Calcium Citrate vs. Calcium Ascorbate
Among 5,062 on-market calcium products with an identifiable primary form, 20.3% use Calcium Citrate (1,027 products) and 8.3% use Calcium Ascorbate (418).
| Calcium Citrate | Calcium Ascorbate | |
|---|---|---|
| Quality tier | Tier 1 | Unrated |
| Calcium by weight | 21.1% | 9.4% |
| Share of market | 20.3% | 8.3% |
| On-market products | 1,027 | 418 |
| Median declared dose | 125 elemental mg middle half: 50–400 | 56 elemental mg middle half: 29–108 |
| Most common brands | Bluebonnet, Pure Encapsulations, Bariatric Advantage | MH Michael's Health Naturopathic Programs, American Health, NOW |
Doses are declared per serving in elemental mg. “By weight” is the share of the ingredient that is the nutrient itself (e.g. elemental magnesium in a magnesium salt).
Why Calcium Citrate is tier 1
Meta-analysis of 15 studies (184 subjects): absorption significantly higher than carbonate by ~20-27%, fasting and with meals; does not require gastric acid.
Source: Sakhaee K et al. 1999, PMID 11329115
Why Calcium Ascorbate is unrated
Used primarily as a buffered vitamin C source; no calcium-specific bioavailability study was found.
Source: uncertain -- needs review
Tiers summarize published comparative bioavailability or outcome evidence for each form (see methodology).
This page describes the market; it is not a recommendation to take either form. Talk to a clinician about what's right for you.