Calcium Carbonate
Specifications of Calcium Carbonate
Chemical Name: Calcium carbonate Molecular Formula: CaCO₃
Molecular Weight: 100.09 g/mol CAS Number: 471-34-1
What is Calcium Carbonate
Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound with the formula CaCO₃, composed of one calcium ion (Ca²⁺), one carbon atom, and three oxygen atoms forming carbonate ions (CO₃²⁻). It is a white, odorless, fine powder or crystalline solid that occurs naturally in minerals such as calcite, aragonite, limestone, chalk, shells, and pearls.
Physical Properties
Appearance: White, fine, non-sandy powder with a soapy or slippery feel
Solubility: Practically insoluble in water; sparingly soluble and dissolves more readily in acidic solutions
Melting Point: Calcium carbonate does not melt; it decomposes at around 825 °C
Nutritional Information
About 40% by weight; for example, 1,000 mg of calcium carbonate provides roughly 400 mg of elemental calcium, which supports bone health and other physiological functions.
Calcium Carbonate Benefits
The key benefits of calcium carbonate include:
Supports bone health: Calcium carbonate is a primary source of calcium, essential for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth. It helps prevent conditions like osteoporosis by promoting bone mineral density and supporting muscle, nerve, and heart function.
Increases calcium levels: It effectively treats or prevents low blood calcium (hypocalcemia), which may occur in conditions like osteoporosis, hypothyroidism, and hypoparathyroidism, as well as in people taking medications that reduce calcium levels.
Relieves heartburn and indigestion: Acting as an antacid, calcium carbonate neutralizes excess stomach acid, relieving symptoms of acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and upset stomach.
Helps in chronic kidney disease: It binds phosphate in the gut, reducing phosphate absorption and helping to prevent bone disorders related to kidney disease.
May reduce risk of preeclampsia: Calcium supplementation with calcium carbonate during pregnancy can lower the risk of high blood pressure complications like preeclampsia.
Convenient and widely used supplement: It is available in many forms (tablets, chewables, powders) and is cost-effective with good calcium content (about 40% elemental calcium), making it popular for dietary supplementation.