Calcium Citrate
Calcium citrate from Greatlife is our finest calcium supplement. It's a high-quality, easily absorbed form of calcium that helps maintain normal bones and teeth. Calcium is essential for muscle function, energy metabolism, and nerve signalling. Calcium citrate is efficiently absorbed by the body, even with low stomach acid, making it an excellent choice for all ages. This supplement is pure and free from additives, toxins, and GMOs.
- Pure calcium citrate
- Helps maintain normal bones and teeth.
- Free from dairy, soy, sugar, gluten, and GMOs
- Free from artificial sweeteners, colourings, preservatives, hydrogenated oils, corn syrup, and magnesium stearate
- Dark glass jar free from BPA, phthalates, and other hormone-disrupting substances
- Manufactured under HACCP in the EU
- Suitable for vegans and vegetarians
- Fast delivery (2–4 days)
- Free shipping over €59
- In stock
Calcium Citrate
Calcium citrate from Greatlife is our top-quality calcium supplement. It’s a powerful formula that supports bone health, muscle function, and nerve signalling. Calcium is essential for maintaining a strong skeletal structure and healthy teeth, as well as for ensuring normal muscle function and neurotransmission. Calcium citrate offers high bioavailability and is efficiently absorbed even with low stomach acid, making it an excellent choice for individuals of all ages.
Biologically, calcium plays a key role in the body’s mineral balance, blood clotting, and cell division processes. It is required to maintain normal calcium levels in the blood and supports the function of digestive enzymes, contributing to a well-functioning metabolism.
Studies have shown that calcium citrate is one of the most easily absorbed forms of calcium, making it an ideal choice for those looking to support bone health, improve muscle performance, and promote nervous system function.
Why Choose Calcium Citrate?
Calcium citrate offers several advantages over other forms of calcium, such as calcium carbonate, calcium gluconate, calcium malate, and calcium glycinate:
Better Absorption
- Calcium citrate is absorbed more effectively than calcium carbonate, especially when stomach acid production is low.
- As it does not require stomach acid for dissolution, it can be taken with or without food.
Suitable for People with Low Stomach Acid
- Older adults and those with conditions such as gastritis, atrophic gastritis, or who are taking acid-suppressing medications (PPIs and H2 blockers) often have low stomach acid production, making calcium carbonate harder to absorb.
- Calcium citrate is more bioavailable for these groups.
Lower Risk of Constipation
- Calcium carbonate can cause constipation and bloating, whereas calcium citrate is generally gentler on the digestive system.
Reduced Risk of Kidney Stones
- Calcium carbonate can increase the risk of kidney stones in some individuals by raising calcium levels in the urine.
- Calcium citrate may help reduce this risk by binding oxalates in the gut, preventing the formation of calcium oxalate stones.
Greater Solubility
- Calcium citrate is more water-soluble than calcium carbonate, which may make it easier for the body to utilise.
- This also makes it suitable for people with malabsorption conditions, such as coeliac disease or Crohn’s disease.
No Impact on Stomach Acid Levels
- Calcium carbonate neutralises stomach acid and may negatively affect digestion with long-term use.
- Calcium citrate does not have this effect and does not impair digestion.
Compared to Calcium Malate and Calcium Glycinate
- Calcium citrate may be a better option than calcium malate and calcium glycinate for individuals with sensitive stomachs or digestive issues, as the citrate form is more soluble and easier to absorb without affecting stomach acid levels.
- Calcium malate and calcium glycinate may contain binders that can sometimes cause discomfort in those with sensitive stomachs or intestines.
Premium Quality Calcium
This supplement is free from dairy, soy, sugar, gluten, and GMOs, and contains no artificial sweeteners, colourings, preservatives, hydrogenated oils, corn syrup, or magnesium stearate. It comes in a dark glass jar free from BPA, phthalates, and other hormone-disrupting substances. Manufactured under HACCP standards in the EU, the product is suitable for vegetarians.
| Content per daily dose (3 capsules) | % of NRV | |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium (from calcium citrate) | 360 mg | 40 |
NRV = Nutrient Reference Value
* NRV not established
Other ingredients
Vegetable capsule (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose).
Directions for use
Take 1 capsule in the morning, 1 in the afternoon, and 1 in the evening daily, preferably with meals. If you have difficulty swallowing, the capsule can be opened and its contents sprinkled over food or into a drink to be consumed immediately.
Important information
Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Keep out of reach of children. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied diet. It is important to maintain a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, humidity, and heat sources. Consult your doctor before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a medical condition. Manufactured in the EU. Keep the container tightly closed.
What is calcium and why is it so important for the body?
Calcium is one of the body's most abundant minerals and plays a crucial role in a variety of biological processes. It is not only a building block for bones and teeth, but also necessary for muscle contraction, nerve signaling, blood coagulation, and enzyme activity. Approximately 99% of the body's calcium is found in the skeleton, where it serves as a mineral reservoir that the body can use to maintain proper calcium levels in the blood. If the diet does not provide enough calcium, the body will release calcium from the skeleton, which over time can contribute to osteoporosis.
What distinguishes calcium citrate from other forms of calcium?
Calcium citrate is a highly bioavailable and easily absorbable form of calcium, which means that the body can effectively absorb it even at lower levels of stomach acid. This makes calcium citrate a better choice than calcium carbonate for individuals with reduced stomach acid production (which becomes more common with age), or for those taking acid-reducing medications. Unlike some other forms of calcium, calcium citrate is also gentle on the stomach and rarely causes bloating or constipation.
What role does calcium play in bone and dental health?
Calcium is the dominant mineral in the skeleton, where it forms crystal structures together with phosphate in the form of hydroxyapatite. This structure gives the skeleton its hardness and stability. However, for the skeleton to remain strong, a balance between calcium and other nutrients is required, particularly vitamin D, vitamin K2, and magnesium. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium from the intestine, magnesium is required for the activation of vitamin D, and vitamin K2 ensures that calcium is transported to the right tissues, namely to bones and teeth, not to blood vessels or soft tissues.
Can you get too little calcium even if you eat healthily?
Yes, it is entirely possible. Calcium deficiency can occur with low intake of dairy products or green leafy vegetables (some vegetables rich in oxalic acid have low bioavailability of calcium and other minerals), with a vegan diet, with malabsorption conditions (such as celiac disease or IBS), or with long-term use of certain medications such as corticosteroids and proton pump inhibitors. Individuals with low vitamin D intake are also at risk of calcium deficiency as absorption is then impaired. Symptoms can be vague, such as muscle cramps, tingling in fingers, fatigue, or brittle nails, but in the long term, it can lead to decreased bone density and an increased risk of fractures.
What is the benefit of taking calcium in citrate form?
Calcium citrate is bound to citric acid, which makes it more soluble in water and easier for the body to absorb compared to calcium carbonate, which requires more stomach acid for optimal absorption. This means that calcium citrate can be taken both with and without food, although it is generally recommended to take it with a meal for the best absorption. It is also gentler on the digestive system, making it a good choice for individuals who experience stomach discomfort from other forms of calcium.
How do calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin K2 work together?
These four nutrients work closely together. Vitamin D increases the absorption of calcium, while magnesium is needed for vitamin D to be activated in the liver and kidneys. Vitamin K2 (especially in the form MK-7) ensures that calcium goes into the bones and is not stored in the blood vessels, which could otherwise increase the risk of calcification. Therefore, calcium supplements should always be combined with adequate levels of magnesium, vitamin D, and K2 to provide full benefits and avoid imbalance.
What does Calcium Citrate from Greatlife contain and how is it used?
Each daily dose of three capsules contains 360 mg of elemental calcium from calcium citrate, which corresponds to 40% of the daily reference intake (DRI).
How should Calcium Citrate be taken?
The recommended dosage is 1 capsule in the morning, 1 in the afternoon, and 1 in the evening, preferably with meals. Calcium is best absorbed when the intake is divided throughout the day, as the body absorbs less at a time with higher doses. If there are difficulties swallowing, the capsule can be opened and the contents mixed into food or drink that is consumed immediately.
Who benefits most from calcium citrate as a supplement?
Calcium citrate is particularly beneficial for women after menopause, individuals with low dietary calcium intake, older adults with impaired digestion, and anyone looking to support bone, teeth, and muscle function. It can also be valuable for individuals with milk allergies, lactose intolerance, or a vegan diet, where calcium intake is often lower.
Can you get too much calcium?
A normal supplement of calcium citrate is safe for healthy individuals, but excessive intake (over 2000–2500 mg per day for an extended period) can lead to elevated calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcemia). However, this is very rare and almost exclusively occurs when high doses of calcium are combined with high vitamin D intake without balancing with magnesium and K2. For optimal safety and effectiveness, it is always recommended to take calcium in combination with magnesium, D3, and K2 MK7.