Calcium hydroxyapatite is a highly absorbable form of calcium your body requires for bone density support and maintenance. Sixty percent of your bone weight is made from a mineral complex of calcium, phosphate, and hydroxy groups known as calcium hydroxyapatite. This ingredient would be a beneficial component of a bone health supplement.
Natural hydroxyapatite is usually extracted from biological sources or wastes such as bovine, camel, horse, or fish bone. It can also come from shells or mineral sources like limestone.
Calcium Hydroxyapatite vs. Calcium Citrate
♦ Calcium hydroxyapatite and calcium citrate are both forms of calcium supplements, but they have some key differences. Calcium hydroxyapatite is derived from natural sources. Calcium citrate, conversely, is a synthetic form of calcium derived from citric acid.
♦ Both have been shown to improve bone health, but calcium hydroxyapatite contains calcium and other minerals found in bones and teeth. It also may be more effective in helping to maintain healthy bone density because of its higher stability factor. Calcium citrate is more easily absorbed, but its supplements contain very little calcium for your bones and are more likely to cause an upset stomach.
Of course, it’s always important to talk to your doctor to decide which form of calcium is right for you.
Absorbable Calcium for Bone Health
The health of human bones depends on three essential factors. Osteoblasts are cells that make new bone, osteoclasts remove bones to distribute their minerals through the body as needed, and collagen forms the matrix around which bone can form.
Osteoblasts slow down with age, meaning the activities of osteoclasts occur more frequently than new bone can be formed, and bone density is affected. Collagen is affected by age, creating a matrix of interlocking chains. As the body ages, the integrity of these chains is altered.
Certain minerals are required from your diet to maintain a balanced function of the osteoclasts and osteoblasts and to supply the body with collagen. Calcium is an essential nutrient that supports this balance and promotes bone health. Calcium hydroxyapatite is a naturally-occurring form of calcium and is the substance on which bone cells build bone.
Bioavailability For Strong Bones
Your bones need calcium for proper growth and maintenance. Your bones remodel themselves throughout your life, but the process does slow with aging. A scientifically-formulated bone health supplement can help support bone density and strength at any age.
Healthy calcium levels are associated with healthy bone mineralization and strength. The structure of bone changes as a natural part of aging, leading to the loss of bone tissue. This can cause bones to weaken and can affect the quality of life.
Bones become less dense with age for a number of reasons, including hormonal changes, poor diet with decreased essential mineral intake, and an inactive lifestyle, so calcium hydroxyapatite is highly recommended for additional support.
The close likeness of calcium hydroxyapatite to the natural bone structure allows it to support and fortify your existing skeletal structure. Hydroxyapatite has good biocompatibility with muscles as well as bone, so it can help reduce occasional muscle discomfort from everyday exertion.
Partnership with Vitamin D3
Calcium hydroxyapatite is more readily absorbed as compared to other calcium supplements, but regulation of calcium in the body depends on more than just calcium. Vitamin D3 plays an integral role in maintaining calcium balance in the body.
Vitamin D3 helps promote calcium absorption and skeletal mineralization, and when paired with calcium hydroxyapatite, you can achieve optimal peak bone mass more than with calcium supplementation alone. The combination of 50 mcg of vitamin D3 and 325 mg calcium hydroxyapatite, as found in the OsteoMD® bone health supplement, work synergistically to enhance bone mineralization, which is linked to reduced risk of osteoporosis.
The hormone calcitriol also promotes calcium absorption, and vitamin D3 encourages production of this hormone. If calcium is unavailable through diet, your body will take it from other sources, namely your bones. Calcium that is stored in the bones is removed and used as needed, which can affect overall bone strength.
Bone structure changes with age naturally, so establishing a daily routine that includes nutrition, exercise, and stress management is the best way to reduce the risk of occasional bone problems and support overall wellbeing and mobility. Adding calcium hydroxyapatite will support the bone mineralization process to maintain bone health as you age.
How to Take Calcium Hydroxyapatite
Recommended Dosage
It is recommended to take no more than 1500 mg per day to support bone strength and health. Calcium hydroxyapatite is considered safe for human consumption but may cause occasional indigestion, gas, or bloating.
Is Calcium Hydroxyapatite Safe?
Calcium hydroxyapatite is generally considered safe when taken in recommended doses. However, as with any supplement, some risks may be associated with taking calcium hydroxyapatite, especially if taken in excessive amounts.
Potential Side Effects
High levels of calcium intake can lead to side effects such as mild constipation, occasional nausea, and stomach discomfort.
The Bottom Line
In combination with vitamin D3, calcium hydroxyapatite can support bone mineralization and your skeletal structure. Calcium hydroxyapatite is highly bioavailable and the form of calcium with a closer resemblance to natural bone compounds. Calcium hydroxyapatite is a naturally-derived way to promote healthy bone density and keep you on the path to healthy, strong bones.
