The Vitamin Shoppe Calcium 1000 1000 mg
Brand: The Vitamin Shoppe · Form: SOFTGEL CAPSULE [E0161] On Market
Our assessment
The evidence shows that calcium is essential for bone health and muscle function, but you need to be careful with dosing and timing. The Vitamin Shoppe Calcium 1000 provides 1000 mg per serving, which is a significant dose. Our assessment is that this supplement can be effective for supporting your bone density, but you must account for your total daily intake from food and other supplements to avoid exceeding safe upper limits [NIH ODS].
How it works
Think of calcium as a structural building block for your skeleton. It supports bone mineralization and mineral deposition, which is how your body keeps bones dense and strong. It also plays a key role in neuromuscular relaxation, helping your muscles relax and your nerves signal properly after contraction [NIH ODS].
Safety profile
FDA has received 592,059 total adverse event reports across all supplements. Regarding calcium specifically, some research suggests that high intakes might increase the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer. Side effects from high calcium levels in the blood and urine include 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]. Calcium can also reduce the absorption of several medications, including bisphosphonates, tetracycline antibiotics, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, levothyroxine, and phenytoin [NIH ODS].
Our recommendation
Start by calculating your current calcium intake from food — most adults get 300–500 mg from diet alone. You may not need the full 1000 mg supplement. Take this supplement with food to improve absorption, and separate it from any thyroid medication or antibiotics by at least 4 hours. Do not exceed 2,000–2,500 mg total daily from all sources without speaking to your doctor [NIH ODS].
AI-assisted analysis. Data sourced from NIH DSLD.
Supplement Facts
| Brand | The Vitamin Shoppe |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Contents | 100.0 Softgel(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