Perricone MD Nutriceuticals Skin & Total Body Omega 3

Our assessment

The evidence shows that this product contains calcium, a mineral essential for bone health. However, the data on calcium is nuanced and requires careful consideration of your overall intake. For most adults, the focus should be on obtaining calcium from food, with supplementation used only to fill a verified gap in your diet.

How it works

Think of calcium as a structural building block for your skeleton. It supports bone density and mineral deposition, and it also plays a role in neuromuscular relaxation, helping your muscles and nerves signal properly [NIH ODS].

Safety profile

The FDA received a total of 592,059 adverse event reports across all supplement categories. For calcium specifically, the data warns that high 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] [FDA data].

Our recommendation

We recommend you do not exceed 1,000–1,200 mg of total calcium per day from all sources (food and supplements). If you take this product, be aware that calcium can reduce the absorption of certain medications, including bisphosphonates, tetracycline antibiotics, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, levothyroxine, and phenytoin [NIH ODS]. Take calcium supplements at least two hours apart from these medications. Data not available on the exact amount of calcium per serving in this specific product, so check the label carefully.

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