For instance, calcium carbonate contains 40% elemental calcium, and calcium citrate contains 21%. These contain different amounts of elemental calcium, which is the actual amount of calcium in the supplement. 3,7 If adequate dietary calcium is not achieved, then OTC supplements should be recommended.Ĭalcium supplements typically contain calcium carbonate (Caltrate) or calcium citrate (Citracal). Good dietary sources of calcium include almond or soy milk, cheese, fortified foods or juices, and regular milk. Pharmacists should educate patients not to exceed 1200 to 1500 mg per day from calcium supplements because that can increase the risk of developing kidney stones. 3,5 These total daily amounts include both dietary and supplemental calcium. Women aged 19 to 50 years should receive 1000 mg of calcium per day, and women 51 years and older should have 1200 mg of calcium per day. Additionally, there are supplements that contain calcium only and calcium plus vitamin D. Pharmacists play a key role here through counseling on appropriate OTC products to prevent osteoporosis, which include calcium and vitamin D supplements.Ĭalcium and vitamin D products are important medications that can help prevent osteoporosis, and they are found in multivitamins and other dietary supplements. The World Health Organization defines osteopenia as a bone mineral density T-score between –1 and –2.5 and osteoporosis as a T-score at or below –2.5. Regular muscle-strengthening and weight-bearing physical activities are critical for fracture prevention.

4īecause there are generally no symptoms with osteopenia, or low bone mass, and osteoporosis, they often go undetected until a fracture occurs.

3 Family education about bone health, especially during childhood, is critical because peak bone mass is acquired by aged 18 years. Women are 4 times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men, 2 and women 50 years and older are especially at increased risk of osteoporosis. Approximately 54 million individuals in the United States have low bone density or osteoporosis, according to the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF). Osteoporosis is a bone disease that involves decreased bone mass, low bone density, and structural bone changes that can lead to an increased risk of fractures.

Download caltrate bone health advanced