What Is Calcium Orotate?
Calcium orotate is a compound where a calcium molecule is bonded to two molecules of orotic acid. The orotic acid protects the calcium from stomach acid, allowing the compound to stay intact until it reaches the intestines. Once in the gut, the calcium is absorbed into the bloodstream and delivered to areas where it’s most needed, like the bones and other tissues. This form of calcium boasts an impressive absorption rate of 90 to 95 percent.
What Does Calcium Do In the Body?
Calcium is crucial not just for healthy hair, nails, and teeth, but also for heart health and basic metabolic processes. Its importance goes beyond merely preventing weak bones. Calcium plays a vital role in various bodily functions, including cellular metabolism. However, as of 2006, only about 32 percent of Americans were meeting the necessary calcium levels for proper bodily functions.
Calcium is essential at all stages of life, from youngsters to the elderly who are at risk of osteoporosis. A calcium deficiency can prompt the body to extract calcium from bones to support metabolic processes. Optimal calcium absorption also requires vitamin D and magnesium.
Is Calcium Orotate the Best Form of Calcium?
Calcium orotate is known to be the most highly absorbable and effective calcium supplement, particularly for improving bone health and addressing bone conditions. It helps to restore normal mineral concentrations in bones, cartilage, and teeth. Below, we compare calcium orotate to other common forms of calcium and highlight its specific health benefits.
Calcium Orotate vs. Calcium Carbonate
Calcium carbonate is the most common calcium supplement available today but is analogous to chalk. The stomach can’t break down calcium carbonate effectively without food because there isn’t enough stomach acid to digest it. Some healthcare providers have even found undigested calcium carbonate tablets lodged in the intestines. The absorption rate of calcium carbonate averages around 31 percent but can be even lower when not taken with food. In contrast, calcium orotate provides a much better option due to its higher absorption rate.
Calcium Orotate vs. Calcium Citrate
Calcium citrate is more commonly absorbed than calcium carbonate and can be taken without food, as stomach acid can separate the calcium from the citrate molecule. However, calcium citrate only offers an absorption rate of around 39 percent. Calcium orotate, with an absorption rate of 90 to 95 percent, effectively penetrates cell membranes to deliver calcium directly to the mitochondria and nucleus of cells.
Calcium Orotate vs. Calcium Acetate
Calcium acetate is usually used as a medication for kidney patients to lower high phosphorus levels. For patients with chronic kidney disease, calcium acetate has been found more effective than calcium carbonate at lowering blood serum phosphorus levels during dialysis. However, no studies have directly compared calcium orotate with calcium acetate for treating chronic kidney conditions.
Calcium Orotate vs. Calcium Aspartate
Calcium aspartate is more absorbable than calcium carbonate and calcium citrate, but not as much as calcium orotate. Like calcium orotate, it resists stomach acid, allowing it to survive intact and transport calcium to bone tissues effectively. However, its absorption rate is only around 45 percent compared to calcium orotate’s 90 to 95 percent.
Calcium Orotate vs. Other Forms of Calcium
Less commonly sold forms of calcium, like calcium 2-AEP (aminoethyl-phosphate), are specifically beneficial for nerve and nervous system support, according to research by Dr. Hans Nieper. For bone health and general use, calcium orotate is recommended. Another form, calcium hydroxyapatite, coming from cow bone, is not recommended due to its animal source. Prefer vegan, plant-sourced alternatives like calcium orotate.
Benefits of Calcium Orotate
While calcium is widely known for supporting bone health, it also plays a significant role in mental health and metabolism. Given its high bioavailability, calcium orotate is the best way to maximize these health benefits.
Promotes Strong Bones
Calcium supplements are known to prevent bone loss and osteoporosis. Studies by Hans A. Nieper showed that calcium orotate provided the bones with more usable calcium per milligram consumed compared to other forms.
May Assist With Weight Control
Calcium orotate can also help reduce food cravings. Nieper’s studies indicated that supplementing the diets of chronic overeaters with calcium orotate significantly reduced their cravings. Other studies have linked calcium supplementation with lower weight gain over time.
Enhances Mood
Calcium orotate has been associated with mood enhancement and cognitive improvement. Calcium is involved in hormone signaling; having adequate amounts helps maintain hormonal balance, supporting your mood.
Protects the Heart
Calcium aids cardiac muscles and helps the nervous system maintain optimal blood pressure levels. It decreases the amount of fat absorbed in the intestines, lowering blood cholesterol and consequently reducing cardiovascular risks. However, studies on calcium’s impact on heart health are mixed, with some showing beneficial effects, others showing no effect, and a few suggesting high calcium intake may increase heart disease risk.
Normalizes Premenstrual Symptoms
Adequate calcium levels can prevent the release of hormones associated with premenstrual mood disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and irritability. For female athletes or those who have ceased regular menstrual periods due to extreme thinness, calcium supplementation helps prevent bone loss or stress fractures.
Calcium Orotate Safety Considerations
Excess calcium supplementation has been linked to cardiovascular disease in some studies, though findings are inconsistent. Some research showed a positive effect on heart health, others found no impact, and a few suggested that taking over 1,000 mg/day of calcium increases heart disease risk, especially in men.
Taking too much calcium from supplements (as opposed to dietary sources) can lead to hypercalcemia, evidenced by excess calcium in the blood. It’s important to get calcium primarily from your diet and avoid surpassing recommended doses, as excessive intake over time has been linked to a higher risk of kidney stones.
Common side effects of calcium supplements include mild stomach discomfort or occasional constipation, which can be alleviated by taking the supplement with food and maintaining a high-fiber diet. Less common side effects include nausea, vomiting, headache, fatigue, unexpected weight loss, or mood changes. If you experience these symptoms, consult your healthcare provider.
Best Calcium Orotate Supplement
For optimal bone, brain, and metabolic support, consider a high-quality calcium orotate supplement that is vegan and GMO-free. Look for products containing both calcium orotate and magnesium orotate, such as IntraCal, as magnesium enhances calcium’s bioavailability.
How Much Calcium Do You Need?
The key is to take the right amount of calcium—enough to reap the health benefits but not too much to avoid potential risks. The Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies has established Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for calcium:
Children and Adolescents:
– 0-6 months: 200 mg
– 7-12 months: 260 mg
– 1-3 years: 700 mg
– 4-8 years: 1,000 mg
– 9-18 years: 1,300 mg
Adults:
– 19-50 years: 1,000 mg
– 51-70 years: Males, 1,000 mg; Females, 1,200 mg
– 71+ years: 1,200 mg
During pregnancy, women need increased calcium to support both the mother and developing baby. The maximum dose of elemental calcium at a time is 500 mg due to absorption efficiency limits, but your daily intake can exceed 500 mg by dividing the doses throughout the day.
Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) for Calcium
– 0-6 months: 1,000 mg
– 7-12 months: 1,500 mg
– 1-8 years: 2,500 mg
– 9-18 years: 3,000 mg
– 19-50 years: 2,500 mg
– 51+ years: 2,000 mg
These values guide how much calcium can be safely consumed daily. Note that supplement labels list “elemental calcium,” indicating only the calcium content without the weight of the carrier molecule. For instance, if calcium orotate has 90 mg of elemental calcium out of a 790 mg compound, that’s 9 percent of your daily value based on a 1,000 mg daily recommendation.
Points to Remember
Calcium orotate has the highest bioavailability among calcium supplements, with absorption rates of 90 to 95 percent, significantly outperforming other forms like calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. Dr. Hans Nieper’s research indicates that the orotate molecule efficiently delivers calcium through cell membranes, making it the most effective way to use this essential mineral.
Remember, getting most of your calcium from your diet is ideal, and supplementation should be approached with the right knowledge and caution.
