Calcium Carbonate vs Ground Oyster Shell Supplements

[HylianHealeys]

Alright, I'm thoroughly confused. I keep seeing sources that say any calcium powder made from ground oyster shell is bad and the only calcium supplement that is digestible is pure calcium carbonate— in other words, Zoo Med's calcium supplement is the only digestible supplement on the market. However, these sources are usually at least 5 years years old. Are these claims outdated, or have I just been misinformed all this time?

 

[Taterbug]

Oyster shells are primarily calcium carbonate, just not 100% pure.

Can you share the sources you are referring too? I’ve not heard this before.

 

[HylianHealeys]

I've been seeing it here and there — the most recent I've seen were from an admin of the leopard gecko section of GeckosUnlimited.com, and then a TeguTalk.com care sheet from 2007 (https://tegutalk.com/threads/tegu-care-sheet.7704/).

 

[Reptilelady]

Hmm, random thought here... is it true that calcium supplements expire after 6 months?

 

[Taterbug]

I would ask them for sources...
Calcium from sources like shells, egg shells and bones are typically useful to the body. Some sources more, some less and other minerals/nutrients play a role but I don’t think oyster shell is significantly less effective than pure calcium carbonate.


Study on laying hens
http://www.sid.ir/En/Journal/ViewPaper.aspx?ID=103190

Study on rats
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1439-0396.1997.tb00866.x/abstract



Elemental calcium doesn’t expire, it’s inert. Other vitamins like D3 and those used in multivitamins can decay over time, especially when exposed to air, heat, light and moisture.

 

[HylianHealeys]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts guys!

 

[Reptilelady]

Awesome thanks for that information.