There is no standard answer for the best time to take calcium tablets. It depends on the type of calcium tablets and individual circumstances. When some calcium tablets are purchased, they are marked with one tablet each in the morning and evening, to be taken with meals, so just take it according to the standard.
There are two main types of calcium tablets on the market, one is calcium citrate and the other is calcium carbonate. The requirements for taking these two calcium tablets are different. Calcium citrate does not require a specific time to take it, you can take it anytime.
When buying calcium tablets, you can look at the logo on the box. If it is calcium citrate, you can take it at any time of the day. Moreover, it is not required to be taken with meals. It can be taken even on an empty stomach and its function will not be affected.
But if it is calcium carbonate, it is required to be taken with meals. Because calcium carbonate cannot be eaten on an empty stomach, it will affect the efficacy and be bad for the gastrointestinal tract.
When eating, in order to digest food, the intestines and stomach will secrete a lot of gastric acid. With the help of these stomach acids, the body is able to absorb calcium carbonate faster. In particular, some people have poor gastrointestinal function and insufficient gastric acid secretion, so they need to take it with meals.
Furthermore, it is best not to exceed 600 mg of calcium tablets each time, so that the body's absorption effect will be better. If the calcium supplement content exceeds 1,000 mg per day, your doctor will recommend taking it separately. Divide it 2 or 3 times to help absorption.
Calcium tablets cannot be taken together with antibiotics or antihypertensive drugs. If the elderly usually take antihypertensive drugs, they must stagger the time when they take calcium tablets, with at least 4 hours in between.