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Beseha
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The 30-second answer
The NHS says adults need 700 mg of calcium a day, which most people can get from a varied diet, and 1,500 mg or less a day is unlikely to cause harm. A 2015 review found calcium supplements raise bone density by a small 0.7 to 1.8%, and the evidence that they prevent fractures is weak. If your doctor thinks you need one, the cheapest per day are Egy Ostoval at EGP 64 and EXTREME toffee at EGP 95, and for a known dose Puritan’s Pride at EGP 1,150.
How much calcium do you need?
- The need: 700 mg a day for adults aged 19 and over, and you can get all of it from a varied diet (NHS).
- The safe limit: more than 1,500 mg a day could cause stomach pain and diarrhoea, and 1,500 mg or less is unlikely to cause harm (NHS).
- Vitamin D: 10 micrograms (400 IU) a day is enough for most people, and the maximum is 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) for adults (NHS).
- Before you buy: count the calcium in your food with the supplement, and read about vitamin D tests in vitamin D deficiency in Egypt.
What does the research say?
- Bone density: a 2015 review (59 trials, ages over 50) found calcium supplements raised density by 0.7 to 1.8%, a small gain that does not grow over time and is unlikely to cut fractures noticeably.
- Fractures: another 2015 review: calcium supplements cut total fractures (relative risk 0.89) and vertebral fractures (0.86) but not hip or forearm fractures. In the lowest-risk-of-bias trials (4 trials) there was no effect at any site. It concluded the evidence is weak and inconsistent.
- With vitamin D: results were similar to calcium alone, for density and for fractures.
- Heart: a 2010 analysis of 15 trials found calcium without vitamin D was associated with more heart attacks (relative risk 1.27 and hazard ratio 1.31 depending on the analysis). That calls for rethinking the role of supplements, not avoiding calcium altogether; ask your doctor.
- Food: dietary calcium alone was not shown to prevent fractures in the review, but raised density by a small amount like supplements.
Products available at Beseha
Ordered by how clearly the dose is stated. The first four have known doses; the rest do not state amounts on the page, so we do not compare them.
#1
1,000 mg calcium400 IU D3
Puritan’s Pride Calcium Magnesium Vitamin D3 – 120 Caplets
3 caplets: calcium, magnesium and vitamin D3
EGP 1,150
EGP 28.8 per day · 40 days
- The page: 3 caplets a day = 1,000 mg calcium, 500 mg magnesium and 400 IU D3
- The page: with a meal, and do not exceed the serving
- 120 caplets = 40 days
Heads-up: 1,000 mg calcium is above the 700 mg an adult needs per the NHS, but under the 1,500 mg limit; count what you eat too
#2
650 mg calcium500 IU D3
EXTREME Calcium Toffee – 20 Pieces
Caramel toffee with calcium, vitamin D3 and K2
EGP 95
EGP 4.8 per day · 20 days
- The page: each piece has 1,500 mg calcium carbonate (650 mg elemental calcium)
- The page: also 500 IU vitamin D3 and vitamin K2
- The page: one piece a day; 20 pieces = 20 days
Heads-up: We do not repeat page claims such as “highest concentration” and “reduces arterial buildup”, as we found no source; the page says not for children, pregnancy or nursing without a doctor
#3
520 mg calcium1000 IU D3
Alive! Calcium and Vitamin D3 Gummy – 60 Gummies
Dairy-free gummies for adults
EGP 1,400
EGP 46.7 per day · 30 days
- The page: every 2 gummies (the serving) = 520 mg calcium and 25 mcg (1,000 IU) D3
- The page: 2 gummies a day with a meal
- The page: dairy-free; 60 gummies = 30 days
Heads-up: The page says for adults; children only after asking a paediatrician
#4
1,000 mg calcium a dayD3, K2, magnesium
Jarrow Formulas BoneUp – 120 Capsules
Hydroxyapatite calcium with D3, K2, magnesium and vitamin C
EGP 1,980
EGP 99.0 per day · 20 days
- The page: 6 capsules a day (2 with each meal) = 1,000 mg calcium
- The page: StimuCal calcium with vitamin D3, K2, magnesium and vitamin C
- 120 capsules = 20 days at the full dose
Heads-up: The most expensive per day; the page warns kidney stones and high blood calcium, and K2 means asking if you take warfarin
#5
Calcium + D3K1 and boron
Egy Ostoval – 14 Tablets
Egyptian tablets with calcium, vitamin D3, K1 and boron
EGP 64
EGP 4.6 per day · 14 days
- The page: calcium (phosphate), vitamin D3, K1, vitamin C, B6 and boron
- The page: one tablet a day after a meal, or as your doctor advises
- 14 tablets = 2 weeks
Heads-up: Ingredient amounts are not on the page; it contains vitamin K, so ask your doctor if you take warfarin
#6
D3 and K2One a day
Limitless Osteodense Original – 30 Tablets
A daily tablet for bone health and density
EGP 145
EGP 4.8 per day · 30 days
- The pack: with the combined effect of vitamin D3 and K2 for bone health and density
- The page: one tablet a day at the same time
- 30 tablets = 30 days
Heads-up: Calcium and vitamin amounts are not on the page or visible on the pack photo
#7
Calcium + magnesium + D1 to 2 capsules
Nature’s Way Calcium, Magnesium and Vitamin D – 100 Capsules
A 3-part blend for bones and muscles
EGP 1,500
EGP 20.0 per day · 75 days
- The pack: a 3-part blend of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D for bone health and muscle function
- The page: 1 to 2 capsules a day
- 100 capsules = 50 to 100 days
Heads-up: Ingredient amounts are not on the page or on the pack photo
| Product | Calcium per dose | Price | Per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egy Ostoval – 14 Tablets | Not stated | EGP 64 | EGP 4.6 |
| EXTREME Calcium Toffee – 20 Pieces | 650 mg (1 piece) | EGP 95 | EGP 4.8 |
| Limitless Osteodense Original – 30 Tablets | Not stated | EGP 145 | EGP 4.8 |
| Nature’s Way Calcium, Magnesium and Vitamin D – 100 Capsules | Not stated | EGP 1,500 | EGP 15–30 |
| Puritan’s Pride Calcium Magnesium Vitamin D3 – 120 Caplets | 1,000 mg (3 caplets) | EGP 1,150 | EGP 28.8 |
| Alive! Calcium and Vitamin D3 Gummy – 60 Gummies | 520 mg (2 gummies) | EGP 1,400 | EGP 46.7 |
| Jarrow Formulas BoneUp – 120 Capsules | 1,000 mg (6 capsules) | EGP 1,980 | EGP 99.0 |
Ask your doctor or pharmacist first if
- You have kidney stones, high blood calcium, or kidney or parathyroid problems: the product pages warn about these.
- You take warfarin or other blood thinners: most of these products contain vitamin K1 or K2.
- You take thyroid medicine, iron or an antibiotic: product pages say to separate them by 2 to 4 hours.
- You have heart or artery disease: a 2010 analysis linked calcium without vitamin D to more heart attacks.
- A child, or pregnant or breastfeeding: not all of these products are designed for them.
- You have diagnosed osteoporosis: a supplement is not a treatment, and your doctor decides.
Not sure which one?
Beseha pharmacists answer on WhatsApp. Tap the “Ask a pharmacist” button and tell them your age, medicines and diet.
FAQ
How much calcium do I need a day?
Per the NHS: 700 mg a day for adults, available from a varied diet, and 1,500 mg or less is unlikely to cause harm.
Do calcium supplements prevent fractures?
The evidence is weak: a 2015 review found a relative risk of 0.89 for total fractures, but in the lowest-bias trials there was no effect at any site.
Is calcium with vitamin D better?
Results were similar to calcium alone for bone density and fractures in the two reviews, and the recommended vitamin D intake stays 10 micrograms a day.
Do calcium supplements harm the heart?
A 2010 analysis linked calcium without vitamin D to more heart attacks (relative risk 1.27), which calls for asking your doctor, not avoiding calcium from food.
What is the maximum calcium a day?
The NHS says more than 1,500 mg a day could cause stomach pain and diarrhoea, and 1,500 mg or less is unlikely to cause harm.
When should I take calcium?
Product pages say after or with a meal, and to separate it by 2 to 4 hours from thyroid medicine, iron and some antibiotics.
Read next: vitamin D deficiency in Egypt and types of magnesium.
The bottom line
Start with food: 700 mg of calcium a day for adults. The supplement’s benefit for bones is small and the evidence for preventing fractures is weak, so if your doctor thinks you need one, choose a product with a stated dose, stay under 1,500 mg from all sources, and count vitamin D.
Calcium supplements at Beseha →
Sources
- NHS: Calcium
- NHS: Vitamin D
- Tai et al. 2015: Calcium intake and bone mineral density (BMJ)
- Bolland et al. 2015: Calcium intake and risk of fracture (BMJ)
- Bolland et al. 2010: Calcium supplements and myocardial infarction (BMJ)
This content is for information and is not a substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Prices and availability may change; the final price is on the product page.
