Nature's Sunshine Magnesium
Brand: Nature's Sunshine · Form: TABLET [E0155]
Our assessment
The evidence shows that calcium is a foundational mineral for your health, but it requires careful management. Our assessment: while calcium is essential for strong bones and proper nerve function, the data reveals significant risks if you take too much, particularly from supplements. You should not assume that more is better [NIH ODS].
How it works
Think of calcium as a building block and a signaler in your body. It supports bone density through a process called bone mineralization, helping to keep your skeleton strong. It also plays a critical role in neuromuscular relaxation, meaning it helps your muscles relax and your nerves send signals properly after they fire [NIH ODS].
Safety profile
Safety is a serious concern with calcium supplements. The FDA has received a total of 592,059 adverse event reports across all supplement categories. For calcium specifically, high intakes might increase the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer. Taking too much can lead to high levels of calcium in your blood and urine, which 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] [FDA data].
Our recommendation
Start by getting your calcium from food first, as the risks are linked to high-dose supplements. If you do take a supplement, be aware that calcium can reduce the absorption of several medications, including bisphosphonates, tetracycline antibiotics, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, levothyroxine, and phenytoin. Take these medications at a different time of day than your calcium supplement [NIH ODS]. Data not available for specific dosage for this product.
AI-assisted analysis. Data sourced from NIH DSLD.
Supplement Facts
| Brand | Nature's Sunshine |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Contents | 180.0 Tablet(s) |
| Market Status | Off 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