If we could only really fall back on time, like can someone turn back a few days, weeks, years? Calcium is one of those vitamins that has different absorption rate based on age. Is it to late to take calcium supplement? Your body needs the blood calcium level to be just right for functions like nerve transmission and hormonal secretion that it will “steal” calcium from your bone tissue.  While your blood work might show normal calcium level, the body might be using your bones and teeth has a reservoir.  What makes it worse is that there’s too much junk marked as calcium in the supplement world. Always read the labels. If the type of calcium you are taking is bicarbonate and oxalate, it’s junk (cheap with low absorption rate). Calcium supplements that did not adsorb in excess can cause constipation and can increase risk of kidney stones. Quality more than quantity matters when it comes to Calcium. Calcium carbonate, Calcium lactate and Calcium citrate have better absorption rate. Calcium is such a sensitive mineral; its absorption rate is affected by things like sodium, caffeine, protein intake, and even the amount you take. Split your dosages to help with absorption and add Vitamin D to help increase absorption. Calcium citrate and Calcium lactate has the highest absorption rate; worth paying extra. Calcium Carbonate is cheaper and needs stomach acids for absorption so take it with food. It’s not to too late to add the right type of supplement to your diet. Brittle bone is not an option and it’s so important to know your Calcium’s last name (the type of Calcium).

Recommended dietary allowances for Calcium:

Age 0-6 months: 200mg

Age 7-12 months: 260mg

Age 1-3 years: 700mg

Age 4-8: 1000mg

Age 9-18: 1300mg

Age 19-50: 1000mg

Age 51-70: 1000mg for males; 1200mg for females

Age 71+ years: 1200mg.

The next time you pick up a bottle of Calcium, you will be able to read the label and know exactly what you’re buying.