In addition, gummy vitamins are easy to chew and can usually be taken by people who have difficulty swallowing pills. SmartyPants does use beef-derived gelatin, making this product unsuitable for vegans or those following a kosher lifestyle.

Our team works hard to be transparent about why we recommend certain supplements; you can read more about our dietary supplement methodology to get familiar with the process. Calcium relies on vitamin D for absorption, and so it’s not uncommon to see calcium supplements containing vitamin D as well. Vitamin K and magnesium, which also helps promote calcium deposition in bone, might also be found in the same supplement. Aside from focusing on your food choices and being mindful of what supplements you take, how else can you make sure you’re getting enough calcium without going overboard? This is especially concerning for young children who may view gummy vitamins as candy and eat more than the recommended dosage. Since kids need lower amounts of nutrients than adults, they are more susceptible to vitamin and mineral toxicity ( 18).

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The good news is providers can actually see it using a calcium-score screening (a type of CT scan that spots calcium in the arteries).

Vitamin D and calcium are two different nutrients. Calcium is a mineral found naturally in dairy products and leafy greens. Meanwhile, vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is produced by the skin in response to sun exposure ( 5, 10).Key Nutrients: Vitamin D, vitamin E, CoQ10 | Servings Per Container: 45 | Serving Size: 2 gummies | Grams of Sugar: 2 grams Marcinowska-Suchowierska E, Kupisz-Urbańska M, Łukaszkiewicz J, Płudowski P, Jones G. Vitamin D Toxicity-A Clinical Perspective. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2018;9:550. doi:10.3389/fendo.2018.00550 Keum, N., Aune, D., Greenwood, D.C., Ju, W. and Giovannucci, E.L. (2014), Calcium intake and colorectal cancer risk: Dose–response meta-analysis of prospective observational studies. Int. J. Cancer, 135: 1940-1948. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.28840 Thorne also keeps its supplements free of common allergens, including gluten, soy, dairy, yeast, and shellfish. Vegans should steer clear, though, because the vitamin D comes from lanolin sourced from sheep’s wool.

A note of caution: Recent research has linked calcium supplements to increased risk of cardiovascular disease — a 15 percent increase in risk in healthy postmenopausal women who supplemented with 1,000 mg or more of calcium per day, to be exact. But don’t toss your calcium supplements out just yet. Dr. Williams and cardiologist Leslie Cho, MD, explain what happens when calcium levels creep too high — and how to strike a healthy balance. Can you take too much calcium? Yao X, Hu J, Kong X, Zhu Z. Association between dietary calcium intake and bone mineral density in older adults. Ecol Food Nutr. 2021;60(1):89-100. doi:10.1080/03670244.2020.1801432

Exercise to Strengthen Bones

Jenco M. AHA: Limit children's sugar consumption to 6 teaspoons per day. American Academy of Pediatrics. These capsules are free from common irritants and allergens — including wheat, eggs, tree nuts, and peanuts — as well as artificial colors, preservatives, flavors, and sweeteners. They don’t contain any unnecessary binders, cosmetic coatings, or shellacs, either. Who wouldn’t want to take their supplements when they are chewable and taste great? Costco’s Signature brand, Kirkland, has delivered a product that is easy to consume, comes in two tasty flavors (orange and cherry). It is also USP Verified, so you can trust it contains what is listed on the label. In fact, high calcium levels ( hypercalcemia)can cause a variety of issues that range in severity from headaches to life-threatening heart problems.