GNC Women's Ultra Mega Active Vanilla Creme
Brand: GNC Women's Ultra Mega · Form: POWDER [E0162] On Market
Our assessment
The evidence shows that GNC Women's Ultra Mega Active Vanilla Creme provides calcium, a mineral essential for bone health and nerve function. However, the data indicates that high calcium intakes may increase the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer [NIH ODS]. For most women, meeting your calcium needs through food is the safest approach, and this supplement should be used only to fill a documented gap in your diet.
How it works
Think of calcium as a structural building block for your skeleton. It supports bone mineralization and density, and it plays a key role in neuromuscular relaxation and nerve signaling [NIH ODS]. Without adequate calcium, your body will pull it from your bones, which can weaken them over time.
Safety profile
FDA has received a total of 592,059 adverse event reports across all products. For calcium specifically, high levels in the blood and urine can cause poor muscle tone, poor kidney function, low phosphate levels, constipation, nausea, weight loss, extreme tiredness, frequent need to urinate, abnormal heart rhythms, and a high risk of death from heart disease [NIH ODS] [FDA data]. Additionally, calcium can reduce the absorption of several medications, including bisphosphonates, tetracycline antibiotics, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, levothyroxine, and phenytoin [NIH ODS].
Our recommendation
Start by assessing your total daily calcium intake from food sources. If you are not getting enough, consider a lower-dose supplement. Take calcium separately from any medications listed in the interactions section to avoid absorption issues [NIH ODS]. Do not exceed the RDA without your doctor's guidance, and monitor for side effects like constipation or nausea [FDA data].
AI-assisted analysis. Data sourced from NIH DSLD.
Supplement Facts
| Brand | GNC Women's Ultra Mega |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Contents | 36.96 oz. 2.31 lb 1050.0 g |
| Market Status | On Market |
How to Read This Label
Supplement labels contain several key sections regulated by the FDA:
- Serving Size — The recommended amount per dose. Always check this — some products require multiple capsules per serving.
- Amount Per Serving — Shows the quantity of each nutrient in the product, typically in IU (International Units), mg (milligrams), or mcg (micrograms).
- % Daily Value (%DV) — Indicates how much a nutrient in a serving contributes to a daily diet. 5% DV or less is low; 20% DV or more is high.
- Other Ingredients — Lists inactive ingredients like fillers, binders, and capsule materials (e.g., gelatin, cellulose, magnesium stearate).
- Suggested Use — The manufacturer's recommended directions for taking the supplement, including timing and dosage.
Source: FDA Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide