Get Your Personalized Supplement StackSupplement Stack Quiz

Calcium Hydroxyapatite

Q: Is calcium hydroxyapatite safe?

Yes, both oral and injectable forms are generally safe. Injectable side effects are typically mild and transient. Follow recommended dosage guidelines for oral supplementation.

Q: How should I take calcium hydroxyapatite for bone health?

Take it daily with meals to enhance absorption. Ensure adequate vitamin D intake to support calcium absorption. Follow general calcium supplementation guidelines for dosage.

Q: How long does injectable CaHA last?

Injectable CaHA provides immediate aesthetic improvement with maintenance over months. The duration of effect varies depending on the individual and treatment area.

Q: Are all calcium supplements the same?

No, not all calcium supplements are equivalent. Hydroxyapatite may offer unique benefits for bone health and aesthetics compared to other forms like calcium carbonate.

Q: Who should administer injectable CaHA?

Injectable CaHA should only be administered by trained professionals to ensure proper technique and minimize the risk of side effects.

Also known as: Calcium hydroxyapatite, CaHA, Hydroxyapatite, calcium phosphate hydroxide, Ca₅(PO₄)₃(OH), Calcium Hydroxyapatite

Overview

Calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) is a naturally occurring mineral form of calcium apatite found in bone and teeth. It is synthesized for use as a calcium supplement to support bone health and as a biocompatible injectable for aesthetic procedures. As a supplement, it provides calcium and phosphate, essential for bone mineralization. In aesthetic applications, it acts as a scaffold for tissue integration and collagen stimulation. Research indicates that CaHA is highly biocompatible and slowly resorbed by the body. The evidence base is strong for its aesthetic uses, with systematic reviews and meta-analyses supporting its efficacy. While research on CaHA as a specific calcium supplement is less extensive, studies suggest potential benefits for bone mineral density, particularly in postmenopausal women. It is available in oral (microcrystalline) and injectable forms.

Benefits

Calcium hydroxyapatite offers benefits in both aesthetic enhancement and bone health. For aesthetic enhancement, a meta-analysis of single-group studies (n=811) reported 98% patient satisfaction (95% CI, 91%–99%) with CaHA injections for facial and non-facial areas, along with 89-92% global aesthetic improvement. In terms of bone health, a meta-analysis found that ossein-hydroxyapatite complex (OHC) was significantly more effective than calcium carbonate in preventing bone loss, showing a 1.02% greater increase in bone mineral density (BMD) (95% CI, 0.63–1.41, P < 0.00001). Postmenopausal women and older adults may particularly benefit from hydroxyapatite-based calcium for bone health. Secondary benefits include improvements in wrinkle severity and skin thickness in aesthetic applications.

How it works

Calcium hydroxyapatite provides calcium and phosphate, which are essential for bone mineralization. It interacts with the skeletal system to support bone health. As an injectable, CaHA acts as a scaffold for tissue integration and stimulates collagen production. This interaction occurs within the dermal and subcutaneous tissues. The known molecular targets include the bone matrix, osteoblasts (bone-forming cells), and fibroblasts (connective tissue cells). As a supplement, its bioavailability is comparable to other calcium forms. As an injectable, it is not absorbed but gradually resorbed and replaced by host tissue, promoting long-term structural support and tissue regeneration.

Side effects

Calcium hydroxyapatite is generally safe for both oral and injectable use. Common side effects associated with injectable CaHA include swelling, bruising, and pain at the injection site. Uncommon side effects (1-5%) may include nodule formation and granulomas with injectable use, and gastrointestinal discomfort with oral supplementation. Rare side effects (<1%) include allergic reactions and infection with injectable use. There are no major drug interactions reported, but it may reduce absorption of certain medications like bisphosphonates and iron. Contraindications include allergy to components and active infection at the injection site for injectable forms. Caution is advised in individuals with severe renal impairment. The upper limit for calcium intake is 2000–2500 mg/day.

Dosage

For bone health, typical calcium supplementation guidelines apply, generally ranging from 1000–1200 mg of elemental calcium per day. For injectable CaHA, the dosage is individualized by the provider based on the treatment area and indication. The upper limit for calcium intake is 2000–2500 mg/day. Oral CaHA is best taken with meals to enhance absorption. Vitamin D is a required cofactor for optimal calcium absorption. Absorption may be reduced by high-fiber or high-oxalate diets. Microcrystalline hydroxyapatite is the preferred form for oral supplementation, while CaHA-based fillers are used for injectable applications. Injectable CaHA should be administered by trained professionals.

FAQs

Is calcium hydroxyapatite safe?

Yes, both oral and injectable forms are generally safe. Injectable side effects are typically mild and transient. Follow recommended dosage guidelines for oral supplementation.

How should I take calcium hydroxyapatite for bone health?

Take it daily with meals to enhance absorption. Ensure adequate vitamin D intake to support calcium absorption. Follow general calcium supplementation guidelines for dosage.

How long does injectable CaHA last?

Injectable CaHA provides immediate aesthetic improvement with maintenance over months. The duration of effect varies depending on the individual and treatment area.

Are all calcium supplements the same?

No, not all calcium supplements are equivalent. Hydroxyapatite may offer unique benefits for bone health and aesthetics compared to other forms like calcium carbonate.

Who should administer injectable CaHA?

Injectable CaHA should only be administered by trained professionals to ensure proper technique and minimize the risk of side effects.

Research Sources

https://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/2024/12000/a_systematic_review_and_meta_analysis_of.66.aspx – This systematic review and meta-analysis of single-group studies (n=811) evaluated the aesthetic use of calcium hydroxyapatite. The key findings showed 98% patient satisfaction (95% CI, 91%–99%) and 89–92% global aesthetic improvement, indicating high efficacy and patient satisfaction in facial and non-facial areas.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19407667/ – This meta-analysis of RCTs examined the effect of ossein-hydroxyapatite complex (OHC) on bone health compared to calcium carbonate. The results indicated that OHC was significantly more effective than calcium carbonate in preventing bone loss, with a 1.02% greater increase in bone mineral density (BMD) (95% CI, 0.63–1.41, P < 0.00001).
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/acute-and-3month-effects-of-microcrystalline-hydroxyapatite-calcium-citrate-and-calcium-carbonate-on-serum-calcium-and-markers-of-bone-turnover-a-randomised-controlled-trial-in-postmenopausal-women/C7B53D8B50F5372304C6B7CB020FD0C6 – This randomized controlled trial compared the effects of microcrystalline hydroxyapatite, calcium citrate, and calcium carbonate on serum calcium and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women. The study found that all calcium forms increased serum calcium and affected bone turnover markers, with no significant differences between hydroxyapatite and other forms in this short-term (3-month) study.
https://www.bmj.com/content/351/bmj.h4183 – This article is a general resource on calcium supplementation and its effects on bone health. While it doesn't focus specifically on calcium hydroxyapatite, it provides context on the importance of calcium for bone mineral density and fracture prevention, highlighting the need for adequate calcium intake, especially in older adults.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11671094/ – This article discusses the use of calcium hydroxyapatite in bone tissue engineering. It highlights the biocompatibility and osteoconductive properties of CaHA, making it a suitable material for bone regeneration and repair. The article emphasizes the potential of CaHA in various biomedical applications, including bone grafts and scaffolds.