Best Vegan Calcium Supplements | Reviews and Buyer’s Guide
The vegan community might not approach milk or dairy products for their calcium requirements, but they still need something in its place to keep their bones strong and in good health. The introduction of calcium supplements plays an integral role in helping the vegan demographic stay in shape.
If you want a healthy diet, calcium is an unquestionable part and parcel of it, so when dairy is not an option, it’s best to take help from vegan calcium supplements. In this article, we will be putting the best plant-based calcium supplements under the microscope. We will discuss their pros and cons and their constituents. Without further ado, let’s get right into it!
The 10 Best Vegan Calcium Supplements
If you look thoroughly, there are about a hundred vegan calcium supplements you will find readily available in the market. Still, not all of them are recommended for a healthy diet.
You might want to look out for some ingredient or the other, and the process of finding the best vegan calcium supplements might become tedious. To make things easier, we have curated a list of the 10 best plant-based calcium supplements you might consider for your calcium needs:
1. Future Kind Vegan Calcium Supplement
The vegan community hails this plant-based calcium supplement for its effectiveness and ease of consumption. The supplements share an interesting origin: they are sourced from red marine algae, which grow in the pristine waters of faraway Iceland.
Sounds exotic? That’s because it is! Rich in magnesium, these vegan calcium supplements come from the untouched waters of the North Atlantic and offer the same benefits as dairy products.
It has 50mg calcium carbonate and 38mg magnesium carbonate per serving. With 72 trace minerals from the sea, the bioavailability of the red marine algae is also enhanced.
PROS —
- Rich source of calcium carbonate
- High magnesium carbonate content
- 100% vegan friendly
- Environment-friendly packaging
CONS —
- Expensive
- It might be hard to swallow
2. Standard Process Calcium Lactate
These plant-based calcium supplements contain calcium lactate, which is great for absorbing magnesium and calcium in our bodies. The calcium lactate is essentially a highly soluble form of calcium that comes from non-dairy sources.
It contains a 5:1 ratio of calcium and magnesium. Another benefit of calcium lactate is supporting the immune system response function.
Standard Process has always been known for its holistic approach to nutrition, and its calcium supplement is no different.
A majority of the ingredients are grown locally on certified organic farms, and they require extensive chopping, juicing, dicing, and drying.
PROS —
- Enhances muscle contraction and nerve conduction
- Assists maintenance and functioning of cell membranes and their permeability
- Facilitates maintaining healthy bone density and remodeling
- Supports the proper functioning of enzymes and blood coagulation
CONS —
- Some have complained of diarrhea
- It might emit a foul odor after a few weeks
3. PlantFusion Vegan Calcium Supplement
These vegan calcium supplements use minerals tested for heavy metals, gluten, dairy, soy, and artificial chemicals. They are non-GMO verified and vegan certified.
With plant-based calcium and magnesium as their main ingredients, these supplements contain D3, K2, Boron, and Strontium. Certified by plant-based vegan food experts, these ones are readily available and serve the purpose well.
The source of the calcium and magnesium in these supplements is Aquamin, a nutrient-dense form of algae that grows in the pristine waters off the coast of Iceland.
PROS —
- Contains 72 trace minerals
- Promotes bone density
- 1000mg of calcium per serving
- Promotes bone growth, strength, and density
CONS —
- Expensive
- 3 tables needed at mealtime for effective results
- It might cause intestinal upset
4. NATURELO Plant-Based Calcium Supplement
These plant-based calcium supplements are great for healthy bone support. They contain magnesium and calcium, both of which are sourced from marine algae.
Vitamin D3 is sourced from Lichen and vitamin C from organic Acerola cherries. With 10 minerals and vitamins working in tandem, these vegan calcium supplements help maintain the bone density with their vitamin K2, D, C, Magnesium, Zinc, Manganese, Boron, Potassium, and Silica constituents.
These ingredients also ensure proper and timely absorption in our body and ascertain that the nutrients go straight to our bones instead of our arteries and soft tissues.
PROS —
- Good for the elderly in need of bone density
- Non-GMO certified
- Gluten, soy, yeast, eggs, dairy, caffeine, nuts, animal by-products, preservatives, coloring, and flavoring free
- 100% vegan friendly
CONS —
- Gastric issues might be common
- The foul smell might be a bother
- Some have reported heart palpitations
5. Garden of Life mykind Organics Plant Calcium Supplement
These are some of the best vegan calcium supplements readily available in the market. They include vegan D3 sourced from lichen and vitamin K2 MK7 sourced from equally vegan-friendly naturally occurring ingredients to increase bone health, and reduce the chances of osteoporosis.
The calcium and magnesium content is extracted from calcium-rich algae found in seabeds of pristine water bodies.
These easy-to-digest tablets include over 20 fruits and vegetables. It is gluten-free, non-GMO, certified organic, and contains no fillers and synthetic binders.
PROS —
- More bioavailable calcium
- Easily absorbed by the body
- Proven to increase bone density
- Non-GMO certified
- 100% vegan friendly
CONS —
- Expensive
- Some find it nauseating
- Hard to consume
6. Solgar Calcium Magnesium Plus Vegan Supplement
These vegan calcium supplements are meant for healthy, strong bones and teeth, but they also do a great job of assisting musculoskeletal and nervous systems.
Magnesium in these supplements aids in proper muscle function. It also regulates calcium transport and stimulates the secretion of calcitonin, a rather helpful hormone that helps influx calcium to our bones. It also aids in protein formation.
The supplements also include zinc as one of their ingredients. Zinc is a trace mineral that has an integral role in synthesizing collagen in bone tissue and the immune system’s health.
The Gold Standard: For over 70 years, Solgar has been committed to quality, health, and well-being. Our mission is to create the finest nutritional supplements in small batches, through tireless research, using only the finest raw materials
PROS —
- Non GMO And Gluten Free
- Suitable for vegans
- No wheat, soy, dairy, yeast, sodium, sugar, artificial flavor, and sweetener
CONS —
- Hard to chew
- It might not be good for a sensitive stomach
- Some complained of diarrhea
7. EZ Melts Vegan Calcium & Magnesium Supplement
As the name suggests, EZ Melts are extremely easy to swallow and digest due to their unique ability to melt in our mouths promptly. It is completely GMO and gluten-free. It contains no added dye, sugar, natural colors, flavors, or sweeteners.
They are a full line of fast-melting calcium dietary supplements that can be consumed without water. If you are someone who dislikes swallowing pills, these ones might just come to your rescue.
What’s more, it tastes great too! It contains calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and several other such extremely helpful minerals and nutrients.
PROS —
- Tastes great
- Melts in the mouth
- No need for water to swallow
- Contains rich minerals and nutrients
- Easy to absorb into our body
CONS —
- Contains mannitol which might lead to potentially dangerous side effects
- It might cause cramps and other gastric issues
8. Mary Ruth’s K2 + D3 Calcium Gummies
Mary Ruth’s vegan calcium gummies are some of the best vegan calcium supplements available in the market. They are fun to chew on and add a unique touch to the consumption experience.
These gummies are available in 3 distinct flavors: peach, apricot, and mango. So, if you are bored of only one flavor, there will still be 2 more left to try out. With ample K2 and K3 content, these vegan calcium supplements are easy to digest and get absorbed by our bodies easily.
The best part is that they are perfectly safe for children with calcium deficiency. So, if your child needs some calcium supplements, these can be a go to!
PROS —
- Comes in diverse flavors
- Great taste
- Safe for children
- Good for bone strength and density
- 100% vegan friendly
CONS —
- Low calcium content
- No magnesium
- No vitamin D
9. Now Supplements Vegan Calcium and Magnesium Tablets
These vegan calcium supplements are highly popular among the vegan demographic due to their non-GMO and vegan-friendly ingredients. They contain magnesium and calcium, necessary for neutral blood vessel function and muscular development.
They also help in the maintenance of proper bodily fluid balance. With a 2:1 ratio of calcium to magnesium, these supplements also support proper maintenance and formation of a healthy skeleton. They are vegan friendly, kosher, and soy-free, with a GMP quality, assured.
PROS —
- Helps in breast milk production
- 100% vegan friendly
- Helps with high blood pressure
- Improves teeth and bones
CONS —
- Hard to swallow
- It might cause stomach upset
- It might cause mood swings
10. Raw Whole Food Vegan Calcium Supplement
Derived from wild red marine algae from the United Kingdom, these are among the best vegan calcium supplements readily available in the market. They serve the purpose of making our bones and teeth strong, dense, and healthy while also pumping in additional nutrients.
They include vitamins D3, C, and K, along with ample amounts of Magnesium, making these supplements easy to absorb and good for our overall health.
They have no gluten, GMO, additives, soy, dairy, artificial colors, or preservatives. So, if you are experiencing calcium deficiency, these are great options.
PROS —
- It contains a blend of 25 real organic whole foods
- Vitamin D, C, and K
- Great for muscles, bones, and joints
- Tested for quality, potency, and purity
CONS —
- Ingredient sources are not explained thoroughly
- Expensive
Plant-Based Calcium Supplements – A Comprehensive Buying Guide
1. Are Vegans Deficient in Calcium?
Calcium is usually sourced from milk or general dairy products, but being vegan means going dairy-free. So, the short answer is that vegans lack calcium, and that is never good news. Calcium is responsible for strong and dense bones that can hold us upright without crumbling under our weight or minor injuries.
If you want to avoid brittle bones, vegan calcium supplements are necessary. Along with supplements you can even opt for natural sources of calcium such as through vegan milk, dairy-free yogurt, and other non-dairy calcium sources such as nuts, seeds or soy foods. After all, the void left from removing milk and dietary products rich in calcium in our diets needs to be replaced by alternative means.
2. How Much Calcium Do You Need A Day?
According to Harvard people under 50 years old should consume 1000 mg of calcium in a day to maintain strong bones and teeth consistently. However, the recommended amount varies from one demographic to another. For example, postmenopausal women and men over 70 years old might require 1,200 mg of calcium daily to steer clear of bone density loss.
Alternatively, teens and children aged between 9 to 18 require the most calcium: 1,300 mg a day. Note that nowadays, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation is a mere 500mg a day. Research suggests that around 800 to 1,000 IU of vitamin D is also required for proper calcium absorption in our bodies.
3. What Are the Best Vegan Sources of Calcium?
You’ll be surprised to know how many vegan food items are rich in calcium. While supplements are great, these natural sources of calcium that are both healthy and 100% vegan friendly are not to be brushed under the carpet.
Here are some of the vegan foods with calcium:
- Collard greens
- Hemp milk
- Tahini
- Soybeans
- Kale
- Artichoke
- Oranges
- Tempeh
- Blackcurrants
- Fortified orange juice
- Amaranth
- Almond butter
- Dates
- Dried Apricots
- Turnip greens
- Blackstrap molasses
- Roasted sesame seeds
- Bok Choy
- Celery
- Okra
- Rhubarb
- Chickpeas
- Brazil and hazelnuts
- Kiwi fruit
- Leeks
- Blackberries
- Seaweed
- Almonds
- Fennel
- Tofu
- Bean sprouts
4. Should Vegans Supplement Calcium?
It is always best to stick to natural food ingredients that might pump enough calcium into your bones, but it is often impossible to whip up a recipe with calcium-rich ingredients.
Making multiple trips to the supermarket for specific calcium-rich ingredients might not be feasible in our busy daily schedule. In such scenarios where it is impossible to arrange calcium-rich edible items for vegans, calcium supplements are a great alternative.
Final Thoughts
Here’s the bottom line: if you belong to the vegan community, chances are you might be deficient to some essential nutrients, calcium being one of them. Brittle and weak bones, stagnant and brittle nails, and unstable teeth health all of these are signs of calcium deficiency. The good news is that the market is teeming with calcium supplements.
Just ensure you choose the one best suited to your needs, and you are good to go!. Ensure you read the labels, the ingredients, and the warnings before deciding on a calcium supplement, and note that it is always better to consult a doctor before consuming any supplement.
