Berkley & Jensen Calcium Citrate

Our assessment

The evidence shows that calcium is essential for your bone health, but supplementation requires careful consideration. Berkley & Jensen Calcium Citrate provides a form of calcium that is well-absorbed, even when taken without food. Our assessment is that this supplement can be a valuable tool for meeting your calcium needs, but you must be mindful of your total daily intake from all sources [NIH ODS].

How it works

Think of calcium as the primary building block for your skeleton. It supports bone mineralization and density, which is critical for preventing fractures as you age. Additionally, calcium plays a key role in neuromuscular relaxation, helping your muscles relax and your nerves signal properly after contraction [NIH ODS].

Safety profile

The FDA has received a total of 592,059 adverse event reports for products containing this ingredient. The data indicates that high calcium intakes might increase the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer. 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 [FDA data] [NIH ODS].

Our recommendation

We recommend you first calculate your daily calcium intake from food. Most adults need 1,000 to 1,200 mg per day. If you fall short, a calcium citrate supplement like this one is a good choice. However, do not exceed the upper limit of 2,000 mg per day from all sources combined. Also, be aware that calcium can reduce the absorption of several medications, including bisphosphonates, tetracycline antibiotics, and levothyroxine, so take them at separate times [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