As the human body starts to age, maintaining the density of the bones becomes a major problem. Women are especially susceptible to diseases that are associated with lack of bone density like osteoporosis. Osteoporosis happens when there is an imbalance between new bone formation and old bone reabsorption. The body does not form enough new bone – and/or too much old bone may be reabsorbed.
An essential element for normal bone formation is calcium.
Calcium is important because it is an essential nutrient that helps build and maintain healthy teeth and bones. Calcium also plays a role in muscle contraction, blood clotting and nerve function. Now, there is Caltrate, a calcium supplement on the market that claims to be able to help aging people and women counteract the health problems associated with low bone density.
Caltrate is supposed to provide and help the body maintain the calcium, vitamin D3 and other minerals needed to support stronger and more flexible bones.
Let’s review the pros and the cons of and the promises that the company makes regarding bone health.
What Is Caltrate?
Caltrate has produced seven different products that it claims are tastier and more convenient to ingest than other calcium supplement products in the market place. While there are many other types of calcium supplements on the market, most calcium pills are very big and hard to swallow.
Caltrate claims to be unique. Caltrate supplement pills are supposedly smaller than most of the other brands. Caltrate also strives to make ingesting their pills more pleasant by offering three delicious fruity flavors – as well as a variety of chewable options.
Caltrate has four different formulas available. Each formula is designed to suit a unique calcium need:
- Caltrate 600+D3holds calcium and vitamin D3 in a tablet form.
- Caltrate 600+D3 Soft Chewshas calcium and vitamin D3 in a soft chew form.
- Caltrate Gummy Bitesthat contain calcium and vitamin D3 in a gummy form.
- Caltrate 600+D3 Plus Mineralsincludes calcium and vitamin D3 plus four essential minerals in tablet, mini-tablet, and chewable tablet form.
How Does Caltrate Make A Difference In Bone Health?
Unfortunately, women seem to be very susceptible to the disease of osteoporosis. In general females have much less bone mass than men. The lack of bone mass can become a big problem for women as they age and the body stops repairing and regenerating itself. Despite the fact that women are more susceptible to problems related to bone density, calcium is important to people of all genders and ages.
Men can benefit from taking calcium supplements like Caltrate, especially as they begin to age. One in eight men over 50 years of age will sustain an osteoporosis-related fracture in his lifetime.
Calcium is also important for children. It can help them with proper bone growth and formation in their developmental years. In addition, it can assist with the repair of bone related injuries and fractures – problems that are often associated with growing children.
What Makes Caltrate Different Than Other Calcium Supplements?
Receiving adequate calcium as part of a healthy diet can be very effective in reducing the risk of osteoporosis. A severe decrease in bone mass will compromise the strength of the bones, which can lead to an increase in bone fractures.
As a result of the information that has come out in the public about the benefits of calcium supplements, there are a great number of calcium products on the market these days. But many of those products have not been clinically tested.
The makers of Caltrate claim to have been clinically tested – so much so that their product is among the most clinically studied calcium supplement brands in the world. And Caltrate 600+ D3 and Plus Minerals formulation contain the most vitamin D3 per tablet among leading brands.
Caltrate also provides calcium carbonate – the most concentrated supplement form of calcium there is.
Critical Facts About Caltrate
While Caltrate does market their product as easier to swallow than the alternative calcium supplements on the market, the pills are reported by customer reviewers to still be relatively large in comparison to other supplemental vitamin products.
Anyone who has a problem swallowing big pills should probably opt for the chewable versions of Caltrate products. Also, as mentioned previously in this review the availability of some of their products varies depending upon what it is that you want and where you go to buy Caltrate products.
The Cost Of Caltrate
The prices for the seven supplement and vitamin products that Caltrate offers can vary widely depending on where you chose to by them. What is odd is that there is no listing of the prices for any of their products on their website: www.caltrate.com/where-to-buy.
For this review, the writer had to go to Amazon.com, as well as a few other sites to get a price range for Caltrate products. Depending on what product you want to buy and where you choose to buy from, the prices can range anywhere from about $5.00 to $20.00 per item. This is the general price range before shipping and handling.
Caltrate does offer some products in stores, but which product might be available depends on the particular store. Finally, Caltrate does offer a $2.00 coupon special on the home webpage.
Are Caltrate Supplements Worth The Cost?
The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends 1200 mg of calcium daily for both women and men over 51 years of age.
The daily Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) recommended by the National Academy of Sciences for women and men are:
| Men | Women |
| 19-50 years of age – 1000 mg | 19-50 years of age – 1000 mg |
| 51-70 years of age – 1000 mg | 51-70 years of age – 1200 mg |
| 71+ years age – 1200 mg | 71+ years age – 1200 mg |
Osteoporosis, which is sometimes called “brittle bone disease,” causes the bones to become fragile and much more likely to break. The disease particularly effects women experiencing menopause and aging men.
In addition to getting enough calcium in your diet through food, supplements can help people absorb calcium effectively. It may be wise to take a calcium supplement to ensure the health and safety of your bones or those of your loved ones.
