Dicalcium Phosphate vs. Calcium Ascorbate
Among 5,062 on-market calcium products with an identifiable primary form, 24.2% use Dicalcium Phosphate (1,226 products) and 8.3% use Calcium Ascorbate (418).
| Dicalcium Phosphate | Calcium Ascorbate | |
|---|---|---|
| Quality tier | Unrated | Unrated |
| Calcium by weight | 23.3% | 9.4% |
| Share of market | 24.2% | 8.3% |
| On-market products | 1,226 | 418 |
| Median declared dose | 98.13 elemental mg middle half: 50–166 | 56 elemental mg middle half: 29–108 |
| Most common brands | The Vitamin Shoppe, DC, Mason Natural | 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 Dicalcium Phosphate is unrated
No specific human comparative bioavailability study vs carbonate/citrate was verified.
Source: uncertain -- needs review
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.