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Bone Health FAQs

  • WHY IS CALCIUM IMPORTANT?

    Calcium is an essential nutrient that helps build and maintain healthy teeth and bones. Most notably, as part of a healthy diet, adequate calcium throughout life may reduce the risk of osteoporosis, a disease that's characterized by a decrease in bone mass and an increase in bone fractures. Adequate calcium throughout life, including during peak bone-mass-building years, as part of a healthy diet, may reduce the risk of osteoporosis later in life.

  • WHAT IS THE RECOMMENDED DAILY INTAKE OF CALCIUM FOR WOMEN AND MEN?

    The recommended dietary intake (RDI) of Calcium1, varies across age and gender with women’s calcium requirements increasing after menopause:

    Gender Age RDI

    Women

    18 years

    1300 mg
     

     

    19 – 50 years

    1000 mg
     

    50+ years

    1300 mg

    Men

    18 years

    1300 mg
     

    19-70 years

    1000 mg
     

    70+ years

    1300 mg

  • WHAT IS CALCIUM CARBONATE AND WHAT ARE ITS ADVANTAGES?

    Calcium supplements provide elemental calcium. Two common forms of elemental calcium found in calcium supplements are calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. Calcium carbonate is nature's most concentrated form of calcium, and the form of calcium found in Caltrate calcium products. Calcium carbonate yields about twice the amount of elemental calcium as equal amounts of calcium citrate. Calcium carbonate products generally come in a smaller number of tablets than products using calcium citrate because they have a higher concentration of calcium.2 

  • WHY SHOULD CALCIUM BE TAKEN IN CONJUNCTION WITH VITAMIN D?

    Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Vitamin D is either derived from the diet or produced by skin exposure to sun, which can vary throughout the year. Therefore, in addition to getting enough calcium in your diet through food or supplements, it is important to get enough vitamin D as well, to help calcium absorption.3

    The recommended dietary intake (RDI) of vitamin D varies across age:3

    Gender

    Age

    RDI

    Women & Men

    18-50 years

    5.0 µg / day

    51-70 years

    10.0 µg / day

    70+ years

    15.0 µg / day

  • WHAT IS OSTEOPOROSIS?

    Osteoporosis, often called "brittle bone disease," is a condition in which bones become fragile and are more likely to break. When you don't get enough calcium to support bodily functions such as muscle contraction and blood clotting, your body takes what it needs from your bones. Over time, this can lead to pitted, porous and brittle bones: Osteoporosis. The disease can develop from calcium deficiency, poor diet, tobacco use or lack of exercise. It occurs in both women and men.4

  • WHAT IS UC-II® COLLAGEN?

    UC-II® collagen is a patented form of undenatured type II collagen which is processed using a low temperature manufacturing process to retain its native structure and effectiveness.

    Type II collagen is the main structural protein found in your joints and is part of healthy cartilage.

    UC-II® collagen has been shown to reduce joint discomfort by working with your body's natural processes to improve joint function.

  • HOW IS UC-II® COLLAGEN DIFFERENT TO OTHER TYPES OF COLLAGEN?

    The most commonly known type of collagen found in supplements is hydrolysed type I collagen which has been broken down into collagen peptides and provides structure to your skin and bones. UC-II® collagen is different to this as it retains its native structure allowing it to interact with the natural immune system to promote healthy cartilage recovery in the joint. 

  • CAN I TAKE CALTRATE IF I’M PREGNANT?

    Talk to your health professional before taking Caltrate products if you are pregnant.

  • CAN I TAKE CALTRATE IF I’M BREASTFEEDING?

    Talk to your health professional before taking Caltrate products if you are breastfeeding.

  • HOW SHOULD I STORE MY CALTRATE?

    Store below 25°C in a dry place, out of reach of children.

  • WHERE CAN I PURCHASE CALTRATE?

    Caltrate products are available nationally from all major pharmacies including Chemist Warehouse and major supermarkets including Woolworths and Coles. Visit our where to buy page to visit specific retailer sites and buy online. 

  • IS CALTRATE HALAL?

    Caltrate Vitamin D Daily is Halal certified. All other Caltrate products have not been Halal certified.

1.     NHMRC NRV 2006 Calcium, Available at: https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/nutrient-reference-values/nutrients/calcium. Accessed Aug 2024.

2.     Healthline, Available at https://www.healthline.com/health/calcium#calcium-supplements. Accessed Aug 2024.

3.     NHMRC NRV 2006 Vitamin D, available at https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/nutrient-reference-values/nutrients/vitamin-d. Accessed Aug 2024.

4.     Mayo clinic, available at https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351968. Accessed Aug 2024.