Focus Consumer Healthcare Garlique

Our assessment

The evidence shows that Garlique, which contains calcium, is most often used to support bone health. Our assessment is that while calcium is essential, you should be cautious about the specific dosage in this product and how it fits into your total daily intake, including from food and other supplements [NIH ODS]. Data not available for specific health benefits of Garlique itself.

How it works

Think of calcium as a building block for your bones. It works through bone mineralization to support bone density, and it also plays a role in neuromuscular relaxation, helping your muscles relax and your nerves signal properly [NIH ODS].

Safety profile

FDA received a total of 592,059 adverse event reports for all dietary supplements, though data is not available for the number of reports specific to Garlique. Some research suggests that high calcium intakes might increase the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer [NIH ODS]. High levels of calcium in the 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]. Calcium can also reduce the absorption of several medications, including bisphosphonates, tetracycline antibiotics, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, levothyroxine, and phenytoin [NIH ODS].

Our recommendation

Our recommendation is to check your total daily calcium intake from all sources before taking Garlique. If you are already getting enough calcium from your diet, adding this supplement may lead to excessive intake and the associated risks. Always take calcium supplements with food, and separate them from the medications listed above by at least two hours [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