The Nation - News from March 27, 1987

A University of Maryland study concluded that 11 of 35 popular brands of calcium tablets, which are taken by many women to combat bone disorders that can come with old age, dissolve so slowly that they pass from the stomach before they can take effect. Nationwide, about $166 million in calcium tablets were sold last year, an increase of about 700% since 1980. In addition, the researchers said elderly people typically have weak stomach acids, which means it could take even longer to break down the tablets.