Berkley Jensen Calcium

Our assessment

The evidence shows that calcium is a foundational mineral for bone health, but the data also highlights important safety considerations you need to be aware of. For the Berkley Jensen Calcium product, we have specific ingredient and brand information that is listed as "See label," meaning the exact formulation details are not available in the provided data. Our assessment is based on the active ingredient, calcium, as documented by the National Institutes of Health [NIH ODS].

How it works

Think of calcium as a structural building block for your skeleton. Its primary job is bone mineralization, where it helps deposit minerals to maintain bone density and strength. Beyond your bones, calcium plays a critical role in neuromuscular relaxation, meaning it helps your muscles relax and your nerves send signals properly after they've been activated [NIH ODS].

Safety profile

Data not available for specific side effect counts from the FDA data for this product alone. However, the FDA has received a total of 592,059 adverse event reports across all products, though this number is not specific to this calcium supplement. The NIH ODS data warns that high calcium intakes might increase the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer. Elevated calcium levels in the blood and urine can cause poor muscle tone, poor kidney function, low phosphate levels, constipation, nausea, weight loss, extreme tiredness, frequent urination, abnormal heart rhythms, and a high risk of death from heart disease [NIH ODS]. You should also know that calcium can reduce the absorption of medications like bisphosphonates, tetracycline and fluoroquinolone antibiotics, levothyroxine, and phenytoin [NIH ODS].

Our recommendation

Data not available for a specific dosage recommendation, as the RDA is not provided in the data. However, before starting this supplement, we recommend you check the product label for exact dosage information. Because of the potential for serious side effects and medication interactions, it is essential to consult with your healthcare provider to determine if calcium supplementation is appropriate for you and to ensure you are not exceeding safe levels [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