Natural Factors Ultimate Probiotic Senior's
Brand: Natural Factors · Form: CAPSULE [E0159] On Market
Our assessment
The evidence shows that this supplement provides calcium, a mineral essential for bone health. However, you should be aware of significant safety considerations before taking it. Our assessment is that you should only use this product if you have a confirmed need for additional calcium beyond what you get from food, and you must be careful about total daily intake.
How it works
Think of calcium as a structural building block for your bones and a signal messenger for your nerves and muscles. It supports bone density through a process called bone mineralization and helps your muscles relax and your nerves send signals properly [NIH ODS].
Safety profile
FDA received 592,059 total adverse event reports across all supplements. For calcium specifically, high intakes might increase the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer [NIH ODS]. Very high levels of calcium in your blood and urine 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]. You should also know that calcium can reduce the absorption of several medications, including bisphosphonates, tetracycline antibiotics, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, levothyroxine, and phenytoin [NIH ODS].
Our recommendation
Start by assessing your dietary calcium intake from dairy, leafy greens, and fortified foods. Do not take this supplement without first consulting your doctor, especially if you take any prescription medications. If you do use it, take it separately from other medications by at least two hours [NIH ODS].
AI-assisted analysis. Data sourced from NIH DSLD.
Supplement Facts
| Brand | Natural Factors |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Contents | 30.0 Vegetarian Capsule(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