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.
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.
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.
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.* A recent study suggests that calcium may help reduce the risk of recurrence of colon polyps, a risk factor for colon cancer. While promising, further research is warranted and ongoing.#
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Just two tablets provide you with the daily amount of calcium recommended by osteoporosis experts. For best results, doses should be divided–one tablet taken in the morning, one tablet at night. NEW Caltrate® Gummy Bites should be taken four times a day, and can be taken at any time of day – with or without food.
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.
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.
Yes, any Caltrate® product can be taken with any Centrum® multivitamin.
Caltrate® non-pills forms do contain a small amount of sugar in the following amounts per serving: