The only way many of us are going to be sure we are getting enough calcium is going to be through supplements. There are numerous choices: How do you know which one is the right one to choose?

First, it is important to know that you can’t buy pure calcium (complex chemistry reasons). Calcium is always combined with other elements. For example, calcium carbonate is calcium combined with oxygen and carbon. Your body breaks down this combination and absorbs the calcium.

This means you must read your calcium supplement labels carefully. Check to be sure you are being told how much elemental calcium you are getting; this will be listed on the label simply as ‘calcium’. If your label lists the calcium combination, realize that is not the amount of calcium you are getting.

The following are the most common calcium combinations found in supplements.

1. Calcium carbonate: This combination contains the highest percentage of elemental calcium (40%). One draw back is it dissolves slowly and therefore you may not get the full benefit from this type of calcium. Look for a calcium product that combines this calcium combination with calcium citrate for a ‘best of both worlds’ product.

2. Calcium phosphate: This form of calcium contains 39% elemental calcium, however, most experts agree that you do not need the phosphorus that comes with this type –skip this one.

3. Calcium citrate: The down side of this type of calcium is it is only 21% elemental calcium and is expensive, however, it dissolves easily in the stomach even if you don’t have much stomach acid. Try a product with this type of calcium and calcium carbonate for a winning combination.

4. Calcium Lactate: This is a type of calcium found in many generic calcium supplements and it dissolves easily even with little stomach acid. The drawback is that it contains only 13% elemental calcium.

5. Calcium gluconate: This type of calcium is also found in many generic brands and is not expensive. Big drawback; it has only 9% elemental calcium. Simply, this is not a good choice.