What is the difference between milk calcium and calcium carbonate?
When it comes to the selection of calcium supplement products, milk calcium and calcium carbonate are two common calcium sources, but there are significant differences in their sources, absorption rates and applicable groups. This article will combine the hot health topics on the Internet in the past 10 days, compare the differences between the two from multiple dimensions, and provide structured data for reference.
1. Comparison of basic concepts
| Comparative item | Milk calcium | calcium carbonate |
|---|---|---|
| chemical name | Milk mineral salts (containing calcium phosphate, calcium citrate, etc.) | Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) |
| source | milk extraction | Ore or shell processing |
| Calcium content | About 23-28% | about 40% |
2. Comparison of absorption rate and side effects
| project | Milk calcium | calcium carbonate |
|---|---|---|
| Absorption rate | 60-70% (due to vitamin D and lactose) | 30-40% (needs gastric acid participation) |
| Gastrointestinal irritation | Almost no irritation | May cause constipation and bloating |
| Applicable people | Infants, pregnant women, the elderly | Adults with normal gastric acid secretion |
3. Recent hot topics of discussion
1.Controversy over calcium supplementation for infants and young children: There have been 12,000 notes on the Xiaohongshu platform in the past seven days discussing "whether milk calcium is suitable for newborns." Experts recommend that children under 2 years old give priority to milk calcium.
2.Calcium carbonate price/performance ratio: The Weibo topic #calciumsupplementassassin# pointed out that although the unit price of some calcium carbonate products is low, the actual absorption cost may be higher than that of lactose calcium.
3.Vegetarian options: Tests by Douyin health bloggers show that the absorption efficiency of milk calcium is 43% higher than that of plant calcium, but strict vegetarians need to pay attention to the source of milk.
4. Suggestions on purchasing
| scene | Recommended calcium sources | recommended daily amount |
|---|---|---|
| Infants and toddlers aged 0-3 years old | Milk calcium + vitamin D3 | 200-500mg |
| Pregnancy/lactation period | Milk calcium or calcium citrate | 1000-1200mg |
| Calcium supplementation for middle-aged and elderly people | Calcium carbonate (take after meals) | 800-1000mg |
5. Special precautions
1. Calcium carbonate needs to be taken with meals, while milk calcium is better absorbed on an empty stomach;
2. People with renal insufficiency should avoid large doses of calcium carbonate;
3. Milk calcium may contain trace amounts of lactose, and those with lactose intolerance need to choose the purified version;
4. Neither should be taken at the same time as iron supplements, and the interval should be at least 2 hours.
According to the latest "2024 National Calcium Supplementation Guidelines" released by Dr. Dingxiang, only 32.7% of Chinese residents' calcium intake meets the standard. Reasonable selection of calcium sources is crucial to bone health. It is recommended that consumers make choices based on their own digestive capacity and life stage, and consult a nutritionist to formulate a personalized plan if necessary.
check the details
check the details
en
