Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body, and many people in the US don't consume enough of it. Calcium is "most known for its role in bone health, but it's also essential for blood clotting and the proper functioning of the muscles, heart and nerves,” says Anya Rosen, a registered dietitian and virtual functional medicine practitioner. Supplements that are third-party tested are sent to a lab where they are tested to ensure they contain what they say they contain and are not contaminated with specific high-risk, common contaminants. However, it’s important to note: Bristow SM, Horne AM, Gamble GD, Mihov B, Stewart A, Reid IR. Dietary calcium intake and bone loss over 6 years in osteopenic postmenopausal women [published correction appears in J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2020 Jan 1;105(1):]. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2019;104(8):3576-3584. doi:10.1210/jc.2019-00111 SmartyPants is sweetened with 5 grams of organic cane sugar and organic tapioca syrup, which may not be suitable for some, as it is 20 percent of the recommended daily added sugar limit for kids. Our dietitians put together this list of best gummy vitamins by considering a variety of products with different ingredients that would fit various preferences and needs. In refining the list, we considered these qualities.

Calcium carbonate is the most commonly found form of calcium and is often available to consumers at a comfortable price point. This bottle contains 220 tablets, and the cost comes out to just a few cents per dose. Calcium carbonate contains the highest concentration of calcium at 40% by weight, and this supplement pairs calcium carbonate with vitamin D3 in one convenient tablet. This supplement contains no added colors or artificial flavors and is gluten-free. Key Nutrients: Vitamin D, B vitamins, omega-3s | Servings Per Container: 30 | Serving Size: 6 gummies | Grams of Sugar: 8 grams Those with kidney stones: If you have a history of kidney stones or heart disease, you should consult with your doctor before beginning a calcium supplement.Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) is made by plants. Wild mushrooms and those grown under a UV light are the best source. We like Renzo's Hercules Calcium, which contains 100 milligrams of calcium (as tribasic calcium phosphate), 400 IU of vitamin D3, and 22 micrograms of vitamin K2. They come in grape flavored, dissolvable tablets that are easy for kids to take. While they do not contain any added sugar or artificial flavorings, they do contain the sugar alcohols xylitol and mannitol. We like that Renzo's supplements are third-party tested for purity and potency, so you can trust their products contain what is listed on the label, without any potential contaminants. Iodine: Iodine is a trace element that is vital for thyroid health. However, taking too much iodine can damage your thyroid. So it is important not to exceed the Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) for iodine of 1100mcg for adults. Our Experts Vitamin D gummies can be a fun and tasty way to get your daily dose of the sunshine vitamin; here are 6 of our favourites here at H&B. What are vitamin D gummies?

Meve – Holland and Barrett Vitamin D VEGETARIAN THANKS – 5/5 stars - “I didn't want to take any D3 product as it's not vegetarian and after researching I found this vegetarian Vitamin D - one of these offer a good standard adult daily dose and taste lovely as well.” Salvio G, Cutini M, Ciarloni A, Giovannini L, Perrone M, Balercia G. Coenzyme Q10 and Male Infertility: A Systematic Review. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021;10(6):874. doi:10.3390/antiox10060874 It’s surprisingly easy to overdo calcium supplements, especially if you consume a lot of dairy or otherwise get plenty of calcium from your food.

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We support supplements that are evidence-based and rooted in science. We value certain product attributes that we find to be associated with the highest quality products. We prioritize products that are third-party tested and certified by one of three independent, third party certifiers: USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab.com.We also consulted Anya Rosen, MS, RD, LD, CPT, and founder of New York City virtual clinic Birchwell, for her expert opinion on what to look for when choosing calcium supplements. We also like that Citracal Petites contain the digestive-friendly form, calcium citrate, so you’ll worry less about constipation. The two caplet serving size provides 400 milligrams of calcium, and can be taken with or without food. These pills also include vitamin D3, which works in partnership with calcium to maintain strong bones. Keep in mind that if you have increased calcium needs, you would need to take an additional pill at a separate time of day. One bottle contains 50 servings, so it will easily last you more than one month. Being active and exercising on a regular basis protects bone health. Weight-bearing exercises such as walking, jogging and weight training are especially helpful in preventing bone loss. Kamath A, Pemminati S. Methylcobalamin in Vitamin B12 Deficiency: To Give or Not to Give?. J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2017;8(1):33-34. doi:10.4103/jpp.JPP_173_16

Key Nutrients: Vitamin D, vitamin E, CoQ10 | Servings Per Container: 45 | Serving Size: 2 gummies | Grams of Sugar: 2 grams Look for a Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) certification, which confirms that the manufacturing facility meets FDA requirements. Third-party testing from folks like United States Pharmacopeia (USP) or the National Science Foundation (NSF) also helps. Vetted products only Thorne’s credentials are seriously impressive. Few brands have certification from the NSF, the FDA, and Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration. All Thorne supplements go through four rounds of testing. That commitment to excellence can give you confidence if you need to buy a calcium supplement for your bone health. The recommended DV for calcium is 1,300 mg for adults and children 4 years and older. However, individual calcium needs can vary based on your age and assigned sex at birth ( 10).

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Booth AO, Huggins CE, Wattanapenpaiboon N, Nowson CA. Effect of increasing dietary calcium through supplements and dairy food on body weight and body composition: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Br J Nutr. 2015;114(7):1013-1025. doi:10.1017/S0007114515001518 Hearty and healthy – Yummy gummies – 5/5 stars - “I bought these as my husband did not like the minty flavoured Vitamin D sprays. Craig WJ, Mangels AR, Fresán U et al. The Safe and Effective Use of Plant-Based Diets with Guidelines for Health Professionals. Nutrients. 2021 Nov 19;13(11):4144. doi: 10.3390/nu13114144. PMID: 34836399; PMCID: PMC8623061.

Your doctor understands your medical history and how much calcium you need to meet recommended levels. Be honest with them about your diet and your general health. An open discussion can help them determine how much calcium your supplement should contain. There are many types of calcium available in various forms. The most commonly available forms are: calcium carbonate, calcium citrate, and tricalcium phosphate, which all differ slightly in their concentrations, absorption, and possible associated side effects, as well as cost. Make sure you’re getting enough vitamin D. Your doctor can determine your level through a complete blood count (CBC). However, it’s important to protect children from eating too many gummy vitamins. Overconsumption can cause vitamin or mineral toxicities.While this is a common practice, research suggests that most people who eat a balanced diet do not need to take multivitamins ( 1). Magnesium plays an important role in the absorption and metabolism of both vitamin D and calcium. Specifically, magnesium is required to convert vitamin D into its active form, which is essential for optimizing absorption and utilization of calcium. Additionally, magnesium helps to maintain calcium homeostasis in the body by stimulating a hormone called calcitonin, which draws calcium out of the blood and soft tissue and into the bones. Also, the serving size is a bit larger at six gummies with 8 grams of added sugar, which may not be suitable for some—although this allows the company to fit in more nutrients, including a more robust dose of omega-3s and vitamin D, compared to some other brands. Those who get enough calcium from food: Again, a supplement would be to complement dietary calcium intake, so it’s important that your total intake does not go over the upper limit, which ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 milligrams per day, depending on your age. Over supplementation of calcium may cause constipation, lead to kidney stones or kidney damage, and even contribute to cardiac and respiratory failure. Just because a supplement is not tested by one of these three companies, it does not mean it’s a bad product. We recommend doing some research on the reputability of the manufacturer, and calling up the manufacturer and their testing lab to determine their protocols and decide if you feel comfortable consuming the supplement.