Nature's Way Alive! Vitamin C
Brand: Nature's Way · Form: CAPSULE [E0159] On Market
Our assessment
The evidence shows that calcium is essential for your bone health and nerve function, but the safety picture requires careful attention. We recommend you get your calcium from food first and only use supplements like Nature's Way Alive! Vitamin C if you have a confirmed dietary gap [NIH ODS].
How it works
Think of calcium as a structural builder for your skeleton — it supports bone density and mineral deposition through a process called bone mineralization. It also acts as a nerve relaxant, supporting muscle relaxation and nerve signaling throughout your body [NIH ODS].
Safety profile
FDA received a total of 592,059 adverse event reports across all supplements. For calcium specifically, high intakes might increase the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer [NIH ODS]. 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]. Calcium can also reduce the absorption of several medications, including bisphosphonates, tetracycline antibiotics, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, levothyroxine, and phenytoin [NIH ODS].
Our recommendation
Start by assessing your daily calcium intake from dairy, leafy greens, and fortified foods. Do not exceed the tolerable upper intake level without your doctor's guidance. If you take medications for osteoporosis, thyroid conditions, or infections, take calcium supplements at a separate time to avoid absorption issues [NIH ODS]. Data not available for the specific side effect report count for this product.
AI-assisted analysis. Data sourced from NIH DSLD.
Supplement Facts
| Brand | Nature's Way |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Contents | 120.0 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