As women age, bone health becomes an essential part of overall wellness. After age 40, bone density naturally declines, and the hormonal changes that accompany menopause can accelerate bone loss. For women taking medications like anastrozole, which is commonly prescribed after breast cancer treatment, protecting bone health becomes an even greater focus. While a calcium-rich diet should always be the first line of defense, supplements can help fill nutritional gaps when recommended by a healthcare provider.
To help you find the right fit, we rounded up the best calcium supplements for women over 40, including options for every preference — from chewables and gummies to plant-based and practitioner-trusted formulas.
Best Calcium Supplements for Women at a Glance
Best Overall: Viactiv Calcium + Bone Strengthening Soft Chews, $10
Best Clean Formula: Pure Encapsulations Calcium (Citrate) Supplement, $14
Most Monthly Supply: Nature Made Calcium with Vitamin D3, $24
Best Premium Formula: Thorne Calcium, $28
Best Gummy: Nature’s Nutrition Sugar Free Calcium Gummy Bites, $15 (originally $22)
Best for Women’s Health: Bird&Be Calcium + Magnesium + Vitamin D Boost, $26
Best Organic Supplement: Garden of Life mykind Organics Plant Calcium, $30
Best Dietitian Recommended: MegaFood Calcium & Magnesium, $26
What is the best form of calcium for women to take?
According to experts, the best form of calcium for women depends on their needs, lifestyle, and other factors.
“Calcium carbonate is the most widely used option, and it delivers a high amount of elemental calcium per dose, which means fewer pills overall,” explains Lauren Manaker, M.S., R.D.N., L.D., an award-winning registered dietitian and MegaFood partner. “It does require adequate gastric acid for optimal absorption, so it’s best taken with a meal. Some people may find it harder to tolerate digestively over time.”
Dr. Stephanie Redmond, a clinical pharmacist and Founder of Dr. Stephanie’s Vitamins and Supplements, tells The Flow Space that you often see calcium carbonate (a different salt form), which is cheaper, but it needs to be broken down by stomach acid to be absorbed. “As we get older (yes, even 40 and beyond), we produce less stomach acid, making it even more important to take a form that our bodies can absorb and use. If you are going to take it, make it count!” Dr. Redmond adds.
Also consider calcium citrate, which is often a better fit for those with sensitive digestion, according to Manaker. It’s absorbed without needing food or a highly acidic environment. “That flexibility makes it a practical choice for anyone on acid-reducing medications or with a less predictable eating schedule,” she explains. “It does contain less elemental calcium per serving, so you may need to take it in split doses throughout the day.”
Manaker mentions that calcium bisglycinate is a chelated form that tends to be well tolerated, even among people who’ve had difficulty with other types. “It’s worth knowing as an option, particularly when absorption and comfort are both priorities.”
And whichever form you choose, the body absorbs calcium most efficiently in doses of around 500 mg or less at a time, “so spreading intake across the day is generally more effective than taking a large amount all at once,” says Manaker.
Why is it important for women 40+ to take calcium supplements?
As women get older, focusing on keeping bones strong is increasingly important. Around age 40, bone density naturally starts to decline, and the loss of estrogen during menopause can accelerate that process, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. While a balanced diet rich in calcium remains the best way to meet your daily needs, many women don’t consume enough calcium through food alone. That’s where a calcium supplement can help support healthy bones alongside vitamin D, regular weight-bearing exercise, and other healthy lifestyle habits.
“One really important callout here: 40 is honestly too late to start thinking about your bones!” Dr. Redmond emphasizes. “Your bone mass generally peaks before or at 30 years old and then starts to decline. So building bone should be a critical mission in your 20s to set you up for aging well — just a message for all of us to pass along to the next generation of women.”
“They especially should be ‘banking’ bone density, getting calcium in their diets (and all nutrients) and building bone with strength training,” Dr. Redmond says. “It will be interesting to see how GLP-1 drugs and drastic weight loss across a new population of people will impact bone health down the road.”
What are some benefits of taking calcium?
Bone health is the benefit most people associate with calcium, but calcium is also essential for muscle contraction, nerve transmission, normal blood clotting, and more. “What many people don’t realize is that the body regulates blood calcium levels very tightly,” Manaker explains.
When you don’t get enough from the foods you eat, your body begins to rely on calcium stored in your bones to meet those needs, which is why maintaining consistent calcium intake is so important for supporting long-term bone health.
“I always encourage a food-first approach,” says Manaker. “Foods like dairy products, fortified plant-based milks, leafy greens, canned fish with bones, and calcium-set tofu are excellent sources of calcium. Supplements can play an important role, but they’re best used to help fill nutritional gaps rather than replace a balanced, nutrient-rich diet.”
Do you need to take calcium with anastrozole?
Anastrozole, a medication commonly prescribed to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer after menopause, can accelerate bone loss by lowering estrogen levels. Because estrogen plays an important role in maintaining bone density, women taking anastrozole may have an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures over time, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Healthcare providers often recommend making sure you’re getting enough calcium and vitamin D, either through your diet or, if needed, with supplements. However, not everyone taking anastrozole will need a calcium supplement.
“The right approach depends on a person’s dietary intake, vitamin D status, bone density results, and the guidance of their care team,” Manaker says. “Some women are meeting their needs through food alone, while others may benefit from a targeted supplement protocol. This is a conversation best had with your oncologist and a registered dietitian who can assess your full clinical picture. I’d always encourage working within that framework rather than making changes independently when a medication like anastrozole is part of the equation.”
Keep reading to discover the best calcium supplements for women over 40.
Best calcium supplements for women
Best Overall
Viactiv Calcium + Bone Strengthening
The Viactiv Calcium + Bone Strengthening Soft Chews make it easy to get the necessary vitamins needed for healthy bones and teeth. Each serving delivers 650 milligrams of calcium along with vitamin D3, which helps the body absorb calcium, and vitamin K, an essential nutrient that supports the formation of bone proteins. It comes in a soft, chocolate-flavored chew. It’s an enjoyable alternative to traditional tablets and capsules, making it easier to add to your daily routine.
Form: Soft chews
Ingredients: Calcium, vitamin D3, and vitamin K
Dose: 1 soft chew up to two times daily
Pros:
Provides 650 mg of calcium per serving
Chewable
Delicious chocolate flavor
Cons:
Does contain some added sugar
Use code VIACTIV26 for 20% off Viactiv at iHerb.
Best Clean Formula
Pure Encapsulations Calcium (Citrate) Supplement
Pure Encapsulations Calcium (Citrate) is a top pick for those seeking a calcium supplement to support long-term bone health. This supplement features calcium citrate, which is well absorbed with or without food, making it a convenient daily option. Each serving provides calcium to help support strong bones and teeth and plays an essential role in healthy muscle, nerve, and cardiovascular function. True to the brand’s reputation, the formula is made with high-quality, hypoallergenic ingredients and is free from gluten, GMOs, and many common allergens.
Form: Capsule
Dose: 2 capsules
Ingredients: 300 milligrams of calcium, calcium citrate, and ascorbyl palmitate
Pros:
Uses calcium citrate
Vegan and vegetarian-friendly capsules
Gentle on the stomach
Cons:
Doesn’t include vitamin D3 or vitamin K2
Most Monthly Supply
Nature Made Calcium with Vitamin D3
For more than a month’s supply of calcium, consider this Nature Made option, which includes 200 supplements per bottle. Each serving is packed with calcium to support the body’s functions. In addition to its effectiveness, the supplements are USP Verified, meaning they have been independently tested for quality, purity, and potency.
Form: Capsules
Dose: 1 tablet
Ingredients: Calcium (calcium carbonate) 600 mg per tablet and Vitamin D3
Pros:
Contains calcium and vitamin D3
Affordable
Available at multiple retailers
Cons:
Uses calcium carbonate, which can be harder to digest
Best Premium Formula
Thorne Calcium
Thorne’s supplements always include high-quality ingredients, and its calcium supplement is no exception. Formulated with DiCalcium Malate (DimaCal), a highly absorbable form of calcium, this premium supplement is designed to support strong bones and healthy muscle, nerve, and cardiovascular function. Each capsule delivers 250 milligrams of calcium, making it easy to enhance your current calcium intake.
Form: Capsule
Dose: 1 capsule
Ingredients: Calcium (as DimaCal DiCalcium Malate) 250 mg per capsule and hypromellose (vegetarian capsule)
Pros:
Made with DiCalcium Malate (DimaCal), a highly absorbable form of calcium
Minimal ingredient list with no unnecessary fillers
Free from gluten, dairy, soy, and other common allergens
Cons:
Higher cost than many other drugstore calcium supplements
Best Gummy
Nature’s Nutrition Sugar Free Calcium Gummy Bites
On Sale 32% off
Nature’s Nutrition Sugar Free Calcium Gummy Bites is a calcium supplement that makes it enjoybale ot take. These berry-flavored gummies combine calcium with 400 IU of vitamin D3 to support calcium absorption and healthy bones, without added sugar, while the chewable format is perfect for anyone who prefers gummies over traditional capsules or tablets.
Form: Gummy
Dose: 2 gummies
Ingredients: Calcium and vitamin D3
Pros:
Sugar-free formula
Berry-flavored gummies that are easy to take
Non-GMO formula
Cons:
Provides less calcium per serving than some tablet-based supplements
Best for Women’s Health
Bird&Be Calcium
For women seeking a hybrid supplement that offers more than just calcium, Bird&Be Calcium + Magnesium + Vitamin D Boost delivers three essential nutrients in one daily packet. It combines calcium citrate, a highly absorbable form of calcium, with magnesium to support muscle and nerve function and vegan vitamin D3 to help improve calcium absorption and promote bone health. Formulated by fertility doctors and OB-GYNs, the clean, vegan formula is designed to support women through every stage of life, from preconception and pregnancy to postpartum and beyond. It’s also free from gluten, dairy, soy, shellfish, and artificial dyes.
Form: Capsule
Dose: 1 packet
Ingredients: Calcium (as calcium citrate), magnesium, and vitamin D3
Pros:
Formulated by specialists
Combines calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D3 in one supplement
Packaged in convenient daily packets
Cons:
1 packet is 4 capsules, which is more than other supplement servings
Best Organic Supplement
Garden of Life mykind Organics Plant Calcium
Garden of Life’s MyKind Organics Plant Calcium delivers plant-based bone support crafted from whole-food ingredients. This vegan formula sources calcium from certified organic algae and pairs it with vitamin D3, vitamin K2, and magnesium. It also includes more than 20 organic fruits and vegetables, adding naturally occurring trace minerals to complement the formula. It’s thoughtfully crafted for shoppers who prioritize clean, plant-based ingredients without sacrificing nutritional support. Whether you’re looking to help maintain strong bones or prefer an organic approach to supplementation, this formula offers both.
Form: Capsule
Dose: 3 tablets
Ingredients: Plant-sourced calcium, vitamin D3, vitamin K2, magnesium, and more than 20 organic fruits and vegetables
Pros:
Plant-based and contains a vegan calcium source
Non-GMO Project Verified
Features quality ingredients
Cons:
Multiple tablets per serving
Best Dietitian Recommended
MegaFood Calcium & Magnesium
The one supplement Manaker always recommends is the MegaFood Calcium & Magnesium. “It’s formulated with calcium bisglycinate, a form that tends to be well tolerated, and it combines 150 mg of calcium with 75 mg of magnesium per serving,” she says. “That pairing matters, because magnesium and calcium work closely together in the body, and many people aren’t getting enough magnesium from diet alone.” Manaker also explains that the formula includes an organic herb blend, including nettle leaf, dandelion root, and parsley leaf, and it’s glyphosate residue-free, “which is meaningful for those who are mindful about supplement quality and sourcing.”
Form: Capsule
Dose: 3 tablets
Ingredients: Calcium (as fermented calcium bisglycinate) 150 mg per serving, magnesium, and an organic herb blend
Pros:
Combines calcium and magnesium in one supplement
Free from the nine major allergens
Can be taken any time of day, even on an empty stomach
Cons:
Lower amount of calcium per serving
About the Author
Taylor Lane is a contributing commerce writer at SheKnows and The Flow Space, covering beauty, style, and lifestyle. With over eight years of media experience, she previously served as a beauty writer at The Zoe Report and a fashion assistant at Glamour. Her work has appeared in StyleCaster, The Flow Space, WWD, Forbes Vetted, Teen Vogue, InStyle, and more, where she’s tested hundreds of products — from top-performing mascaras to the most functional strollers. She’s also a mom of two girls, a ten-year-old and a 4-month-old. And when she’s not online, she’s usually at Pilates.