Caltrate Product-Specific Questions

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How is Caltrate different from other calcium supplements?

Caltrate is made with calcium carbonate, the most concentrated form of calcium. This means you need to take just 1 or 2 tablets per day to get the amount recommended by osteoporosis experts. Caltrate has been clinically tested for proven absorption.

Caltrate is available in four different formulas to meet different nutritional needs, and every formula has 1200 mg of calcium per 2 tablets, the amount recommended by osteoporosis experts.

How well is the calcium in Caltrate absorbed?

The calcium in Caltrate is absorbed extremely well, approximately the same as the calcium in milk. Exactly how much of the calcium that is absorbed depends on the individual. Like milk, about one third of the calcium is absorbed by the body. When a physician recommends or tells patients they need 600 mg of calcium, that means you have to take in 600 mg, not absorb 600 mg.

How do I know if Caltrate is safe?

Caltrate is considered by doctors to be one of the most trusted, carefully developed calcium supplements that you can buy. Because of its very high reputation, Caltrate has been used in several major medical studies, including studies dealing with the effect of calcium on osteoporosis and recurrent colon polyps.

Will Caltrate help my osteoporosis?

Adequate calcium intake throughout life, along with a healthy diet and regular exercise, builds and maintains good bone health and may reduce the risk of osteoporosis. A study conducted with Caltrate found that Caltrate reduced bone loss in postmenopausal women aged 66-80 years old with a history of spine fractures.

Will Caltrate reduce the risk of recurrent colon polyps?

In a recent, well-controlled clinical trial, Caltrate was shown to reduce the risk of recurrent colon polyps, precursors of colon cancer.

How many tablets do I need to take daily?

Individuals who obtain only a small amount of calcium from their diet need to take 2 Caltrate tablets daily to achieve the recommended daily intake of calcium. Two Caltrate tablets provides 1,200 mg of calcium. The daily requirement for adolescents and adults ranges between 1,000 - 1,300 mg.

When should I take Caltrate?

Calcium supplements are absorbed best when taken with food. For best results, the dose should be divided, with 1 tablet taken in the morning and 1 at night.

I am having difficulty swallowing Caltrate tablets. What can I do?

You can crush the tablet and then mix the powder in a drink or one of your favourite foods. A pill crusher can be purchased from a local pharmacy.

Alternatively, you can cut the tablet in half along the bisect line. Try to cut the tablet evenly, as sharp ends may be difficult to swallow.

Caltrate Soft Chews (vanilla, strawberry and chocolate flavours) or Caltrate Plus Chewables are convenient dosage forms, easy to chew, and are a suitable alternative to Caltrate tablets.

Can this product be taken with a multivitamin?

Yes. All Caltrate products can be taken with any Centrum multivitamin.

Is Caltrate gluten-free?

Yes, Caltrate is a gluten-free product.

Does Caltrate contain peanut oil?

No, Caltrate DOES NOT contain peanut oil.

Is the calcium in Caltrate from oyster shells?

No, the calcium in Caltrate IS NOT from oyster shells. It is from a mined source.

How many calories do Caltrate Soft Chews contain?

Caltrate Soft Chews (vanilla, strawberry and chocolate) contain 10 calories per chew.

What is the sugar content in Caltrate Soft Chews?

There is a negligible amount of sugar in Caltrate Soft Chews. Caltrate Soft Chews (vanilla flavour) contain 2.2 g/chew. Caltrate Soft Chews (chocolate flavour) contain 2.1 g/chew. The strawberry flavour contains 2.2 g/chew. This equates to 10 calories per chew.

Do Caltrate Soft Chews contain palm oil?

Each chew contains a negligible amount of palm oil (~0.2 mg). Palm oil received negative publicity in the past because of its saturated fat content. Incidently, palm oil does not contain any cholesterol.

Does calcium have any side effects?

Gastro-intestinal related symptoms particularly constipation, bloating and sometimes diarrhea are the most commonly reported side effects for calcium. These are all of a mild nature and can be minimized by taking one tablet at a time with some food.

Why is there vitamin K in Caltrate PLUS?

Vitamin K has been added to Caltrate PLUS because it is an essential vitamin which is important for bones. The key functions of vitamin K are in blood clotting and for bone metabolism. Low intake of vitamin K has been associated with low bone mineral density and bone fractures.

How much vitamin K is in Caltrate PLUS?

Caltrate PLUS contains 20 mcg of vitamin K₁ in each tablet/chewable. Vitamin K₁ is the same form found in dietary sources.

If I take both a multivitamin and Caltrate PLUS daily, will I be getting too much vitamin K?

It is important to check how much vitamin K you would be getting from the multivitamin and Caltrate PLUS. For example, Centrum Forte and Select contain 25 mcg of vitamin K and that combined with the 40 mcg from 2 Caltrate PLUS tablets daily will provide 65 mcg of vitamin K. The Adequate Intake (AI) of vitamin K is 90 mcg for women and 120 mcg for men.

How much vitamin K do we need daily?

The Adequate Intake (AI) of vitamin K is 120 mcg for men and 90 mcg for women.

What foods provide vitamin K?

Vitamin K can be found in green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, broccoli and asparagus as well as soy bean oil.