Calcium to fortify bones, help prevent osteoporosis and maintain bone mass, nothing new there.  What you probably don’t know are the effects of calcium on blood pressure, cholesterol, reduced risk of colon cancer and helps weight management.   Calcium is often overlooked and it is as important as your daily multivitamin.  Calcium with magnesium is one of the 4 things that cardiovascular surgeon Doctor Oz said you must start taking this year.

It is essential that you get enough and as I have said for years, I drink tons of milk, but I have started taking calcium magnesium supplements to be sure.  I would hate to find out that I was not getting enough calcium with all the benefits getting sufficient levels does for me.   1000mg per day for those under 50 and 1200 mg for those over  the age of 50 in a 3 to 2 ratio of magnesium.   (1000mg calcium about 600 to 700 mg of magnesium, 1200mg calcium with 800mg magnesium) .

There are different forms of calcium which are listed below for your reference from Healthnotes article "Boning Up on Calcium" dated May 27th, 2010, regardless of which form you take, it appears that the amount is more important than the form, so make sure you are getting enough calcium.

• Calcium citrate malate (CCM): This form is well absorbed by the body and may be more effective in keeping bones strong than some other forms.
• Calcium citrate: Not to be confused with CCM, this is the calcium salt of citric acid.
• Calcium carbonate: This form absorbs as well as the calcium in milk, it’s inexpensive, and also requires the fewest number of tablets to reach an appropriate level, which makes it a popular choice for many people. Calcium carbonate is the main ingredient of coral calcium supplements and also antacids, such as Tums®, which is why some people rely on those as a calcium supplement.
• Calcium amino acid chelates: These have not been well studied, though they appears to be well-absorbed by the body.
• Microcrystalline hydroxyapatite: This bonemeal variation has been shown to build bone mass in people with certain conditions.