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    Calcium Caseinate

    Also known as: Caseinate, Sodium caseinate

    Acid precipitation of skim milk at pH 4.6 isolates casein; alkaline neutralisation with Ca(OH)₂ yields calcium caseinate (~90% protein). Lacks the native micellar structure, so gastric coagulation is partial.

    Last reviewed: 2026-06-28 · 1 indexed study

    Evidence Score
    78/100
    Meal replacement powders (MRPs)Bars and ready-to-drinkModerate-speed protein
    Data Completeness3/4 · 75%
    Evidence ScoreDosageSafetyLinked Studies

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    Overview

    Calcium caseinate is acid-precipitated casein resolubilised with calcium hydroxide, producing a soluble, easily formulated protein with intermediate digestion kinetics — faster than intact micellar casein but slower than whey. It is the standard casein form used in meal replacement powders, protein bars and clinical nutrition.

    Mechanism & Function

    Mechanism of Action

    Partial gastric coagulation produces medium-speed aminoacidaemia (peak ~2 h, sustained ~4–5 h) — intermediate between whey isolate and micellar casein.

    Physiological Role

    Sustained EAA delivery without the texture or solubility issues of native casein.

    Primary Pathways

    Medium-rate EAA deliverymTORC1 activationSuppression of proteolysis

    Performance / Health Relevance

    Boirie 1997's foundational 'fast vs slow' work used caseinate to demonstrate the prolonged postprandial nitrogen balance characteristic of casein proteins.

    Evidence Review

    Overall78/100
    Human Clinical82/100
    Meta-AnalysisN/A

    No meta-analyses or systematic reviews indexed for this ingredient yet.

    Mechanistic90/100
    Real-World78/100
    Safety90/100

    Dimensions marked N/A have no indexed evidence of that class. They are shown as unavailable rather than scored.

    Compare Calcium Forms

    7 calcium forms are indexed. Bioavailability, clinical evidence, and best-use cases differ meaningfully between them.

    FormEvidence
    Calcium CaseinateThis page

    DIAAS ≈ 1.18; complete EAA profile.

    78/100
    Calcium Citrate

    ~22–27% absorption regardless of stomach acidity.

    75/100
    HMB

    Ca-HMB ~80%; HMB-FA produces 2× higher peak plasma at same dose.

    68/100
    Calcium Carbonate

    Calcium carbonate provides elemental calcium but requires gastric acid for absorption; absorption may be reduced on a completely achlorhydric stomach.

    67/100
    Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

    Well-absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Bioavailability is generally high.

    65/100
    Calcium AKG

    Moderate.

    48/100
    Calcium Lactate

    One trial measured absorption from a calcium lactate drink; small differences in fractional absorption were observed when additional caseinophosphopeptide preparations were included, but these differences were judged unlikely to be biologically meaningful.

    45/100
    Open full side-by-side comparison

    Practical Use & Dosage

    Minimum Effective Dose
    20 g per serving
    Optimal Range
    20–40 g per serving
    Upper / Caution Level
    No defined upper limit within total-protein targets
    Timing
    Meal replacement, between meals, or pre-sleep
    Best Format
    Powder, bars, RTD beverages
    Bioavailability
    DIAAS ≈ 1.18; complete EAA profile.
    Absorption Considerations
    Faster than native micellar casein; less of a slow-release effect.

    Safety & Interactions

    Side Effects

    • •Bloating in lactose-sensitive users (residual lactose typically <1%)

    Contraindications

    • Milk protein allergy

    Drug Interactions

    • •As per other casein forms

    Who Should Avoid

    • •Cow's milk protein allergy

    Monitoring

    None.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Auto-generated from indexed evidence — dosage, safety, interactions, and more.

    When is Calcium Caseinate typically used or indicated?

    Calcium Caseinate is most commonly used for: Meal replacement powders (MRPs), Bars and ready-to-drink, Moderate-speed protein. Sustained EAA delivery without the texture or solubility issues of native casein.

    How does Calcium Caseinate work?

    Partial gastric coagulation produces medium-speed aminoacidaemia (peak ~2 h, sustained ~4–5 h) — intermediate between whey isolate and micellar casein.

    What is the recommended dose of Calcium Caseinate?

    The optimal range is 20–40 g per serving. with a minimum effective dose of 20 g per serving. Best taken: Meal replacement, between meals, or pre-sleep. Upper / caution level: No defined upper limit within total-protein targets.

    What are the side effects of Calcium Caseinate?

    Reported side effects include: Bloating in lactose-sensitive users (residual lactose typically <1%). Monitoring: None.

    Does Calcium Caseinate interact with medications?

    Known or theoretical interactions: As per other casein forms. Always check with a clinician before combining with prescription medication.

    Who should avoid Calcium Caseinate?

    Calcium Caseinate is generally not recommended for: Cow's milk protein allergy; and Milk protein allergy.

    How strong is the evidence for Calcium Caseinate?

    Evidence level: Strong (overall score 78/100), based on 1 indexed study on SuppIndex.

    Research & References (1)

    Slow and fast dietary proteins differently modulate postprandial protein accretion

    RCT1997Strong
    PubMed

    Boirie Y et al. Foundational study using calcium caseinate to demonstrate sustained postprandial leucine and protein balance vs rapid whey.

    Related Ingredients

    Other top-rated ingredients in Proteins & Protein Powders.

    Whey Protein Isolate (WPI)

    94/100

    Microfiltered or ion-exchange purified whey to ≥90% protein. Lower in lactose and fat than WPC, preserving most bioactive fractions in CFM versions. DIAAS ≈ 1.09; leucine content ~11%.

    Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC 80)

    92/100

    Membrane-filtered (ultrafiltration/microfiltration) liquid whey concentrated to 70–80% protein dry matter. Retains higher levels of native bioactive fractions than isolate. PDCAAS = 1.0; DIAAS ≈ 1.09.

    Micellar Casein

    88/100

    Casein retained in its native micellar form (intact αs1, αs2, β and κ caseins assembled with colloidal calcium phosphate). Coagulates at gastric pH, dramatically slowing emptying.

    Research Overview

    Strong Evidence
    1Total Studies
    1Human Trials
    0Meta-Analyses
    1997Latest Study
    0Animal / In Vitro
    0Athlete Studies
    Primary data sourceGeneral Population
    Pooled evidence (meta-analysis / systematic review)No

    Cite this ingredient

    One-click citation export in APA, MLA, Chicago, BibTeX, or HTML. The URL below is stable and safe to link.

    Stable URL

    https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/calcium-caseinate

    SuppIndex. (2026). Calcium Caseinate: Evidence summary, dosage and clinical studies. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/calcium-caseinate

    Based on 1 indexed studies · Evidence level: Strong.

    Goal Ratings

    Muscle Gain
    Recovery
    General Health

    Stack Compatibility

    Frequently blended with whey isolate in MRPs for biphasic kinetics.

    Whey Protein Isolate (WPI)Cyclic Dextrin (HBCD)Leucine