Douglas Laboratories American Ginseng-V

Our assessment

The evidence shows that calcium is a critical mineral for bone health, but it requires careful dosing. Our assessment is that you should prioritize getting calcium from food first, and only use supplements to fill a verified gap in your diet [NIH ODS].

How it works

Think of calcium as the building block for your skeleton. It supports bone mineralization and density, and it also plays a key role in muscle relaxation and nerve signaling [NIH ODS].

Safety profile

Data not available for the specific number of adverse events linked to this product. However, FDA has received a total of 592,059 adverse event reports across all supplements [FDA data]. High calcium intakes from supplements might increase the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer. Signs of excessive calcium include constipation, nausea, weight loss, extreme tiredness, and abnormal heart rhythms [NIH ODS].

Our recommendation

Do not exceed the recommended daily intake without a doctor's guidance. Be aware that calcium supplements can reduce the absorption of medications like bisphosphonates, certain antibiotics, and levothyroxine, so take them at a different time of day [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