Top 10 Calcium Supplements Reviewed – Best of 2016

Last Updated: Monday, September 26, 2016

Looking for a Calcium Supplement?

Calcium is an essential mineral which plays a number of crucial roles throughout the human body, not least in the formation and maintenance of bones, tendons, and ligaments.

In addition to this calcium contributes to the fat loss process, as well as assisting hormonal and enzymatic functions, and the recuperation of muscle tissue after bouts of intense exercise.

With all of the different roles that calcium plays in the body it should quickly be apparent why adding a calcium supplement to your diet may be exactly what you need to enhance your health and improve your performance both in and out of the gym.

How Much Calcium Do You Need?

Speaking with your doctor is the best way to determine how much calcium you should be getting per day. Along with that info, they can inform you on whether or not you should add a calcium supplement to your diet or stick strictly to natural sources.

That being said, there are some general recommendations put online for the recommended calcium amount for men and women. Your calcium needs are dependent on your age and sex.

Daily calcium requirements for men

Age 70 & younger: 1000mg

Age 71 & older: 1200mg

Daily calcium requirements for women

Age 50 & younger: 1000mg

Age 51 & older: 1200mg

source

Natural Sources of Calcium

While taking a calcium supplement is a great way to meet your daily requirements, it isn’t the only way. In fact getting calcium from the natural food sources below should be your first priority before adding a supplement:

• Cheese
• Egg Yolks
• Beef Liver
• Dairy Products
• Orange Juice
• Certain cereals
• Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna)

How to Choose a Good Calcium Supplement

There are a wide range of calcium supplements available on the market ranging in both type and quality, so we have compiled a list of the top 10 best calcium pills so that you can more easily determine which product will be the best choice for you and your personal requirements.

These calcium supplement rankings have been put together using criteria such as the popularity of each product, feedback received from users, the choice of ingredients used in each formulation, and of course, value for money to ensure your cash is well spent.

10 Best Calcium Supplements for 2016

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#10 – Schiff Super Calcium Carbonate 1200 mg with Vitamin D3 800 IU

The combining of calcium with Vitamin D is a fairly common practice these days because of the latter’s ability to enhance the absorption of calcium, so it is good to see this being implemented in Schiff Super Calcium Carbonate 1200 mg with Vitamin D3 800 IU. — Lowest Price We Found

• Provides 1200 mg of calcium per serving
• Provides 800 IU of Vitamin D per serving
• Available in bottles containing 60 servings for a two month supply
• Vitamin D is added to enhance the absorption of calcium

It is worth noting that 1200 mg of calcium is a relatively high dose to take on a consistent basis, especially when used in combination with Vitamin D, so you could stretch this supplement even further by taking a half dose on occasion.

Ingredients

Ingredients

$13.21

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#9 – Nature Made Calcium Adult Gummies Assorted

If you are already taking a number of different supplements then you may be growing tired of popping handfuls of pills every single day, so if this sounds like you then you might want to consider checking out Nature Made Calcium Adult Gummies Assorted. — Lowest Price We Found

• Obtain your calcium in a tasty candy form
• Provides 500 mg of calcium per serving
• Calcium is provided in the form of tricalcium phosphate
• Contains 700 IU of Vitamin D per serving to enhance calcium absorption
• Each bottle includes cherry, orange, and strawberry flavours

Nature Made Calcium Adult Gummies Assorted is a great idea for a product, especially for those of you who want to use a top calcium supplement but would rather not have to swallow oversized chalky tablets all the time.

Ingredients

Ingredients

$19.50

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#8 – Bayer Citracal Calcium Citrate Plus D3 Maximum

Bayer Citracal Calcium Citrate Plus D3 Maximum is a very simple, no-nonsense calcium supplement that uses a basic formula combining calcium with Vitamin D to provide the maximum rate of calcium absorption and bioavailability. — Lowest Price We Found

• Provides 630 mg of elemental calcium per serving
• Provides 500 IU of Vitamin D per serving
• Available in bottles containing 140 servings

As with most of the supplements we are looking at in this top 10 list of the best calcium pills, Bayer Citracal Calcium Citrate Plus D3 Maximum users Vitamin D3 specifically for its superior bioavailability and compatibility with the human body.

Ingredients

Ingredients

$24.93

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#7 – Citracal Plus Bone Density Builder Calcium and Vitamin D

If you are looking for a calcium supplement that can provide a little more above and beyond the standard calcium and Vitamin D formula then you might want to consider checking out Citracal Plus Bone Density Builder Calcium and Vitamin D. — Lowest Price We Found

• Contains 600 mg of elemental calcium per serving
• Includes 400 IU of Vitamin D per serving
• Also includes zinc, copper, manganese, and other essential minerals
• Contains the soy isoflavone genistein
• Available in bottles containing 60 servings

Those of you already using a multimineral supplement may not need to invest in a product like this which contains extra minerals, but if you aren’t then it could provide a lot of added benefits in the long running.

Ingredients

Ingredients

$74.95

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#6 – Nature’s Bounty Calcium 1200 Mg. Plus Vitamin D3

Nature’s Bounty is a highly reputed manufacturer of dietary supplements so it should come as no surprise that its Calcium 1200 Mg. Plus Vitamin D3 supplement features at a highly respectable sixth position in our 2016 calcium supplement rankings. — Lowest Price We Found

• Provides 1200 mg of calcium carbonate per serving
• Contains 1000 IU of Vitamin D per serving
• Available in bottles containing 100 servings
• Vitamin D3 is used for optimal absorption and bioavailability

Calcium 1200mg Plus Vitamin D3 by Nature’s Bounty provides a high dose of calcium and a high dose of Vitamin D, removing the need for a stand-alone Vitamin D supplement unless you are insistent upon using a particularly high dosage.

Ingredients

Ingredients

$8.43

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#5 – Os-Cal Chewable Calcium 500 + 600iu D3

Os-Cal Chewable Calcium 500 + 600iu D3 is another excellent calcium supplement which provides a fairly high dose of Vitamin D in addition to a decent amount of calcium, plus you will enjoy the added benefit of a tasty chewable tablet. — Lowest Price We Found

• Source your calcium in a tasty chewable form
• Provides 500 mg of calcium per tablet
• Provides 600 IU of Vitamin D per tablet
• Available in bottles containing 120 chewable tablets
• Tablets are flavoured with a Light Lemon Chiffon flavouring

This calcium supplement is another great choice for those of you who would rather not have to swallow chunky pills, except this time you’ll have the peace of mind that you are using a higher and arguably more optimal dose.

Ingredients

Ingredients

$34.39

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#4 – Kirkland Signature Calcium 600mg + D3

Kirkland Signature Calcium 600mg + D3 is definitely one of the more cost-effective calcium supplements on the market, providing a massive 500 tablets in each bottle. — Lowest Price We Found

• Provides 600 mg of calcium per serving
• Contains 400 IU of Vitamin D per serving
• Available in bottles containing 500 servings

If you are operating on a particularly tight budget then Kirkland Signature Calcium 600mg + D3 is almost certainly going to be the one for you.

Ingredients

Ingredients

$11.24

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#3 – Citracal with Calcium D Slow Release

Citracal with Calcium D Slow Release features an intelligent slow release formula that provides a sustained release of calcium into your system, providing plenty of time for your body to absorb as much as possible. — Lowest Price We Found

• Slow release formula ensures optimal rates of absorption
• Provides 1200 mg of elemental calcium per serving
• Provides 1000 IU of Vitamin D per serving
• Contains 80 mg of magnesium per serving
• Includes 5 mg of sodium per serving
• Available in bottles containing 40 servings

Rest assured that this product is a great calcium supplement that features additional minerals to provide your body with added benefits and ensure your bones stay super strong.

Ingredients

Ingredients

$9.78

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#2 – Nature Made Calcium 600 Mg, with Vitamin D3

Nature Made Calcium 600 Mg, with Vitamin D3 is another budget calcium supplement which definitely doesn’t skimp on quality, offering a decent dose of both calcium and Vitamin D in each tablet. — Lowest Price We Found

• Provides 600 mg of calcium per tablet
• Contains a 400 IU of Vitamin D per serving
• Available in bottles containing 220 servings
• Provides excellent value for money

Although Nature Made Calcium 600 Mg, with Vitamin D3 has received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from users around the world, it is still falls to #2 when compared to this year’s top calcium supplement.

Ingredients

Ingredients

$10.08

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#1 – Caltrate 600+D3

Delivering the goods in terms of quality, quantity, variety, and overall value for money is the winner of our 2016 best calcium supplement award: Caltrate 600+D — Lowest Price We Found

• Provides 600 mg of calcium per tablet
• Includes 800 IU of Vitamin D per tablet
• Available in bottles containing 50, 60, 120, and 200 tablets
• Also available as Gummy Bites or Soft Chews
• Soft chews are available in Chocolate Truffle and Vanilla Creme flavours

Caltrate 600+D can be both practical and delicious at the same time without breaking the bank, and the particularly large dosage of Vitamin D makes it an excellent way of also bolstering your immune system and staying healthy throughout the year.

Ingredients

Ingredients

$14.89

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Wrapping Things Up

So we can see that there is some of variety in calcium supplements in terms of the dosages used. There is, however, a common theme of calcium being combined with Vitamin D in order to ensure optimal rates of absorption and bioavailability.

If you are uncertain because this is the first time you are using a calcium supplement then your best bet would be to go with one of our top calcium products like Nature Made Calcium 600 Mg, with Vitamin D3 or Caltrate 600+D.

The post Top 10 Calcium Supplements Reviewed – Best of 2016 appeared first on Supplement Hound - Supplement Reviews for 2016.

from Supplement Hound – Supplement Reviews for 2016 http://supplementhound.com/best-calcium-products/

Best Supplements for Runners – Endurance, Energy & Recovery Products

Last Updated: Monday, September 26, 2016

Supplements & Running

At some point in time, most runners learn the importance of nutrition. It often happens after a long weekend of splurging on foods that contain more fat than healthy nutrients. Lethargic and bloated, they head out for a run only to discover that they don’t have the energy or mental focus for a productive training session. Disappointed in their performance, they get back to healthy eating and perhaps add a supplement or two to their daily regime.

It isn’t necessary to go through that learning process to understand the importance of providing balanced nutrition to an athlete’s body. In order to create the energy, stamina and mental focus that a runner needs for athletic performance, a consistent and adequate supply of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients is required. Without proper nutrition, even the most talented runners will struggle to improve their performance and reach athletic goals.

The Need For Balanced Nutrition

Unfortunately, most runners cannot consume a perfectly balanced diet every day. Even those who place significant emphasis on feeding their bodies nutritious meals and snacks can suffer from nutritional deficiencies. In many cases, runners don’t even realize that they suffer from these deficiencies or that nutritional supplements could significantly improve their performance.

Nutritional deficiencies are important because they hold runners back from beating their personal bests and smashing their competitor’s bests. That is why most runners take at least one supplement. Some supplements are intended to meet basic nutritional needs of the human body while others are intended to improve some aspect of physical performance. In most cases, runners benefit from taking a combination of basic nutritional supplements and performance-enhancing supplements.

How Can Supplements Help

There are some healthy, natural supplements that can help runners feel and look their best during training and on race day. These supplements are taken consistently over time and work best when they are combined with nutritional supplements and a well-balanced diet rich in whole, natural foods. Following are 10 of the best supplements for runners, including nutritional and performance-enhancing options.

Top 10 Supplements for Running

10. Multivitamin

A multivitamin is a pill or gummy that contains a mix of basic vitamins and minerals needed for overall health and wellness. These supplements are not specific to the needs of runners, but they are essential for anyone suffering from nutritional deficits. They are designed to cover inadequacies in a person’s diet, reducing the chances that a nutritional deficiency will occur.

How It Works:

When runners take a multivitamin on a daily basis, they receive a supplemental supply of vitamins and minerals each day. When their daily diet fails to meet some nutritional need of the body, the supplement provides what is needed to sustain energy and efficient functioning.

How to Take It:

Runners should select a high-quality multivitamin designed for people with active lifestyles. The best supplements provide at or close to 100% of the daily recommended value for most included vitamins and minerals. Follow package instructions for dosage requirements.

Recommended Multivitamin Brand

Buy Opti-Men – $14.29 Buy Opti-Women – $8.96

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Top 10 Multivitamins for Women

9. Fish Oil/Omega 3

Fish oil contains two forms of healthy fat that are essential to human health, EPA and DHA. According to the University of Maryland’s Medical Center, there are many benefits to consuming omega-3 fatty acids, ranging from reduced inflammation and enhanced brain function to reduced chance of developing heart disease, cancer and other life-threatening health conditions.

How It Works:

The human body cannot naturally create omega-3 fatty acids, so humans must keep their stores high through diet and supplementation. These fats are digested and spread throughout the body to assist cells as needed.

How to Take It:

Runners should try to consume as much omega-3 fatty acids as possible through their daily diets. The American Heart Association recommendation for omega-3 consumption is currently two 3.5 ounce servings of fatty fish per week. This is a minimum recommendation, and runners may benefit from consuming fish three times per week or consuming a high-quality fish oil supplement daily.

Recommended Fish Oil

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8. Calcium

Calcium is a chemical element that all living creatures need to remain strong and mobile. This is an essential nutrient that helps muscles function properly without injury and keeps bone strong and resistant to fractures and breaks. It also helps nerve functioning as messages are passed between the brain and the rest of the body.

How It Works:

Runners put their bodies through incredible stress when training to improve personal bests or prepare for races. Calcium-rich foods and supplements ensure that the bones and muscles remain strong and functional, reducing the risk of stress fracture and other injuries common to runners.

How to Take It:

Runners should consume a 1,000 mg calcium supplement daily with food. The best results come from taking 500 mg twice daily. Runners over the age of 50 may need to take 1,200 mg to compensate for the natural weakening of bones that comes with age.

Recommended Calcium

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Top 10 Calcium Supplements

7. Co Enzyme Q10

According to Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D., CoQ10 is an antioxidant found readily in the heart muscles and throughout the human body. It is essential to the production of energy within cells and is believed to keep the heart and other vital organs fully functional and healthy.

How It Works:

The benefits connected to CoQ10 likely come from the antioxidant’s ability to generate energy for human cells and its critical role in proper oxygen utilization throughout the body. The more energy required by an organ, the more CoQ10 found naturally in cells making up the organ. Runners consume this supplement to promote heart health, keep their bodies energetic and protect their overall health and well being.

How to Take It:

The best CoQ10 supplements are in ubiquinol form and offer at least 90 mg per serving. Runners should take one dose daily unless otherwise directed by a doctor.

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6. Vitamin B

There are eight B vitamins, and they are all essential to overall health and athletic performance. Though each of these vitamins have their own benefits for athletes, as a group, they are important for the healthy breakdown of food and overall health of the hair, eyes, skin and liver.

How It Works:

When the body has adequate amounts of all B vitamins, it will efficiently turn carbohydrates into glucose to increase and sustain energy levels. These vitamins also help improve breakdown of protein, and runners depend on healthy protein absorption in order to support their muscles and joints.

How to Take It:

Many runners who consume a balanced diet and take a multivitamin will maintain a healthy balance of all B vitamins in their system. Those concerned about deficiencies for specific B vitamins can take daily supplements to ensure adequate consumption.

Recommended Vitamin B

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5. Conjugated Linoleic Acid

CLA is a variation of the omega-6 fatty acid known as linoleic acid. It is consumed naturally through meats and dairy products, so vegetarian and vegan runners are at heightened risk of suffering from CLA deficiency. Many athletes and bodybuilders take daily CLA supplements because it is believed to help with fat burning and muscle building.

How It Works:

According to Dr. Oz, CLA is a leading natural fat burner because it helps stop the growth of fat cells and increases the rate of fat burning when adequate amounts are consumed consistently. While scientists are not certain why this healthy trans fat helps the body burn fat quickly, it has become a leading supplement for runners interested in maintaining a healthy body weight.

How to Take It:

Runners should take a 1-ounce CLA supplement three times a day with food for best results. Consumption of grass-fed beef and eggs is also recommended.

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4. Whey Protein

Whey is a liquid substance that is created naturally through the cheese-making process. The unprocessed liquid is known as whey concentrate and is rich in protein as well as lactose. The concentrate is further processed to isolate the protein, creating whey protein isolate. Many runners use whey protein supplements as after-workout boosts to help with protein synthesis.

How It Works:

Whey protein is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed to muscles, so it is considered the best supplement for tired muscles. When consumed on a routine basis, these supplements can increase overall protein consumption to help with lean muscle growth and enhanced muscle strengthening. It can also help muscles recover from the stress of intense workouts, including long runs.

How to Take It:

Most runners consume why protein shakes, but there are also some protein pills now on the market. Some runners also enjoy baking or cooking with whey protein powder.

Recommended Whey Protein

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3. L-Carnitine

L-carnitine is a natural substance essential to the processing of fat into energy to sustain bodily activities. According to the Medical Center at the University of Maryland, there is scientific evidence that l-carnitine supplements are useful in the treatment of various heart conditions and hardening of arteries throughout the body. Many runners supplement with l-carnitine because it is believed to help with physical performance and may help with weight loss.

How It Works:

The human body creates this substance in the liver and kidneys by synthesizing two amino acids, lysine and methionine. The substance is then transported throughout the body to energize and support cells. Adequate consumption of essential amino acids is typically enough to ensure the body creates and distributes enough l-carnitine.

How to Take It:

Runners may take up to 4 grams of l-carnitine daily to help maintain a healthy body weight and build lean muscle.

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2. Caffeine

Caffeine is a natural stimulant obtained primarily from cocoa beans, tea leaves and coffee beans. This is one of the most common supplements taken by runners interested in improving their performance during training sessions and races. Not only does it provide energy for all cells throughout the body, but it helps with mental focus as well.

How It Works:

Caffeine works by stimulating the central nervous system, giving the human body a quick jolt of energy that helps runners push through aggressive training sessions.

How to Take It:

Runners can take caffeine pills according to package instructions or use energy drinks, coffee, tea and powdered water enhancements prior to intense workouts. There are many different products on the market to help runners supplement with caffeine when it is needed during long races or training runs.

Recommended Caffeine Product

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1. Creatine

Creatine is produced in the body through the metabolism of protein. It is distributed throughout the body to energize cells and help muscles perform efficiently. Men’s Health Magazine identifies creatine as a great supplement for runners and other athletes interested in gaining lean muscle mass and sustaining healthy, strong muscles.

How It Works:

The more energy a runner has, the harder they can push their bodies during training sessions or races. The harder the body is pushed, the faster the runner will progress toward better race times and other physical fitness goals. Runners may also use creatine supplements before weightlifting workouts if they are interested in building lean muscle mass and improving overall strength.

How to Take It:

Creatine is typically purchased in powder form and mixed with water prior to workouts where increased energy is desired. Some protein powders also contain added creatine and make excellent pre-workout shakes.

Recommended Creatine Product

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Wrapping Up

Each runner has different nutritional and performance needs and will require a different combination of supplements. Those uncertain about their needs should keep a food log for at least a week or two. This will reveal potential nutrient deficiencies. Runners should also consider their lifestyle, since vegetarians or vegans may have different nutritional deficiencies than those who eat meat.

All runners can benefit from some performance-enhancing supplements, but these are best chosen according to each runner’s needs. Someone trying to gain lean muscle mass may choose different supplements than a runner primarily interested in improving running time without concern for muscle mass.

When selecting supplements, quality is critically important. The best supplements for runners will include the right quantity of essential ingredients without unnecessary filler ingredients. The way that some supplements are processed is also important, since some vitamins, minerals and enzymes are lost when processed excessively or at high temperatures.

The post Best Supplements for Runners – Endurance, Energy & Recovery Products appeared first on Supplement Hound - Supplement Reviews for 2016.

from Supplement Hound – Supplement Reviews for 2016 http://supplementhound.com/supplements-for-runners/