Calcium Lactate
Also known as: Calcium lactate pentahydrate, E327
Two provided human trials used calcium lactate as an oral calcium source: one tested a 2 g/day calcium lactate arm in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and another measured calcium absorption from a drink providing 400 mg calcium as calcium lactate. An in vitro study found that a calcium lactate pre-treatment increased fluoride reactivity with enamel and dentine. The human trials do not provide strong evidence that calcium lactate alone prevents bone loss compared with vitamin D and vitamin K combinations, and absorption differences reported were small and likely of limited clinical significance.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-14 · 2 indexed studies
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Overview
Calcium lactate is a calcium salt commonly used as a source of dietary calcium. Human trials in the provided abstracts used it as an oral calcium supplement and as a calcium source in beverages; an in vitro study evaluated a calcium lactate pretreatment to enhance fluoride reactivity with dental tissues.
Mechanism & Function
Mechanism of Action
Provides bioavailable calcium ions on dissolution in the gut, contributing to systemic calcium supply for bone mineralisation and other physiological processes. In vitro, surface calcium from calcium lactate can increase formation of CaF2-like deposits when followed by topical fluoride.
Physiological Role
Calcium is required for bone mineralisation, muscle contraction and cellular signalling; calcium lactate functions as a source of dietary calcium.
Primary Pathways
Performance / Health Relevance
As a calcium source, it is relevant to general bone health and any applications that depend on calcium availability. The provided human evidence does not demonstrate superior effects versus vitamin D/K interventions for bone density, and absorption differences versus comparator preparations were minor.
Evidence Review
No meta-analyses or systematic reviews indexed for this ingredient yet.
Dimensions marked N/A have no indexed evidence of that class. They are shown as unavailable rather than scored.
Compare Calcium Forms
Full comparison7 calcium forms are indexed. Bioavailability, clinical evidence, and best-use cases differ meaningfully between them.
| Form | Evidence |
|---|---|
Calcium LactateThis page 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 |
| Calcium Caseinate 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 |
Practical Use & Dosage
- Minimum Effective Dose
- 400 mg calcium provided as calcium lactate (as used in an absorption study)
- Optimal Range
- Not established from the provided abstracts; human trials used 400 mg Ca (drink) and a separate trial used 2 g/day calcium lactate
- Upper / Caution Level
- Not established in the provided abstracts
- Timing
- Not specified in the provided abstracts
- Best Format
- Oral tablet, capsule or dissolved in drinks (as used in trials)
- Bioavailability
- 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.
- Absorption Considerations
- Calcium absorption depends on formulation and co‑ingested factors (as reflected by the drink study); the provided data do not establish clinically important differences in absorption for calcium lactate versus other preparations.
Safety & Interactions
Side Effects
- •Not specified in the provided abstracts
Contraindications
- Not specified in the provided abstracts
Drug Interactions
- •Not specified in the provided abstracts
Who Should Avoid
- •Not specified in the provided abstracts
Monitoring
Not specified in the provided abstracts; standard monitoring for calcium supplementation (serum calcium where clinically indicated) is not described here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Auto-generated from indexed evidence — dosage, safety, interactions, and more.
When is Calcium Lactate typically used or indicated?
Calcium Lactate is most commonly used for: Dietary calcium supplementation, Dental formulations (as a calcium source combined with fluoride in topical applications). Calcium is required for bone mineralisation, muscle contraction and cellular signalling; calcium lactate functions as a source of dietary calcium.
How does Calcium Lactate work?
Provides bioavailable calcium ions on dissolution in the gut, contributing to systemic calcium supply for bone mineralisation and other physiological processes. In vitro, surface calcium from calcium lactate can increase formation of CaF2-like deposits when followed by topical fluoride.
What is the recommended dose of Calcium Lactate?
The optimal range is Not established from the provided abstracts; human trials used 400 mg Ca (drink) and a separate trial used 2 g/day calcium lactate. with a minimum effective dose of 400 mg calcium provided as calcium lactate (as used in an absorption study). Best taken: Not specified in the provided abstracts. Upper / caution level: Not established in the provided abstracts.
What are the side effects of Calcium Lactate?
Reported side effects include: Not specified in the provided abstracts. Monitoring: Not specified in the provided abstracts; standard monitoring for calcium supplementation (serum calcium where clinically indicated) is not described here.
Does Calcium Lactate interact with medications?
Known or theoretical interactions: Not specified in the provided abstracts. Always check with a clinician before combining with prescription medication.
Who should avoid Calcium Lactate?
Calcium Lactate is generally not recommended for: Not specified in the provided abstracts; and Not specified in the provided abstracts.
How strong is the evidence for Calcium Lactate?
Evidence level: Limited (overall score 45/100), based on 2 indexed studies on SuppIndex.
Research & References (2)
Effect of combined administration of vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 on bone mineral density of the lumbar spine in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.
Randomised trial in postmenopausal osteoporotic women comparing vitamin D3, vitamin K2, vitamin D3+K2 and calcium (calcium lactate 2 g/day) groups over two years with lumbar spine BMD measured.
Calcium absorption is not increased by caseinophosphopeptides.
Randomised crossover trial in 15 adults measuring calcium absorption from a calcium lactate drink (400 mg Ca as lactate) and from drinks containing additional caseinophosphopeptide (CPP) preparations.
Related Ingredients
Other top-rated ingredients in Minerals.
Magnesium Glycinate
84/100An amino acid chelate of magnesium providing elemental Mg²⁺ bound to two glycine molecules, offering superior bioavailability and minimal gastrointestinal side effects.
Calcium Citrate
75/100Calcium bound to citric acid; ~24% elemental Ca by mass; absorbed across the small intestine via active transport and paracellular diffusion regardless of gastric pH.
Zinc
74/100Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of human trials show that oral zinc supplementation reduces duration and increases recovery rates in acute and persistent watery diarrhoea in children; lowers inflammatory lesion counts in acne; reduces pain severity in primary dysmenorrhea; and in small trials (20–30 mg/day) improved fasting glucose and 2‑hr OGTT in people with prediabetes. Adverse effects reported include increased vomiting in children receiving zinc for diarrhoea.
Research Overview
Limited EvidenceCite 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-lactate
SuppIndex. (2026). Calcium Lactate: Evidence summary, dosage and clinical studies. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/calcium-lactate
Based on 2 indexed studies · Evidence level: Limited.
Goal Ratings
Stack Compatibility
Used commonly with vitamin D and other calcium regulators; one trial compared calcium lactate alone with vitamin D and vitamin K combinations and found the combination more favourable for lumbar spine BMD than calcium alone.