Cal Chew

DESCRIPTION
Cal Chew chewable tablets, provided by Douglas Laboratories®, offer an easily consumed formulation of calcium and vitamin D specifically designed to maintain healthy bone structure and function.

FUNCTIONS
The adult human body contains approximately 1,200 g of calcium, about 99% of which is present in the skeleton. Bone is constantly turning over, a continuous process of formation and resorption. In children and adolescents, the rate of formation of bone mineral predominates over the rate of resorption. In later life, resorption predominates over formation. Therefore, in normal aging, there is a gradual loss of bone. Osteoporosis, a condition of reduced bone mineral density that can increase risk of fractures, affects a large proportion of the elderly in developed countries. Caucasian and Asian women typically have low peak bone densities, and therefore, are at the greatest risk of developing osteoporosis. It is generally accepted that obtaining enough dietary calcium throughout life can significantly decrease the risk of developing osteoporosis. Among other factors, such as regular exercise, gender and race, calcium supplementation during childhood and adolescence appears to be a prerequisite for maintaining adequate bone density later in life. But even elderly osteoporotic patients can benefit significantly from supplementation with dietary calcium. Vitamin D is a key regulatory hormone for calcium and bone metabolism. Intestinal calcium absorption ranges from 15 to 75% of ingested calcium. Adequate vitamin D status is essential for ensuring normal calcium absorption and maintenance of healthy calcium plasma levels. People living in southern regions of the U.S. can derive significant amounts of vitamin D from sunlight dependent synthesis in the skin during the summer, whereas people in the northern latitudes have to rely more on foods and supplements for adequate vitamin D status. Vitamin D also acts on tissue not related to calcium metabolism. Studies have found receptors for vitamin D metabolites in a wide variety of tissues ranging from the colon to the ovary.

INDICATIONS
Cal Chew tablets may be a useful dietary supplement for those who wish to have a more easily consumed source of calcium and vitamin D to maintain healthy bones.

FORMULA (#7848)
Three chewable tablets contain:

Calcium (Carbonate).......................... 1,000 mg

Vitamin D ................................... 400 I.U.
With fructose and natural orange-vanilla flavoring

SUGGESTED USE
Adults take 1 tablet 1 half hour before morning, noon, and evening meals or as directed by physician.

SIDE EFFECTS
No adverse effects have been reported.