PlainPill

Calcium vs Calcium Citrate

Short answer: Overall, Calcium Citrate gets more positive reports (60% vs 35%).

Calcium has 3,919 meta-analyses and 10,361 randomized trials on PubMed; Calcium Citrate has 8 and 89.

Based on 182 reports about Calcium and 17 about Calcium Citrate. Not medical advice.

Calcium
Supplement
Calcium Citrate
Supplement
Users say it helped35%helped47 reports · medium confidence60%helped5 reports · few reports
Verdict
Mixed
Mostly positive
ResearchAResearch: StrongAResearch: Strong
Meta-analyses / RCTs3,919 / 10,3618 / 89
Mainly used for
Sleep
% reporting improvement
83% (6)—
Anxiety
% reporting improvement
83% (6)—
Common side effectssoft tissue, constipation, chest pain, brain fogjoint pain, back pain
Typical dose reported200 mg / daily750 mg / daily
Calcium
Latest review conclusion

In this meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials, the use of supplements that included calcium, vitamin D, or both compared with placebo or no treatment was not associated with a lower risk of fractures among community-dwelling older adults. These findings do not support the routine use of these supplements in community-dwelling older people.

JAMA, 2017 ↗
What a user said
“Within a week after taking it consistently, I always feel noticeably calmer, get better sleep, better muscle recovery and have smoother more elastic skin.”
Full Calcium profile →
Calcium Citrate
Latest review conclusion

All patients, especially pregnant women, teenagers, and elderly patients require a multidisciplinary approach and specialised follow-up. These recommendations and suggestions regarding nutrition management when undergoing bariatric surgery and postoperative follow-up have direct clinical applicability.

Nutrients, 2020 ↗
What a user said
“500mg calcium citrate works for me. Carbonate and lactate gluconate give me GI troubles”
Full Calcium Citrate profile →

Related comparisons

Percentages come from first-hand user reports and are not clinical outcomes. Talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. How we rate