Nature's Sunshine Trace Mineral Maintenance
Brand: Nature's Sunshine · Form: TABLET [E0155] On Market
Our assessment
The evidence shows that Nature's Sunshine Trace Mineral Maintenance provides calcium, a mineral essential for bone health. Our assessment: calcium is a foundational nutrient, but the data on this specific product is limited. The RDA for calcium is 1,000 mg for most adults, and getting this from food is generally preferred [NIH ODS].
How it works
Think of calcium as a building block and a messenger. It supports bone mineralization and density, and it also plays a critical role in neuromuscular relaxation and nerve signaling [NIH ODS]. Your body uses calcium constantly, so maintaining adequate intake is key for both skeletal strength and proper muscle function.
Safety profile
FDA has received a total of 592,059 adverse event reports across all supplements. For calcium specifically, high intakes might increase the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer. High levels in the blood can cause poor muscle tone, poor kidney function, constipation, nausea, weight loss, extreme tiredness, and abnormal heart rhythms [NIH ODS]. Calcium can also reduce the absorption of medications like bisphosphonates, tetracycline antibiotics, and levothyroxine [NIH ODS].
Our recommendation
Start by assessing your dietary calcium intake from food sources like dairy, leafy greens, and fortified products. If you are not meeting the 1,000 mg daily RDA, a supplement can help. Be aware of potential medication interactions and avoid exceeding the tolerable upper intake level of 2,500 mg per day from all sources [NIH ODS].
AI-assisted analysis. Data sourced from NIH DSLD.
Supplement Facts
| Brand | Nature's Sunshine |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Contents | 180.0 Tablet(s) |
| 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