Below is a list of common questions we receive about IntraCal™. Please click on any question to see the answer below. If you have any other questions about IntraCal, or would like further clarification on a question listed below, please contact us.

• Who discovered calcium?
• Are there any side effects from taking calcium supplements?
• How much calcium do I need a day?
• What happens if I have too much calcium?
• What are the symptoms of calcium deficiency in humans?
• How much calcium does a pregnant woman need a day?
• How much calcium does a vegan pregnant woman need a day?
• What foods block calcium absorption?
• What is a good calcium reading in numbers?
• Does carbon dioxide or carbonation in drinks leach calcium from your bones?
• Does raw spinach block the absorption of calcium?
• Can a heart defect drain your body of calcium?
• How much calcium and magnesium orotate can I take daily?
• What are the effects of calcium supplements used with statins?
• What does calcium do to you?
• How do I take my calcium supplement?
• How do I know if I am getting enough calcium in my diet?
• At what point in life do I need calcium?
• Are there any problems I might have taking calcium?
• What are the health risks from excessive calcium intake?
• Do antacids interfere with calcium absorption?
• Does calcium supplementation cause kidney stones?
• Does calcium help during childbearing?
• Should I take Vitamin D with a calcium supplement?
• Does calcium affect women who are going through menopause?
• Should I take magnesium with calcium and what ratio is best?
• What are the affects of radiation on calcium levels?
• What prescription drugs lower calcium levels?
• Does calcium or magnesium orotate have to be enteric coated to work?
• Why does the IntraCal label state that it contains 1100 milligrams of calcium orotate per serving but show that this only satisfies 12% of the Daily Value (DV) for calcium?

Who discovered calcium?

History shows that components of the calcium mineral were used as far back as 975 AD. These ancients used calcium in various medical applications, such as setting broken bones back into place. Calcium was also known by the first century Romans, who named it calx, a Latin word related to lime. It was not until the early 1800's that it was separated out as an isolated element. This finding occurred in 1808 by Sir Humphrey Davy, an Englishman who separated out the silvery-white powder using electrolysis, a processes that extracts the calcium from lime using a combination of electrical current and mercuric oxide.

Are there any side effects from taking calcium supplements?

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are rarely side effects from taking calcium supplements in the appropriate dosages. However, particularly when taking high amounts of the mineral, using low quality calcium or in the care of kidney malfunction, or prolonged use, the following side effects have been observed: Dizziness, irregular heartbeat, sensation of heat or hot flashes, sweating, tingling, stomach irritation, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, redness or pain. More uncommon symptoms include difficult or painful urination, lethargy and kidney stones. The body does have natural mechanisms that protect against extreme amounts of calcium. That said, if someone takes more than 4 grams of poorly absorbable calcium such as calcium carbonate daily, then the body is not strong enough to override these amounts, and can go into possible states of renal damage, and can experience the occurrence of calcium deposits. People susceptible to developing kidney stones may want to avoid large amounts of generic calcium supplementation. Calcium orotate is the safest and most effective form of calcium to use.

How much calcium do I need a day?

Different dosages may be required for different people. While it is usually a good idea to follow the advice of your natural doctor or herbalist, in general, the following oral dosages of highly bio available calcium are recommended: Adults and teenagers can take 800 to 1500 milligrams (mg) per day. Women who are pregnant and breast-feeding need more calcium, and it is recommended that they take up to 1200 mg per day. Children ages 4 to 10 should take a supplement of 800 mg per day. Children and babies below 3 years old should be provided with 400 to 800 mg per day. In the case of a calcium deficiency, treatment doses may be altered on an individual basis. You should not use calcium carbonate as a supplemental form of calcium. IntraCal™ is safe to use for teenagers and adults.

What happens if I have too much calcium?

If you have taken too much calcium, it is not uncommon to experience severe digestive upset, oral dryness, headache, strong thirst, loss of hunger impulse, depression, a metallic taste in the mouth, as well as extreme lethargy and weakness. You should consult your healthcare professional should you experience any of the above symptoms of calcium overdose.

What are the symptoms of calcium deficiency in humans?

Getting enough calcium is essential for bone health. The main symptoms of calcium deficiency effect the skeletal system. Late-stage calcium deficiency can lead to bone diseases such as osteopenia, osteomalacia, osteoporosis and rickets. In the case of osteomalacia, bones are lacking the ability to mineralize the bone matrix, making the bones soft and flexible. People with this condition may present with bowed legs, sunken or bulging chests as well as hyper-mobile joints. Osteoporosis can also come from a lack of calcium, and is classified as an extreme reduction in bone mass to the point where the body is not sufficiently supported by the bones, making it susceptible to breakage.

Extreme calcium deficiency can lead to humped spines, scoliosis, rounded shoulders and a reduction in overall height. More minor indications of calcium deficiency may lead to insomnia, muscle pain, involuntary muscular contractions, PMS and high blood pressure. Women with low calcium levels have also been shown to have more premature births, as well as increased chances of developing colon and breast cancer. Symptoms of calcium deficiency may also include irregular heart beat, poor appetite, lethargy, numbness and tingling in the fingers and convulsions.

How much calcium does a pregnant woman need a day?

Calcium is a particularly important mineral for women as it contributes to the development of the baby's bones and teeth. Pregnant women need more calcium that most women. It is recommended that they take at least 1200-1500 mg per day, but may require more. It is best to use calcium orotate with magnesium orotate while pregnant. It is also suggested to use Vitamin D3 which helps the body utilize calcium.

How much calcium does a vegan pregnant woman need a day?

When we think of calcium, we often think of dairy products like milk and cheese. However, there are many people who are vegan or lactose intolerant who can still get calcium from other food sources, as well as supplements. If a woman is is a vegan or vegetarian and pregnant, it is important to supplement with calcium at a daily dosage of calcium orotate of at least 1200-1500 mg daily. Vegetarians may also need more calcium than meat-eaters, as they eat more plants that contain oxalic and phytic acids, two chemicals that reduce calcium in the blood. That said, many vegetarian diets have less protein in them, which in turn leads to less leaching of bodily calcium in the process of digesting these heavy proteins. Vegans are the main group of people that need to supplement with calcium, as they are not eating any forms of dairy, which is a common source of dietary calcium.

What foods block calcium absorption?

Some foods prohibit calcium absorption as they hold calcium-binding components known as oxalates or phytates. These components restrict calcium absorption, and even though these foods may contain calcium, it is not bio-available (cannot be assimilated by the body). Principle foods that are high in oxalates that block calcium include rice, cocoa, spinach and wheat bran. More importantly, calcium is leached from the body when we consume excess salt, pasteurized milk, caffeine and animal proteins. Grains can also have this effect on calcium absorption. High fibre foods like wheat bran hold high amounts phytates and have a significant inhibiting effect on calcium in the body. Similarly, most of the negative consequences of eating wheat bran are outweighed by the positive effects, and should only be avoided in high amounts.

What is a good calcium reading in numbers?

For foods, good readings vary, but in general range from 100 mg per 100g serving, to over 1000 mg of of calcium per 100g serving. For example, Parmesan cheese has an amazingly high rate, at 1376mg per 100 grams. Sesame seeds have almost 1000 mg of calcium per 100g serving, and tofu has 372mg of calcium per 100g serving. Almonds have 266mg of calcium per 100g serving.

Does carbon dioxide or carbonation in drinks leach calcium from your bones?

The research is still foggy on whether sodas and other carbonated drinks leach calcium from the bones. It seems that the sugar content may be worse, in terms of its inflammatory response, than the carbon dioxide itself. Caffeine also acts as a calcium blocker, and may do more harm than the carbonation. A 2001 study from Creighton University found that soda-drinkers did lose large amounts of calcium after consuming the beverage, although this, again, may be from both the caffeine and sugar content and not the fizzy-ness. What is more, it has also been shown that decaffeinated sodas do not have the same effect of calcium-leaching.

That said, another more recent report from Tufts University in Boston found that the fizzyness in soda pop was indeed a problem in terms of calcium-leaching. Their research on a sampling of 1,413 women found that regular soda drinkers had significantly lower bone densities than women who only had a soda once a month. Other carbonated drinks did not have the same effect, again, leading us to believe that the problem could also be connected to the sugar/caffeine content, in addition to, or in place of the soda's carbonation. Researchers from the study believe that it could also be linked to the high amounts of phosphoric acid in colas. The body has to deal with extremely high amounts of acid when we drink these colas, and must counteract it with its own source of hydrogen ions which come from both calcium and magnesium. If these minerals are not readily available in the blood, the body will suck the calcium from our bones, a dangerous fact that may lead to imbalances in bone health overtime.

Does raw spinach block the absorption of calcium?

Even though spinach contains good amounts of calcium, it is also high in oxalates that bind the calcium. That said, most nutritionists agree that the benefits of eating spinach far outweigh the downsides.

Can a heart defect drain your body of calcium?

Individuals with a congenital heart defect may have a decreased ability to cycle calcium. Research shows that calcium is critical for the maintenance of cardiac function. As our heart beats it releases calcium molecules from an internal calcium storage pool into the muscles of the heart, which in turn, causes the important muscle to contract. Again, as the heart muscles relax, it is also the result of calcium's action in the structures of the heart. In essence, it is calcium that promotes our heartbeat. If the heart has a defect that causes it not to perform this process naturally, it may result to draining calcium from the blood and bones, and in this sense, "drain the body of calcium."

How much calcium and magnesium orotate can I take daily?

As a dietary supplement, you can take 1100mg of calcium orotate three times daily, and 550mg of magnesium orotate three times a day.

What are the effects of calcium supplements used with statins?

Statins are pharmaceutical drugs that are used to lower cholesterol, relax the blood vessels and reduce strain on the heart (initially). It is hoped that use of statins can reduce a patients' chances of a heart attack. Essential they are calcium channel blockers that prevent calcium from entering the heart through a process of relaxing the muscle cells around the heart. Examples of statins include Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Felodipine, Isradipine, Nicardipine, Nifedipine, Nisoldipine and Verapamil. Research shows that calcium supplementation can reduce the effectiveness of calcium-channel blocker drugs like statins. Consult with your doctor before supplementing with calcium if you are taking statins.

What does calcium do to you?

Calcium plays a major role in a number of the body's functions, including cardiovascular and skeletal health. Good amounts of the mineral also ensure strong hair, teeth and nails, and may prevent us from developing osteoporosis, or other forms of bone degeneration, overtime. Calcium also keeps our blood from overly clotting. It regulates the heart beat, stabilizes the nervous system, promotes good muscle function, and encourages the proper functioning of the cellular membrane. Another great benefit of calcium is its ability to act as a nervous system tonifier and sedative. Calcium also plays a role in reducing food cravings, lowering the inflammation response, increasing mood-enhancement and cognitive function. It can aid in preventing pre-menstrual mood-related disorders, anxiety, depression and irritability, and may even prevent colon cancer. However, calcium must be taken in the proper form. Calcium orotate is the most bioavailable and highest quality form and is recommended for general calcium supplementation.

How do I take my calcium supplement?

It is not enough to just take a calcium supplement. It is important to understand how to get the best benefits out of your mineral-investments. For this reason, we should be aware of how we take the calcium. For best absorption, supplements should be divided up, and taken two the three times per day. They should be taken 30 minutes to an hour after consuming food, and should not be taken before bed, or on an empty stomach, as this may cause heartburn or indigestion. There are foods that will help increase the absorption of calcium. These include proteins, foods with lactose, such as cheese, yogurt and organic raw goat milk or cows milk, as well as green vegetables such as kale, collards, mustard greens, broccoli, turnip greens, and bok choy.

In general, try drinking a glass (8 ounces) of purified water with the supplement, so as not to choke on the dryness of the capsule or pill. Try to take the calcium supplements at the same time(s) every day, and as much as possible, couple your supplementation with a diet high in calcium-rich foods. This will greater enhance absorption. The best supplement sources of calcium are calcium orotate, Calcium Hydroxyapatite, calcium aspartate or calcium arginate. Avoid supplements containing calcium carbonate.

How do I know if I am getting enough calcium in my diet?

By looking into what you are eating on a regular basis. Is your diet high in some of the good sources of natural calcium? If you are vegan or lactose intolerant, it is a good idea to supplement with calcium. Other foods high in calcium include figs, dark leafy greens, and broccoli. Try to get at least four servings of calcium-rich vegetables to ensure good amounts of naturally-occurring dietary calcium. In addition, in the modern world we rarely accomplish getting enough dietary calcium, so taking additional supplements is usually a good idea. What is more, if you are a smoker, drink large amounts of caffeinated beverages, drink alcohol regularly, eat heavy amounts of protein or eat processed foods, you will not be getting enough calcium from food alone, as these practices leach the calcium from the body. Additionally, exposure to toxic metals and radiation also increases our calcium needs. You may also consider consulting your healthcare professional to take a "Calcium Screening Quiz." There are several of these quizzes available online. To be on the safe side, supplementing with the product IntraCal containing calcium orotate is highly recommended

At what point in life do I need calcium?

You need calcium all throughout your life. It is needed to contract and relax the muscles, to ensure proper nerve function, and is critical for the formation and strength of the bones. That said, as we age, the bones lose the larger amounts of calcium we had in our younger years, causing an increased risk for osteoporosis and bone fractures. In general, after the age of 50, it is more challenging to keep the proper amounts of calcium in the bones, and particularly if you are a woman at risk for osteoporosis. Both women and men are at a higher risk for calcium depletion after age 50. Women are especially at risk after the hormonal changes of menopause. Some experts recommend that women begin taking calcium after the age of 35 to prevent this bone loss, as this is the age in which bones tend to naturally lose density. Similarly, women who are pregnant, at any age, should support the pregnancy with adequate calcium orotate supplementation.

Are there any problems I might have taking calcium?

Recent studies are looking into the correlation between calcium supplementation and the increased risk for heart conditions. While the evidence is preliminary, this may be one potential and serious outcome of supplementing. That said, this is mostly related to taking more than the daily recommended allowances and using a low quality form of calcium such as calcium carbonate. Other problems that may come from taking large amounts of calcium include acid reflux and rebound, where the digestive system overcompensates for the large amounts of calcium, which is a more alkaline substance by nature.

Calcium, taken in large amounts, may also cause mild bouts of constipation, particularly when taken with other supplements that bind the stool. Taking large doses of calcium may also cause a condition called hypercalcemia, where there are large amounts of calcium in the blood, leading to digestive upset, vomiting, nausea and even more serious nervous conditions. Large doses of calcium may interfere with other drugs. Avoid taking calcium if you are taking a tetracycline, quinolone antibiotics, alendronate, risedronate. If you are taking other types of bisphosphonate drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis, calcium can be taken, but only after 30 minutes of taking the medication. Individuals on calcium-channel blockers or beta blockers should avoid calcium supplementation. Calcium orotate is the safest form of calcium to take with the least risk of side effects.

What are the health risks from excessive calcium intake?

Excessively high levels of synthetic or low quality forms of calcium can lead to a blood disorder known as hypercalcemia. Excess calcium can greatly impair kidney function and even halt the body's natural ability to absorb other trace and essential minerals such as magnesium, iron, zinc and phosphorus. That said, this disease rarely comes from excess calcium in foods or calcium orotate supplements, and is more often an outcome of individuals suffering from hyperparathyroidism, cancer or high doses of vitamin D.

Do antacids interfere with calcium absorption?

Many Western healthcare practitioners offer antacids to their patients as a form of calcium supplementation, in addition to their temporary affects of remedying heartburn and digestive upset. Sadly for these individuals, antacids often contain a chemical form of calcium that is not bio-available for the human body. Moreover, they stop the activity of pepsin, a natural stomach acid that is needed in digestion. Also, antacids contain a form of calcium that can lead to an increased production of acid later, causing the stomach to release even more acid to make up for the earlier false acid neutralization that it provoked. In this sense, the body has more acid to deal with, and more calcium needs in the long run. The additional calcium may be available in the blood, but more often and over time, the body will leach the calcium from other sources, making antacids an unhelpful bandaid for a deeper digestive disturbance, and further contributing to calcium deficiencies. Perhaps most important to our understanding regarding antacids and calcium absorption is the fact that calcium requires acid for proper utlization. Studies have shown that people with osteoporosis who take antacids actually have more broken bones than women not taking the supplement. Another study on almost 10,000 women showed similar results linking antacids and poor calcium absorption. The bottom line is that the form of calcium in antacids is hard to absorb. If you take an antacid with foods that are high in calcium, the body is less able to absorb the calcium from the food.

Does calcium supplementation cause kidney stones?

The correlation between calcium supplementation and kidney stones is a complex one, but it can be said that additional high quality calcium orotate intake can lower risks for kidney stones. Large research studies have shown that daily calcium supplementation above 850 mg lowered the rate of symptomatic kidney stones. Other factors show that increasing the amounts of water we drink will also reduce the incidence of kidney stones. That said, we should be aware of the preliminary research that does link kidney stones and excess calcium. While it has been shown that dietary calcium can lower the rate of kidney stones in the body, research shows evidence that forms of supplemental calcium may increase kidney stones. Why is this?

Researchers believe it is related to a link between food-based calcium and oxalates, and the organic ability to bind these two together in the intestines. The women in the studies linking kidney stones to calcium supplementation were oftentimes not taking their supplements with meals and using low quality calcium supplements. Without the combination to oxalates, calcium alone will have to be eliminated in the urine, and thus lead to more kidney stones. The good news is that this can remedied by taking calcium with food. This will allow the calcium to bind to the natural oxalates present in the meal. The conclusion is that large amounts of dietary calcium lowers the risk of kidney stones, and that supplementing with quality calcium orotate in the right way (i.e. with calcium and oxalate-rich foods) will not lead to increased risk for kidney stones.

Does calcium help during childbearing?

Absolutely. Calcium is a necessary supplement for women who are having children, as well as women in the childbearing time of life who plan on getting pregnant. As the mother's body must prepare to create the child, she will have increased calcium demands that will be leached from her own body. A study from the Journal of the American Medical Association shows evidence that boosting calcium intake during childbearing periods of life helps mothers to not only supply their babies with the necessary calcium, but can also help to stabilize blood pressure in pregnant women. Pregnancy-related high blood pressure is a common and serious risk for women and their babies, and taking supplemental forms of calcium orotate can help reduce these risks.

Should I take Vitamin D with a calcium supplement?

Vitamin D is a critical component for calcium absorption. Research shows that it increases the body's ability to absorb calcium by up to 80%. Adults need around 400 IUs of vitamin D per day, and while some of this comes from direct exposure to sunlight, many of us need to supplement, particularly given the risks associated with overexposure to sunshine. And while many foods offer Vitamin D, most of us are lacking in this vital vitamin. A good source of Vitamin D is D3 serum.

Does calcium affect women who are going through menopause?

Absolutely. As a woman moves into menopause, her hormonal balances begin to change, and she begins to produce much less estrogen. Moreover, scientific research confirms that menopause leads to bone loss and a decreased ability to absorb calcium. Annual decreases in bone mass in postmenopausal women range from 3%-5% yearly. Research confirms that this lack of estrogen can be directly linked to increased risks for bone loss and even osteoporosis.

Similarly, just as calcium is depleted by the natural process of menopause, the symptoms of menopause (hot flashes, irritation, dryness), can also be improved through regular intake of quality calcium. What is more, studies show that a high-calcium diet and supplementing with calcium can prevent the bone thinning so characteristic of women who are post-menopausal.

Should I take magnesium with calcium and what ratio is best?

There is a complex relationship that exists between calcium and magnesium. This dynamic duo works together to regulate the nervous system, maintain bone health, and keep good muscle tone. In the cells of our nervous system, magnesium works to block certain chemicals from entering the cell at too rapid a rate. For example, magnesium keeps too much calcium from entering the nerve cell, overloading the system and hyper-activating the nerve. Without enough magnesium, the nerves become over-activated, over-contracted and tense. Without magnesium, in addition to calcium, our muscles feel sore, tight and can even enter into spasms.The best ratio for calcium and magnesium is also a complex question. While most combinations include a 2:1 Calcium/Magnesium ration, rates can range from 1:1- 4:1. Good ratios help to keep the body from calcification (high calcium storage), as well as promote good calcium absorption in the body. And while each individual may need a different mineral ratio for calcium and magnesium, in general, we can say that a 2:1 ratio us a good place to start. The product IntraCal contains a 2:1 ratio of calcium and magnesium orotate.

What are the affects of radiation on calcium levels?

When the body goes through an intense therapy such as the radiation involved in chemotherapy for cancer treatment, many of the minerals in the body are depleted, and it appears that calcium is particularly hard-hit.

The body can also undergo radiation exposure via x-ray imaging, living near a nuclear power plant, or even through the mild radiation waves in microwaves, cell phones and other electronics. Radiation damages the DNA in the cells of the body, directly lowering existing calcium levels. For this reason, if undergoing cancer-treatments involving radiation, or if you have been exposed to high levels of radiation through other means, you may want to supplement with calcium orotate. In the case of cancer patients, the University of Maryland recommends eating more foods high in calcium like almonds, beans, whole grains, dark leafy greens and sea vegetables. They also recommend taking a multivitamin containing the trace minerals magnesium, calcium, zinc and selenium.

What prescription drugs lower calcium levels?

Almost all prescriptions drugs negatively effect calcium levels in the body. These drugs act like low-grade poisons, disrupting the natural mineral balance in our system. Any artificial chemical in the body will change the mineral ratios, and usually require the production of excess stomach acid to break them down. Specifically, there are some drugs that are notorious for lowering calcium levels. Antidepressant drugs such as Amitriptyline, Imipramine, Elavil, Paxil, Desipramine, Nortriptyline, Serzone, Prozac, Zoloft, Pamelor and Trazodone may lower both calcium and magnesium in the body. Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) as well as estrogen compounds such as Premarin, Estratest and Prem-pro reduce calcium.

Anti-inflammatories used for the treatment of arthritis, such as NSAID drugs, Aspirin. Ibuprofen and Advil all deplete calcium. Corticosteroids deplete calcium. These drugs are anti-inflammatories used for many diseases such as dermatitis, aslluna, autoimmune diseases and allergic disorders. Examples include costisone, dexamalhasone, prednisone, triamci-nolonc, azulfidine and hydrocortisone. Many drugs used to treat heart disease reduce calcium. Used over the long term, diuretics and any drugs used in the treatment of edema, congestive heart failure, renal or liver disease will deplete calcium. This includes furosemide, spironolactone, Dyazide, Bumex, chlorthalidone and humelanide. If you are taking any of these it is highly recommended to take extra calcium and magnesium in the orotate form

Does calcium or magnesium orotate have to be enteric coated to work?

It appears that the micro-vortex enteric coating is some type of enrobing process that Nieper either pioneered or borrowed from the drug companies. From what I can gather, it is used to enrobe the mixture that is going to be encapsulated as opposed to having to go through the heat and pressure of the tabletting process. There are several, probably 4-6 companies online that are promoting this term, always in reference to Nieper. The stated reason is that the enteric coating prevents ionization in the stomach but then dissolves in the alkaline pH of the duodenum. The claims are that this greatly promotes the amount of mineral orotate that is ultimately received by the cell. However, we can't find any type of documentation that compares this method with taking calcium or magnesium orotate that is not coated on an empty stomach. Basically, we think that the coating is toxic to the body. This argument seems to be analogous to the one with enzymes, namely Wobenzym vs. everyone else. I think that the real question is the following: are all of the synthetic ingredients worth a little better absorption?

Also, we do need to beware of the term "enteric coated". An enteric coating is one that is placed over the tablet or granules to protect its contents. However, unless it says "pH sensitive" before enteric coating, the coating may be a simple protein or even vegetable shellac coating. Protein coatings do work to a limited degree, but can be digested by stomach acid, thus exposing enzymes to premature destruction. Sometimes, the protein coat survives the stomach, and unfortunately the duodenum as well, allowing the tablet to pass through the system undigested.

We contacted the Brewer library on this question years ago. The brewer library is the official record keeper of Niepers work. Apparently, according to them, there is no clinical study that was published regarding the use of the enteric coating, and they are not aware that any testing had ever been performed on the use of non-coated orotates. In fact, they stated that none of the orotate delivery theory really has any hard empirical data to substantiate it. It is all based on what Nieper wrote and his clinical observations.

It is very interesting though that the lady that we spoke with at the Brewer Library actually uses non-coated magnesium orotate for herself and recommends it to her friends. She stated that her friend actually had an erythrocyte analysis performed after taking 1 tsp. 3X daily of non -enteric coated orotate and found that her magnesium levels increased substantially. As far as she was aware, that is the only absorption test that has been performed using the non-coated version. She stated that Kohler may have done some follow up work, but apparently, no one really knows the answer because it really hasn't been studied.

We have used both versions clinically and have had a greater response rate with the non-enteric version in IntraCal™ as well as an increase in personal testimonials.

Why does the IntraCal label state that it contains 1100 milligrams of calcium orotate per serving but show that this only satisfies 12% of the Daily Value (DV) for calcium?

There are a few helpful facts that we must know in order to understand how the recommended Daily Value is calculated. The first is that the DV for most adults is 1000 milligrams of elemental calcium per day. The second is to understand that the key term is the word "elemental." This describes the calcium separately from whatever it may be bonded to in your supplement. It is a term that is used regarding the Daily Value because it can vary depending on the substance to which calcium, or any other mineral for that matter, is bonded. An important thing to remember is that the DV will always be calculated based on this weight regardless of the total weight of the type of calcium compound. In this case it shows us that the total weight of calcium orotate (calcium plus orotic acid) is 1100 milligrams and that amount contains roughly 120 milligrams of elemental calcium, 120 mgs. elemental calcium/1000 mgs. calcium orotate = 12%. It is important to note that there is no DV for calcium orotate or for any other specific form of calcium, i.e. calcium carbonate, calcium aspartate, calcium ascorbate, etc., but only for elemental calcium.

The part of this equation that is frequently overlooked and that explains why IntraCal is made using a form of calcium containing a relatively low elemental weight is absorption and utilization in the body. This is crucial because dietary supplements are taken for the positive influence they may have on the body and not simply for the exercise of swallowing a pill. Calcium orotate is generally considered to be the most absorbable form of calcium available with an estimate of approximately 90% absorption rate from the GI tract. Compare this to an estimated rate of 5-50% for many of the more common forms of supplemental calcium, and it is easy to see that simply taking more elemental calcium may not be the answer to supplying the body with adequate usable calcium. This may truly be a case of less is more; that is, of course, as long as the less is the more efficient and bio-available form that your body can readily use.

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