Herb Pharm Rhodiola
Brand: Herb Pharm · Form: LIQUID, SUPPLEMENT FORM [E0165]
Our assessment
The evidence shows that calcium is essential for bone health, but the data on supplementation is complex. Our assessment is that you should prioritize getting calcium from food before considering a supplement, as high supplemental intakes carry real risks [NIH ODS].
How it works
Think of calcium as a building block for your skeleton. It supports bone mineralization and density, and it is also critical for neuromuscular relaxation and nerve signaling [NIH ODS]. Your body tightly regulates calcium levels, and when you don’t get enough from your diet, it will pull calcium from your bones to maintain critical functions.
Safety profile
FDA received a total of 592,059 adverse event reports across all supplements, though data specific to calcium is part of this total. The data shows that high calcium intakes might increase the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer. Very high levels in the blood 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]. Calcium can also reduce the absorption of several medications, including bisphosphonates, tetracycline antibiotics, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, levothyroxine, and phenytoin [NIH ODS].
Our recommendation
Our recommendation is to aim for your calcium needs through food first — dairy, fortified plant milks, and leafy greens are excellent sources. If you do use a supplement, take it with food and do not exceed the recommended daily allowance without a doctor’s guidance. Be aware of the medication interactions listed in the data, and always take calcium at a different time from those specific drugs [NIH ODS].
AI-assisted analysis. Data sourced from NIH DSLD.
Supplement Facts
| Brand | Herb Pharm |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Contents | 1.0 fl. Oz. 30.0 mL |
| Market Status | Off 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