NOW Calcium Citrate Caps
Brand: NOW · Form: CAPSULE [E0159]
Our assessment
The evidence shows that calcium is essential for your bone health and muscle function. For a general adult, the recommended dietary allowance is 1,000 mg daily, but many people do not get enough from diet alone [NIH ODS]. Our assessment is that a calcium citrate supplement like this one can be a reliable way to fill that gap, especially if you have trouble absorbing calcium from food.
How it works
Think of calcium as the building block for your skeleton. It supports bone mineralization, helping to maintain bone density and strength. At the same time, it plays a key role in neuromuscular relaxation, allowing your muscles to relax and your nerves to signal properly after they fire [NIH ODS].
Safety profile
The FDA has received a total of 592,059 adverse event reports for products containing calcium. While many people tolerate calcium supplements well, high intakes come with real risks. Some research suggests that high calcium intake 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 [NIH ODS] [FDA data].
Our recommendation
Start by assessing your current calcium intake from food. The data is clear that calcium can reduce the absorption of several medications, including bisphosphonates, tetracycline antibiotics, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, levothyroxine, and phenytoin [NIH ODS]. You should take your calcium supplement at a different time than these medications, typically at least two hours apart. We recommend a dose of 500–600 mg per serving, and you should not exceed 2,000 mg total from all sources daily without medical supervision.
AI-assisted analysis. Data sourced from NIH DSLD.
Supplement Facts
| Brand | NOW |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Contents | 240.0 Veg Capsule(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