Swanson Calcium Citrate 200 mg

Our assessment

The evidence shows that calcium is an essential mineral for bone health, but you need to be careful with dosing. This product provides 200 mg of calcium citrate, which is a well-absorbed form of calcium [NIH ODS].

How it works

Think of calcium as the building block for your skeleton. It supports bone mineralization and density, and it also plays a critical role in neuromuscular relaxation and nerve signaling [NIH ODS].

Safety profile

FDA received 592,059 total adverse event reports for this product category. High calcium intake may increase the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer. Side effects from excessive levels include constipation, nausea, weight loss, extreme tiredness, abnormal heart rhythms, and a high risk of death from heart disease [FDA data] [NIH ODS]. Calcium can reduce the absorption of bisphosphonates, tetracycline antibiotics, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, levothyroxine, and phenytoin [NIH ODS].

Our recommendation

Start with one tablet daily. Because calcium can interfere with certain medications, take this supplement at least two hours apart from those prescriptions. Do not exceed your total daily calcium needs from all sources combined [NIH ODS].

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