Calcium may have a number of health benefits beyond strengthening the skeleton.
Emerging evidence indicates that it may lower the risk of colon cancer, reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure, aid weight loss, and ease premenstrual symptoms.
Calcium pills are the fourth top-selling supplement-and the product choices are daunting.
To help shoppers choose, Consumer Reports (CR) tested 30 top-selling calcium supplements and also had them tested by independent labs.
All products tested contained the labeled amount of calcium and reasonably close to the labeled amount of vitamin D. The best values for calcium plus vitamin D are Kirkland Signature 500 mg Calcium Plus Vitamin D, available at Costco, and Walgreens Finest Natural Calcium 500+D.
For calcium alone, the best values are Nature Made Calcium 500 mg, and CVS Natural Oyster Shell Calcium 500 mg USP.
Commonly recommended doses of four products contained amounts of lead that exceeded a California standard designed to reduce lead in calcium supplements.
Three products did not dissolve in simulated stomach acid as fast as the U.S. Pharmacopeia says they should, raising concerns about their ability to be absorbed.
CR helps consumers decide whether they should take or avoid calcium supplements, and lists 10 calcium-rich foods-from a � cup of Tofu with 435 mg to a medium orange with 60 mg.