Calcium supplements come in various forms, with calcium carbonate and calcium citrate being the most common. Other synthetic forms include gluconate, lactate, phosphate, malate, and ascorbate. Calcium carbonate is usually extracted from inorganic sources like limestone or marble. Calcium citrate can be found in very low concentrations in some fruits, but in supplements, it is synthetically made through a reaction of citric acid with calcium carbonate. The other forms mentioned are all also synthetic and generally produced through chemical reactions between a calcium source and an acid.

At Together Health, we source our calcium from calcified seaweed, specifically Lithothamnion calcareum. This is a unique source that naturally absorbs calcium and other essential minerals directly from seawater, integrating them into its cell walls. This leads to a mineral-rich structure, high in calcium as well as magnesium and other trace elements.

The calcium in seawater is predominantly in ionic form. Calcified seaweeds like Lithothamnion calcareum combine these calcium ions with carbonate ions naturally, forming calcium carbonate in their shells and skeletal structures.

Choosing plant-based calcium renders traditional comparisons between different calcium supplements largely redundant. In conventional supplements providing inorganic and synthetic calcium supplements, choosing the right form—be it carbonate, citrate or some other form—is essential as they show different characteristics and bioavailability. However, with natural forms, the issue of 'form' becomes far less significant. This is not to say that factors like bioavailability aren't crucial; rather, natural minerals have a more consistent bioavailability regardless of form due to their inherent complexity and natural design.

For example, our seaweed calcium carbonate is integrated into the very cells of the seaweed, bound to trace minerals in a unique cellular architecture distinct from non-plant sources like chalk or limestone. This natural complexity aids in the efficient absorption and utilisation of calcium in your body. Here, the way the calcium is presented to the body and with what co-factors is more important than the form and determines factors like bioavailability.

Because our supplement doesn't just contain calcium, but rather seaweed providing calcium, it also provides other naturally occurring minerals such as magnesium, strontium, and silica. These trace minerals not only contribute to the efficient absorption of calcium in your body but also work synergistically for overall bone health.

Our statements aren't merely anecdotal. Multiple scientific studies have corroborated the superior bioavailability and synergistic effects of calcium from natural sources over synthetic ones.