A. Microcrystalline hydroxyapatite concentrate (MCHC) is a compound derived from a whole animal bone, which is comprised of calcium, magnesium, zinc, silica, manganese, and other trace minerals. MCHC has been shown to support bone health by acting as "bone food." Whereas other forms of calcium should be considered simply as "good sources of calcium," and calcium is important for many health reasons other than bone, MCHC provides more nutrients than just elemental calcium for effective bone support.

While MCHC is an effective source of calcium, its primary benefit comes in bone support formulas. Certainly calcium has many non-bone uses and other types of calcium remain important in overall health.

Of course, "...bones

are "more than just calcium," and MCHC is considered an "bone food." Because bone is much more complex than just calcium alone, it also requires more than just calcium for total bone nutrition. Thus, a compound such as calcium citrate or any other form of calcium alone is unlikely to be superior to MCHC as a "complete bone food."

On the other hand, calcium alone is important in many body processes and the use of calcium as citrate, lactate, or other chelated forms also provide excellent sources of calcium. For example, in Metagenics Multigenics Intensive Care, the forms of calcium include MCHC calcium citrate, and calcium glycinate, providing a full breadth of calcium need in a multivitamin. Certainly, adding a bone-specific calcium formula to any multivitamin remains a proper choice.