Description

Twinlab’s Calcium Lactate Caps provides the chelated form of calcium with a precise amount of magnesium to maximize absorption. Calcium is the most important and abundant mineral in our body. This essential mineral comprises nearly two percent of the average adult’s body weight. Over 99 percent of calcium is stored in our bones and teeth, while the remaining one percent is found in bodily fluids, tissues and cells. Calcium is important for bone health, as well as normal muscle and nerve function and fat mobilization.

By promoting healthy, strong bones, calcium helps to prevent osteoporosis and ensure a fracture-free future. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that affects over 8 million American women and leads to 1.5 million fractures a year (as well as spinal deformities).

Twinlab’s calcium is bonded with natural citric acid, creating a powerfully effective chelated form of calcium. Research suggests that calcium citrate is the most easily absorbed form of calcium in the body. Calcium citrate is also less likely to cause constipation, a possible side effect of certain forms of calcium. For these reasons, calcium citrate is recommended by many health experts.

Twinlab’s innovative formula also includes magnesium, which works synergistically together with calcium citrate to build strong bones. Magnesium helps regulate calcium throughout the body and in bone. It also regulates hormones involved in bone health, such as vitamin D and parathyroid hormone. Along with calcium, magnesium maintains normal heart function, blood pressure and nerve transmission.
Taking a daily calcium and magnesium supplement, such Twinlab’s Calcium Citrate Caps, supplies the necessary nutrients to keep bones strong and prevent bone problems such as osteoporosis and fractures.

Pros

Twinlab’s formula effectively provides calcium and magnesium in a capsule form that is readily absorbed by the body. If calcium and magnesium were in tablet form, it would require binders to hold them together. These binders often don’t completely dissolve in the stomach, so that calcium and magnesium may not be completely absorbed. Twinlab’s Calcium Citrate Caps are more easily digested and easier to swallow than tablets, and free of most common allergens.

Studies have found that calcium and magnesium have numerous benefits including:

• Improves and maintains bone health
• Supports bone mineral metabolism and bone growth
• Increases bone mass in children and helps prevent rickets
• Slows bone loss in adults and helps prevent osteoporosis
• Reduces the risk of bone fractures
• Prevents tooth and gum disease and tooth loss
• Relieves symptoms of PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome)
• Protects against preeclamspia (pregnancy-induced high blood pressure)
• Reduces the risk of colon, breast and prostate cancers
• Prevents obesity, muscle cramps and insomnia
• Maintains normal heart function, blood pressure and nerve transmission

Cons

High intakes of calcium (over 2,500 mg daily) over an extended duration may cause constipation, bloating or an upset stomach, prolonged vomiting, kidney toxicity, kidney stones, irregular heartbeat, loss of appetite, mental confusion, lethargy, and mineral imbalances (lack of zinc or iron absorption). Individuals at risk for calcium overdose include people with prostate cancer, kidney ailments or hyperparathyroidism. Due to these increased risks, calcium supplementation is not recommended in these patients.

Twinlab’s Calcium Citrate Caps contain magnesium oxide, the most commonly used but least absorbed form of magnesium. High doses of magnesium (over 350 mg daily), which may be added to laxatives and antacids, can promote adverse effects such as diarrhea, mental status changes, nausea, muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, extremely low blood pressure and irregular heartbeat. Individuals at risk for magnesium overdose include people with heart or kidney disease and the elderly.

Be aware that some drugs may interact with calcium and magnesium including:

• Alendronate and tiludronate (osteoporosis medication)
• Antacids
• Antibiotics
• Blood pressure medications
• Cholesterol-lowering medications
• Corticosteroids
• Diabetic Medications
• Digoxin (irregular heartbeat medication)
• Diuretics
• Estrogens
• Gentamicin (antibiotic)
• Laxatives
• Levothyroxine
• Metformin (medication used to treat type II diabetes)
• Penicillamine
• Quinolone antibiotics
• Seizure medications

Is it for you?

The FDA has approved the health claim that calcium protects bone health. So if you wish to keep your bones strong, prevent osteoporosis and lower your fracture risk, Twinlab’s Calcium Citrate Caps is worth considering. Or, if you’re an athlete who frequently gets sports-related muscle cramps, this supplement may offer relief. However, elderly people or individuals with hyperparathyroidism, chronic kidney disease, kidney stones, heart disease or prostate cancer should not take this supplement without consulting a physician.

Dosage and Directions

Take 2 capsules daily with water, preferably with a meal. May take a dose at bedtime to provide nutritional support for tense muscles and insomnia. Keep tightly closed in a cool, dry place.