Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

  • Am I too young to take Citracal?
  • We recommend anyone under 18 years of age consult with their healthcare professional. The Institute of Medicine recommends boys and girls ages 9 through 18 to get 1300 mg of calcium per day.
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  • Are only certain ethnicities at risk?
  • This mistaken belief comes from a misreading of the common risk factors associated with osteoporosis which states that Caucasian and Asian women are at increased risk. African Americans are also still at risk when they go through menopause, just at a slightly lower percentage rate.
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  • Do I have to take Citracal with Meals?
  • You do not need to take Citracal with food. The calcium used in Citracal is calcium citrate. Unlike Calcium carbonate, calcium citrate is water soluble and does not need stomach acid to be broken down.
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  • Is Citracal only for Women?
  • No. Citracal is safe for both men and women to use.
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  • What if I have medical conditions?
  • Your health care provider is in the best position to make this decision with you as he/she will know your personal needs. Prior to taking Citracal, we recommend that you speak with a health care professional regarding your specific condition.
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  • Can I take Citracal with my medications?
  • Prior to taking Citracal, we recommend that you speak with a health care professional about it.
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  • Will my medications block the absorption of Citracal?
  • Check with your doctor or pharmacist, they will be able to advise you if your medication will block the absorption of Citracal.
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  • Does Citracal have an odor?
  • Upon opening the Citracal bottle it may initially have a slight odor.
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  • What is Osteoporosis?
  • Osteoporosis is an orthopedic condition in which there is loss of bone mass and a breakdown in the microarchitecture of the bone.
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  • The World Health Organization defines osteoporosis as a generalized skeletal disorder of low bone mass (thinning of the bone) and deterioration in its architecture, causing susceptibility to fracture.
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  • It is often called "the silent disease" because individuals feel no pain as bones gradually thin to the point where even a slight bump or a fit of coughing can cause a fracture.
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  • What is Osteopenia?
  • Osteopenia is a reduction in bone mineral density. Bone mineral density is rated with a "T-score". A "normal" T-score is -1.0 or higher. Osteoporosis is defined as a T-score of -2.5 or lower, and osteopenia is a T-score between -1.0 and -2.5.
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  • Can I take Citracal during pregnancy?
  • As with any dietary supplement, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding a child, contact your doctor before using this product.
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  • What are possible side effects of Citracal?
  • In general this product it well-tolerated.
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  • Is Citracal water soluble?
  • Only calcium citrate and calcium citrate maleate are soluble in water. All other forms of calcium must be broken down with stomach acid before your body can make use of them - this is why it is recommended that you take other forms of calcium with meals, when stomach acid levels are high.
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  • What is the best time to take Citracal?
  • It is impossible to generalize an appropriate time to take a supplement however, the calcium used in Citracal is calcium citrate, and therefore does not need to be taken with food/meal time.
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  • How much calcium do I need?
  • This is a quick guide to help you determine how much calcium in milligrams you should be getting daily:
  • Ages
    milligrams
    Birth to 6 Months 210
    7 months to 1 year 270
    1 to 3 years 500
    4 to 8 years 800
    9 to 18 years 1,300
    Women (19 to 50 years) 1,000
    Men (10 to 50 years) 1,000
    Men and women 51 years and older 1,200
    Pregnant/Lactating women 1,200
    Source: Institute of Medicine, dietary reference, intakes for calcium
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  • Can I take Citracal with a multivitamin?
  • We suggest you check with your doctor or pharmacist to advise you if Citracal combined with your vitamin regimen will exceed the upper limits of calcium intake. There is no additional benefit of taking more than 2,000 mg per day.
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