need to be consistent with taking calcium supplements to see all these benefits.

Bestselling GNC calcium supplements

Some of the best GNC calcium supplements that you can include in your everyday routine are –

1. GNC Calcium Plus
   GNC Calcium Plus is one of the best calcium supplements available in India. Calcium is important for strong bones and healthy teeth. It is also enriched with vitamin D3 and magnesium which both help enhance calcium absorption and promotes healthy bones. Magnesium is also helpful in the proper functioning of vitamin D. As a dietary supplement, take one tablet daily or as suggested y your doctor. It provides calcium in calcium carbonate form.
2. GNC Milestones Kids Calcium
   Including calcium supplements in your child’s routine will keep them healthy. GNC Milestones Kids Calcium is available in delicious lemon and orange flavors. It is a chewable tablet that’s ideal for kids between the age of 4 – 12 years. Calcium is essential for healthy bones, vitamin D enhances calcium absorption, and magnesium helps with the proper functioning of vitamin D.
   For children between the age of 4 – 8 years, one serving daily is recommended. And for children in the age group of 9 – 12 years, two servings per day are recommended for best results. Calcium is available as calcium magnesium citrate form in this supplement.
3. GNC Women’s Daily Calcium support with vitamin D and magnesium
   Women’s nutritional needs are different from men and they keep changing depending upon various factors like – age, overall health condition, lifestyle etc. As a woman ages, during her postmenopausal years, calcium absorption reduces drastically which can affect the bones and joints. Thus, a calcium supplement is a must. Appropriate levels of vitamin D in the body help with calcium absorption and magnesium is needed for proper metabolism and proper functioning of vitamin D in the body. In this calcium supplement, calcium is provided in tricalcium phosphate form for best results.
   Each serving provides 1000 mg of calcium and it is also fortified with magnesium and vitamin D. As a dietary supplement, take 3 tablets daily for best results.
4. GNC Calcium Complete
   GNC Calcium Complete is a really popular calcium supplement that’s ideal for adult men and women. It balances calcium and magnesium to provide complete joint support and also helps support strong and healthy bones and teeth.
   Some of the main benefits of calcium and magnesium are – they play an important role in promoting healthy muscles, helps with nerve and muscle function, reduce the risk of osteoporosis, helps in mediating vascular contraction, and vasodilatation, muscle contraction, nerve transmission and glandular secretion. Each serving provides 600 mg of Calcium and 300 mg of Magnesium. It is available in soft gel capsule form and a dietary supplement, take 2 soft gel capsules daily. Calcium is available as calcium carbonate form.
5. GNC Earth Genius Vegetarian Calcium with vitamin D3
   If you are looking for a vegetarian calcium supplement, then definitely check out GNC Earth Genius Vegetarian Calcium with vitamin D3. It features Aquamin derived from sea algae and is sustainably harvested in pristine cool water to get the richest source of calcium. Calcium in this supplement is available as calcium carbonate and is derived from Aquamin Sea Algae.
   It is gluten-free and non-GMO supplement and contains no artificial colours, preservatives, or flavours. It is enriched with vitamin D3 to enhance calcium absorption and to support healthy and strong teeth and bones, magnesium for better metabolic function, and 72 other trace elements. As a dietary supplement, take 3 caplets daily with food.

When and how to consume calcium supplements?

To get the best results you should read the dosage instructions on each pack of calcium supplements carefully. Ideally, you should take supplements at the same time every day.

Who should consume GNC calcium supplements?

Although people can get their daily dose of calcium through natural food sources, it is a good idea to include calcium supplements for additional nutritional support. You should consider making GNC calcium supplements a part of your health routine if –

• You follow a vegan diet
• You are someone who is lactose intolerant or has difficulty in lactose
• If you have diet restrictions and do not include calcium-rich foods in your daily diet
• If you have a high protein or high sodium diet which causes the body to excrete more calcium
• Have a chronic health condition that affects the body’s ability to absorb calcium
• You suffer from osteoporosis
• You are planning a baby or pregnant woman.
• You are entering the menopause period.

But always consult your doctor before consuming the supplement to avoid any toxicity.

Where to buy GNC calcium supplements?

If you are looking to buy genuine and authentic GNC calcium supplements, then visit www.guardian.in 

It is the one-stop solution for all your multivitamins and mineral supplements. GNC is a brand that has become synonymous with trust. When you buy directly from the website you get quality assurance. Read all the product information mentioned and also go through various customer ratings and reviews to ensure your shopping is totally worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Do I really need calcium supplements?

One of the most commonly asked questions is – do I really need calcium supplements? A lot of people believe that if they eat a healthy diet then they can skip calcium supplements. The kind of life that we lead today is so stressful that mineral and vitamin deficiency has become a common occurrence. If you want to take care of your health and overall wellbeing, then including supplements is a really good way. GNC Calcium supplements are formulated keeping in mind the varying needs of people. It is true that as your body ages, calcium needs to change and you cannot get the required dosage just through your daily diet. Some people have a restricted diet, some might have a chronic health problem, and some people have a hectic lifestyle to not get the time for proper meals, that’s why it is recommended to add calcium supplements in your routine. These supplements will reduce the chances of deficiencies.
 

Q. What is the daily requirement of calcium in men and women?

The recommended dosage of calcium is 1000 mg per day for adult men and women. For men above the age of 70 years and for women above the age of 50 years, the recommended dosage is 1200 mg.

Calcium supplements can help fill the gap between how much calcium you get in your diet and how much you need per day. You should stick to the dosage mentioned on the package of each supplement or what your doctor recommends to avoid any side effects.
 

Q. Are GNC calcium supplements safe to take every day?

Yes, it is completely safe to take GNC calcium supplements every day if you are doing so as per your doctor’s instructions. It is recommended that you read the dosage instructions mentioned on each pack of GNC calcium supplements to ensure you don’t consume excess amounts. GNC calcium tablets go through stringent quality checks to make sure you get maximum potency and best quality.
 

Q. Can I get calcium through natural food sources?

It is a good idea to include calcium-rich foods in your daily diet to get your daily dose of calcium. Some of the most popular foods that are rich in calcium are –

• Green leafy vegetables – kale
• Dairy products like cheese and milk
• Tofu
• Seeds – poppy, sesame, and chia
• Yoghurt
• Beans and lentils
• Dry fruits – almonds
• Figs

It is important to understand that even the best calcium supplements will not work magically overnight if you have a calcium deficiency. Ask your dietician to make a proper diet plan that has a balance of calcium-rich foods and the best suitable GNC calcium supplements for you to get the best results.
 

Q. What are some side effects of calcium supplements?

GNC Calcium supplements are 100% authentic and original. But before including any new supplements in your routine, you should always consult your doctor. Also before making the final purchase, make sure you go through the ingredient list carefully. There can be certain ingredients that you might be allergic to and can trigger an allergic reaction. In such a case, you can always ask your doctor to suggest an alternate supplement.

Some of the most common side effects of calcium supplements are –

• May increase the risk of heart diseases
• Digestive problems – bloating, gas, constipation
• Nausea and vomiting
• May increase the risk of kidney stones
• Can lead to high levels of calcium in your blood

It is common that these side effects will fade away in some days. But if these symptoms persist, you should stop taking these supplements and seek medical help immediately. Discontinue use 2 weeks prior to any surgery.

If you are pregnant, a lactating mother, or someone with a chronic medical condition, then make sure you are extra cautious and only take calcium supplements under the guidance of your doctor.