Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Vitamin D is either derived from the diet or produced by our exposure to sunshine, which can vary throughout the year. So in addition to getting enough calcium in your diet through food or supplements, you must be sure to get enough vitamin D as well, to help calcium absorption.
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- Why should calcium be taken in conjunction with vitamin D?
- What is calcium?
Calcium is an element that occurs naturally. It is present in foods such as milk, cheese and other dairy products, in broccoli, kale and other dark green vegetables, and in salmon and sardines with bones.
- What is calcium carbonate, and what are its advantages?
Calcium carbonate is nature's most concentrated form of calcium, and what Caltrate® is made of. It's about 40% elemental calcium by weight so you need to take just two Caltrate® tablets per day to get the amount of calcium recommended by the Institute of Medicine for adults 51 years and older. With less concentrated forms of calcium such as citrate, you'd need to take more tablets to get the same amount of calcium.
- Why is calcium important?
Calcium is an essential nutrient that helps build and maintain healthy teeth and bones.* Most notably, as part of a healthful diet, adequate calcium throughout life may reduce the risk of osteoporosis, a disease that's characterized by a decrease in bone mass and an increase in bone fractures. Calcium also plays a role in muscle contraction, blood clotting and nerve function.*
Calcium is important to people of all genders and ages. Men would benefit by taking calcium supplements; one in eight men over 50 years of age will sustain an osteoporosis-related fracture in his lifetime. Calcium is important for children. Adequate calcium throughout life, including during peak bone-mass-building years, as part of a healthful diet, may reduce the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Recent scientific research has determined that even postmenopausal women can benefit from calcium intake as this can help slow the rate of bone loss.
- What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis, often called "brittle bone disease," is a condition in which bones become fragile and are more likely to break. When you don't get enough calcium to support bodily functions such as muscle contraction and blood clotting, your body takes what it needs from your bones. Over time, this can lead to pitted, porous and brittle bones: osteoporosis.
The disease can develop from calcium deficiency, poor diet, tobacco use or lack of exercise. It occurs in both women and men. - What is the recommended daily calcium intake for women and men?
The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends 1200 mg of calcium daily for women and men over 51 years of age.
The daily Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) recommended by the National Academy of Sciences for women and men are:
19-50 years of age–1000 mg
51-70+ years of age–1200 mg - Can women who take estrogen still benefit from a calcium supplement?
Yes, women experiencing menopause generally need increased amounts of calcium due to bone loss associated with menopause. While estrogen protects the skeletal system by promoting the deposit of calcium in bones, those taking estrogen typically still require a calcium supplement. Estrogen is not a substitute for calcium. More specific questions about estrogen should be directed to your physician.
- How is Caltrate® different from other calcium supplements?
Caltrate® products have 20% more calcium per tablet than most other leading brands of calcium supplements. Caltrate® has been clinically tested for proven absorption and is made with calcium carbonate, the most concentrated form of calcium. This means you need to take just two tablets per day to get the calcium and the vitamin D3 recommended by the Institute of Medicine for adults 51 years and older (1200 mg). Caltrate® is available in four different formulas to suit your calcium supplement needs.
- How well is the calcium in Caltrate® absorbed?
When Caltrate® is taken with food, the absorption rate is approximately the same as that of milk - about one-third. Exactly how much calcium is absorbed depends on the individual. Note: When physicians recommend 1200 mg of calcium, they're recommending taking 1200 mg, not absorbing 1200 mg.
- Is Caltrate® safe?
Doctors consider Caltrate® one of the most trusted, carefully developed calcium supplements that you can buy. That's why it's the #1 brand of calcium supplements in the United States and globally. And that's why it has been used in several major clinical studies assessing the benefits of calcium on osteoporosis and recurrent colon polyps.
- How many tablets of Caltrate® do I need to take, and when should I take them?
Just two tablets provide you with the daily amount of calcium recommended by bone health experts. For best results, doses should be divided–one tablet taken in the morning, one tablet at night. 2 Caltrate® Gummy Bites should be taken twice daily (2 gummy bites/dose) , and can be taken at any time of day – with or without food.
- How do I break these tablets in half?
Although the tablets were designed to be swallowed whole, if you need to break the tablets in half
Place the tablet score side up on a countertop. While holding one side of the tablet down with your index finger, press down on the other side with your thumb. The tablet should snap evenly at the score. - Can the product be crushed and sprinkled over food?
These tablets are designed to be swallowed whole; however, if needed, you can crush any of the Caltrate® tablets and mix them into applesauce or any of your favorite soft foods. If you have difficulty swallowing Caltrate® tablets, you may also want to try our Caltrate® Chewables, Caltrate® Soft Chews, or NEW Caltrate® Gummy Bites.
- Can this product be taken with a multivitamin?
Yes, any Caltrate® product can be taken with any Centrum® multivitamin.
- Do Caltrate® products contain sugar?
Caltrate® non-pills forms do contain a small amount of sugar in the following amounts per serving:
- Mineral Chewables – 2 grams
- Chocolate Soft Chews – 1 gram
- Vanilla Soft Chews – 2 grams
- Gummy Bites – 7 grams
- Why was the level of Vitamin D in the Caltrate(R) tablets changed?
Vitamin D helps to maximize calcium absorption; therefore the level of vitamin D in the Caltrate(R) tablets was doubled to help ensure users are absorbing more calcium.
- Why can’t you find the Caltrate® 600 product at your local retailer?
Caltrate® 600 calcium only supplement is no longer being sold at most retailers as this product has been discontinued for business reasons. However, there are several other Caltrate products that can be selected in place of this product to help you meet your calcium needs.
| Caltrate® Products |
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Calcium in its most concentrated form |
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| Nutrients essential for healthy bones* | |||||
Vitamin D3 to help maximize calcium |
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| Magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, boron | |||||
| Flavored chewable |
*These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.