Both calcium and vitamin D offer a host of benefits for the body, including protecting bones and tissues, which help support the body and its vital movements. Calcium citrate, a form of absorbable calcium, is often the main calcium source used in supplements for those wanting to avoid or treat osteoporosis-related ailments which steal calcium from the bones. More often than not, supplements will contain calcium citrate with vitamin D to aid in absorption of calcium into the bloodstream and ultimately the bones themselves. As calcium cannot be absorbed properly without vitamin D, it is crucial that a body receive enough of this vitamin to aid in obtaining the optimum amount of calcium.
Calcium, an essential mineral, is widely accepted as a major component of fighting osteoporosis and promoting bone health by strengthening and providing density to the bones. Without calcium, and other essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin K and zinc, bones can become brittle and prone to fracture, something commonly seen in the elderly who have osteoporosis. Cases ranging from low to high severity are often treated with a calcium citrate supplement, a form of calcium shown to be bioavailable for the body. These supplements often contain calcium citrate with vitamin D, another important vitamin needed by the body, to help aid and promote the absorbability of calcium even further.
Vitamin D is often obtained from sunlight, as the rays of the sun convert cholesterol in the skin into vitamin D, an essential vitamin not supplied adequately through the diet alone. A vitamin D deficiency can often lead to rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults, serious bone diseases which affect the skeletal system and impair function. Vitamin D aids in helping the body absorb and assimilate calcium into the appropriate places in bone. Combining calcium citrate with vitamin D is often used by manufacturers because those who suffer from bone disease usually have a difficult time absorbing calcium in the first place.
Combining calcium citrate with vitamin D is not only ideal for most patients, it is also seen as the correct way to administer calcium to those suffering from osteoporosis or those with difficulties in absorbing calcium efficiently. Focusing on supplements that contain calcium citrate with vitamin D alone though may hinder one's ability to provide strong bones for the future, as other elements and nutrients are required to combat bone thinning and weakening. Many nutritionists or doctors also recommend a good diet or a multivitamin to ensure adequate intake of vitamin K and zinc. Overall health should be the ultimate goal for those seeking calcium and vitamin D supplementation, as it is a good first step toward achieving optimum bone function.
