識揀鈣，老咗就唔洗「鈣」歎！ Be Wise! Get the Best Calcium!
鈣質有助增加骨質密度，鞏固骨骼，減少出現骨質疏鬆的機會。但市面上的產品林林總總，市民或會感到難以選擇。其實鈣片也有很多種，最常見的是碳酸鈣和檸檬酸鈣，今天就和大家分享一下這兩種鈣到底有甚麼不同！
Calcium helps to increase bone density, strengthen bones and decrease the risk of osteoporosis. As there are numerous calcium products available in the market, people might get confused on how to choose the most suitable ones for themselves. The most common types of calcium products are calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. Today, let’s find out the differences between these two types of calcium!
碳酸鈣
Calcium Carbonate
碳酸鈣的鈣含量有 40%，其中大約 30% 能被身體所吸收。由於碳酸鈣必須在酸性環境下才能把其中的鈣質釋放出來，所以一定要在進餐時服用。因為碳酸鈣釋放鈣質的期間會釋放出二氧化碳，所以較容易出現胃氣、胃脹及打嗝等副作用。
Calcium carbonate contains about 40% of elemental calcium and our body can absorb 30% of it. As elemental calcium can only be released from calcium carbonate in an acidic environment, therefore it needs to be taken with food. Also, it is likely to cause bloating, burping and gas as it releases carbon dioxide during the process.
檸檬酸鈣
Calcium Citrate
檸檬酸鈣的鈣含量有 20%，吸收率大約為 35%。和碳酸鈣不同，檸檬酸鈣的鈣質釋放過程不受酸鹼度影響，所以空肚飽肚都能服用，也適合長期服用胃酸抑制劑的病人使用。而且鈣質釋放過程中不會釋放任何氣體，適合腸胃較弱的人士服用。
Calcium citrate contains about 20% of elemental calcium and our body can absorb 35% of it. Unlike calcium carbonate, the process of releasing elemental calcium is not affected by the acidity of the environment and therefore it can be taken on empty stomach. It will not release gas during the process and therefore it is suitable for people who have upset stomach.
一般而言，若只計算鈣質含量，碳酸鈣的價格會較為廉宜但有較多副作用。但無論服用那種鈣片，每次服用的鈣質劑量都不建議超過 500 毫克，因為在同一時間服用過多的鈣質身體也吸收不了，還有可能增加副作用。
Generally, if we only focus on the amount of calcium, then calcium carbonate will be more cost-friendly. However, it causes more side effects. No matter which type of calcium tablet you take, the dosage of each intake should not exceed 500mg as our body cannot absorb too much calcium at once and it would only increase the risk of the side effects.
屈臣氏藥劑師團隊
Watsons Pharmacy Team
