The difference between calcium supplements.

Calcium supplements predominately contain two forms of elemental calcium, either calcium carbonate or calcium citrate. Calcium carbonate, the form of calcium found in Caltrate^®, is the most concentrated form and is commonly found in food and drug stores.

Caltrate^® is a calcium carbonate product; it's a smaller tablet with a more concentrated form of calcium so you can take fewer tablets to get the recommended amounts of calcium. And fewer tablets mean your bottle of Caltrate^® may last longer.

Caltrate^®: Smaller size, made possible by using a more concentrated form of calcium than citrate products.  

Did you know that your prescription osteoporosis medicine does not replace your need for adequate calcium and vitamin D?

Start your bone health program off right by getting enough calcium and vitamin D. If you're not getting enough calcium from food, then your body will steal it from your bones. And inadequate levels of calcium can lead to bone loss, osteoporosis and increased risk of fractures.† That's why it's important to consider the benefits of supplementing your diet with calcium and vitamin D. Adequate calcium and vitamin D throughout life, as part of a healthy diet, may reduce the risk of osteoporosis.*

Caltrate^® can help you move in the right direction because it provides 1200 mg calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D3 in the convenience of just two tablets!

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility. It often progresses without symptoms until a fracture occurs, usually in the hip, spine or wrist. Osteoporosis can lead to pain, disability and, in some cases, even death.  

Osteoporosis is extremely common. In fact, one out of two women over age 50 will sustain an osteoporosis-related fracture in her lifetime.  Osteoporosis affects middle-aged and older persons, especially those with a family history of fragile bones in later years.

According to a report from the Surgeon General, Americans' bone health may be at risk. The report predicts that by 2020, half of all Americans over age 50 will be at risk for bone fractures.

Currently, hip fractures account for 300,000 hospitalizations a year. Lack of calcium and vitamin D has been identified as contributing to such poor bone health. Right now, the average American consumes far less calcium than the Surgeon General recommends. And many people aren't getting the recommended amount of vitamin D.

What is Vitamin D?
As nutrients go, Vitamin D is in a class by itself. That's because vitamin D is actually a hormone that the body produces in response to direct exposure of skin to direct Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from the sun. Vitamin D is classified as a fat-soluble vitamin, which means that vitamin D you make and what you consume from foods and dietary supplements is stored in fat tissue for later use.