Calcium Supplements at Blooms The Chemist
Calcium is a mineral that is important for strong bones, as well as for keeping your nerves, muscles, and heart working well. Your body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium, so a good calcium intake may not be enough on its own if your vitamin D level is low.
Calcium supplements are available in a range of options, including calcium-only tablets and chewables, combinations with vitamin D3, and formulas that also include vitamin K2 or magnesium. Smaller film-coated tablets, children's chewables, and liquid formulations are also available.
How to choose a calcium supplement
- Start with your diet: It is much better to get calcium from foods than from supplements, but you might need to consider one if you have difficulty eating enough calcium-rich foods, especially if you are at risk of osteoporosis. Non-dairy sources include firm tofu, canned fish, leafy green vegetables, and tree nuts.
- Check your daily total: Recommended intake counts food and supplements together, at 1,000mg a day for women 19 to 50 and men 19 to 70, and 1,300mg a day above those ages.
- With or without vitamin D: Calcium supplements are often taken with vitamin D. Calcium-only tablets may suit you if you already take a separate vitamin D supplement, and a Blooms The Chemist Pharmacist can help you avoid doubling up.
- Life stage: Women lose more calcium from their bones in the 5 to 10 years around menopause, and both men and women lose bone mass and absorb less calcium as they grow older.
- Magnesium: Some formulas combine calcium with magnesium, so if you already take a magnesium supplement, it is worth checking the label before adding another.
Using calcium supplements safely
Always read the label and use only as directed, and do not take more than the amount recommended on the bottle. Too much calcium may cause gastrointestinal upsets such as bloating and constipation.
Calcium supplements can reduce the absorption of some medicines and supplements, including iron. You may need to take them at different times. Ask your pharmacist how long to leave between doses, as this depends on the medicine or supplement.
Osteoporosis has no symptoms until you break a bone, so see your doctor if you are worried about your bone health, and seek medical advice promptly after a fracture from a minor injury. A bone density test is recommended for everyone aged 70 and older. [Source: Healthdirect Australia]
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to take calcium with vitamin D?
Your body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium, and calcium supplements are often taken with vitamin D. Combination calcium and vitamin D3 tablets are available at Blooms The Chemist, as are calcium-only tablets if you already take vitamin D separately. A Blooms The Chemist Pharmacist can help check what you are already taking.
How much calcium should I take a day?
The recommended dietary intake is 1,000mg a day for women aged 19 to 50 and men aged 19 to 70, and 1,300mg a day for women 51 and over and men 71 and over, counting both food and supplements. [Source: Healthdirect Australia] Calcium supplements of 500 to 600mg a day can help reduce the risk of fractures in people who do not get enough calcium from their diet, so your supplement amount depends on how much you already get from food. [Source: Better Health Channel]
Are calcium supplements suitable for children?
Calcium supplements may be suitable for some children, and it is best to speak with your doctor or a Blooms The Chemist Pharmacist before giving a supplement to a child. Children's chewable tablets and a children's liquid are available, as are other children's vitamins. Children's calcium needs change with age: 500mg a day at 1 to 3 years, 700mg at 4 to 8 years, 1,000mg at 9 to 11 years and 1,300mg at 12 to 18 years. [Source: Healthdirect Australia]
Where can I buy calcium tablets in Australia?
Calcium supplements are available at your local Blooms The Chemist or online with delivery Australia-wide. Current prices are listed on each product page, and the pharmacy team in store can help you compare formats and strengths.