Barlean's Organic Oils Omega Swirl Strawberry Banana

Our assessment

The evidence shows that Barlean's Organic Oils Omega Swirl Strawberry Banana contains calcium, a mineral essential for your bone health and muscle function. Based on the data provided, we can evaluate how this ingredient supports your body and what you need to know about safety.

How it works

Think of calcium as a structural builder for your skeleton and a signal manager for your nerves. It supports bone density and mineral deposition, which is critical for maintaining strong bones as you age. It also aids in neuromuscular relaxation, helping your muscles relax and your nerves send proper signals [NIH ODS].

Safety profile

The FDA has received a total of 592,059 adverse event reports across all dietary supplements, though specific reports for this product are not isolated in the data. For calcium specifically, high intakes might increase the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer. Very 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].

Our recommendation

Start by checking your total calcium intake from food and other supplements to avoid exceeding safe levels. Be aware that calcium can reduce the absorption of several medications, including bisphosphonates, tetracycline antibiotics, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, levothyroxine, and phenytoin [NIH ODS]. Data on the specific omega-3 content of this product is not available, so we cannot assess its benefits in that area. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

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