Calcium is absorbed best by the body when it is taken several times a day in amounts of 500 mg or less.

Purity: This may be a problem with non brand name calcium. One should look for labels that state "purified" or have the USP (United States Pharmacopeia) symbol. The "USP" on the label indicates that the calcium pill meets the USP standards.

Tolerance: This is frequent excuse for not taking proper calcium supplementation. This includes difficulties with gas or constipation. Simple measures such as increasing intake of fluids and high-fiber foods may eliminate the problem, but if they don't one should try a different form of calcium. There are many available forms and types and one should stop by their local health food store and find one they can tolerate.

In summary, calcium supplementation needs to be individualized for each person. One has to carefully evaluate the type of calcium, observe the label for serving size and quality, and evaluate their own diet for the need for supplementation.