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NOW Foods Calcium Citrate Pure Powder
NOW Foods' take on supplemental calcium, in a powder format that is easy to keep to day after day.
Why people take it
- Calcium is needed for the maintenance of normal bones and teeth
- Calcium contributes to normal muscle function
- Calcium contributes to normal neurotransmission
How to use
Take as directed on the pack, ideally with food and at the same time each day.
Good to know
- Format: powder
- Caffeine free
A food supplement, not a substitute for a varied diet and healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the stated dose. Keep out of reach of children.
At a glance
£0.17
per daily dose
Moderate
evidence for calcium
Our honest take
Pure calcium citrate powder: one and a half level teaspoons give 600 mg of calcium, three-quarters of the daily NRV. Citrate absorbs well with or without food and is gentler for people on acid-reducing medicines, but it costs about four times as much per day as NOW's carbonate powder. Most people who eat dairy or fortified foods do not need extra calcium.
- You eat little dairy or fortified food and need a calcium top-up
- You take acid-reducing medicines or find carbonate hard on your stomach
- You want a single-ingredient powder with nothing added
- You want the lowest cost per day: NOW Calcium Carbonate gives the same 600 mg for much less
- You take thyroxine, bisphosphonates, some antibiotics or iron without checking timing with your pharmacist
- You have had kidney stones or high blood calcium, without speaking to your GP
The science
Calcium· evidence: Moderate
Calcium is the main mineral in bones and teeth and is also needed for muscles, nerves and blood clotting. Adults need about 700 mg a day in the UK, which most people get from dairy, fortified plant milks, tofu, bread made with fortified flour and green vegetables.
Calcium supplements help people whose diets are genuinely low, for example some vegans or people who avoid dairy, and are sometimes prescribed with vitamin D for people with osteoporosis. For well-fed adults, reviews have found that extra calcium makes little difference to fracture risk.
Food is the preferred source. Different forms (carbonate, citrate) give different amounts of elemental calcium; citrate is easier to absorb without food.
Calcium is needed for the maintenance of normal bones. Calcium is needed for the maintenance of normal teeth. Calcium contributes to normal muscle function. Calcium contributes to normal blood clotting. (Applies where a daily dose gives at least 15% of the NRV, i.e. 120 mg.)
Typical dose: Adults need 700 mg a day from all sources (NRV on labels: 800 mg). Supplements usually give 200 to 1,000 mg.
Safety: The FSA advises that 1,500 mg a day or less from supplements is unlikely to cause harm. High doses can cause constipation and wind. Calcium reduces absorption of some medicines (such as thyroxine, some antibiotics and bisphosphonates) and iron, so take them at different times and check with a pharmacist. People with a history of kidney stones or high blood calcium should speak to their GP.
Research we looked at:
NHS. Calcium. nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/calcium
Bolland MJ, Leung W, Tai V, et al. Calcium intake and risk of fracture: systematic review. BMJ 2015;351:h4580.
EFSA NDA Panel. Scientific opinion on the tolerable upper intake level of calcium. EFSA Journal 2012;10(7):2814.
Ingredients & nutrition
Always check the pack you receive, as manufacturers sometimes update recipes.
How to use
Price per dose & how it compares
| Product | Size | Price | Per daily dose |
|---|---|---|---|
| This product | 227 grams | £12.99 | £0.17 |
| NOW Foods Calcium Carbonate | from £8.99 | £0.04 | |
| Osavi Calcium Citrate | from £16.99 | £0.33 | |
| NOW Foods Calcium Lactate | from £16.99 | £0.20 |
Cost per daily dose lets you compare packs of different sizes fairly.Worked out from our current prices.
Food supplements should not replace a varied, balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. General information, not medical advice. Speak to your GP or pharmacist first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition or take medication.
NOW Foods' take on supplemental calcium, in a powder format that is easy to keep to day after day.
Why people take it
- Calcium is needed for the maintenance of normal bones and teeth
- Calcium contributes to normal muscle function
- Calcium contributes to normal neurotransmission
How to use
Take as directed on the pack, ideally with food and at the same time each day.
Good to know
- Format: powder
- Caffeine free
A food supplement, not a substitute for a varied diet and healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the stated dose. Keep out of reach of children.
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