Many of the questions asked when a formulator is choosing a calcium source concern the concept of bioavailability. Studies of calcium bioavailability that meet rigorous experimental standards all tend to come to the same conclusions: 

• The body’s absorption of calcium is pretty much the same for most of today’s calcium sources.
• Calcium carbonate is one of the more bioavailable calcium compounds.
• Calcium carbonate is at least as bioavailable as milk calcium.
• Bioavailability is not related to water solubility. 

Specialty Minerals Inc. (SMI), a leading manufacturer of precipitated and ground calcium carbonates for food and nutrition, has published an information sheet summarizing some of these bioavailability studies. Click on this link to download a copy of this sheet:

The High Bioavailability of Calcium Carbonate

In addition to being highly bioavailable, calcium carbonate is the highest in elemental calcium content, at 40 percent; thus, less of it is required to supply the desired amount of elemental calcium. Calcium carbonate is also one of the most inexpensive calcium salts to purchase. Because together, these factors makes it the most economical calcium compound, calcium carbonate should be your source of calcium for food fortification and nutritional supplements.

Learn more:

• SMI minerals in food fortification uses
• SMI minerals in nutritional supplements
   
• SMI calcium carbonates for food, nutritional supplements, pharmaceuticals and personal care products
• Choosing the right grade of Specialty Minerals calcium carbonate for consumer products.
   
• Useful information for formulators:  Downloadable information sheets on formulating with calcium carbonate, the effect of particle size and shape in a product, high bioavailability of calcium carbonate, California Proposition 65 lead limits, and calcium carbonate lead levels.
• U.S. Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for Calcium
• Osteoporosis: Anyone Can Be At Risk – Even You! A downloadable information sheet
   
• Specialty Minerals minerals in consumer products: See the products you use every day—foods, nutritional supplements, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, toiletries, and other personal-care items—that use SMI talcs and calcium carbonates.
   
• About Specialty Minerals Inc.