NOW Sports Branched Chain Amino Acids
Brand: NOW Sports · Form: CAPSULE [E0159]
Our assessment
The evidence shows that calcium is a critical mineral for your bone health, but the data requires careful attention to dosing and potential risks. Our assessment: you can benefit from calcium, but you must be aware of the safety limits and medication interactions to use it wisely [NIH ODS].
How it works
Think of calcium as a structural builder for your skeleton. It supports bone density and mineral deposition, and it also plays a key role in neuromuscular relaxation, helping your muscles and nerves signal properly [NIH ODS].
Safety profile
The FDA has received 592,059 total adverse event reports related to supplements. For calcium specifically, high intakes might increase the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer. High levels in your blood and urine can lead to 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]. Calcium can also reduce the absorption of several medications, including bisphosphonates, tetracycline antibiotics, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, levothyroxine, and phenytoin [NIH ODS].
Our recommendation
Start by getting calcium from food sources when possible. If you choose a supplement, be cautious with total daily intake and separate it from your medications by at least two hours. Always check with your doctor before starting, especially if you have kidney issues or take any of the listed medications [NIH ODS].
AI-assisted analysis. Data sourced from NIH DSLD.
Supplement Facts
| Brand | NOW Sports |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Contents | 240.0 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