TruCal Calcium vs Calcium Citrate

[bobt1 29]

Anyone knowledgeable on vitamins/supplements have any feedback on TruCal Calcium compared to calcium citrate?

The ProCare Health website claims TruCal bioavailability equal or similar to calcium citrate, any opinions?

I am switching to their Multivitamins because it is one capsule a day and considering their calcium supplement as well.

[Alex Brecher 10,484]

This is a great question! I don't think there have been studies comparing TruCal Calcium vs calcium citrate. The only study I've come across is one comparing TruCal to calcium carbonate (attached.) It seems to be a very good source of calcium IMO. I'm a little biased since we sell all ProCare Health products in the BariatricPal Store. I personally LOVE and use their Sea Salt Caramel calcium chews.

trucal_article_2.pdf

[Missouri-Lee's Summit 1,256]

TruCal isn't just straight calcium citrate. It contains lysine, magnesium, and Vit D3 to aid absorption.

[Alex Brecher 10,484]

On 6/30/2018 at 6:45 PM, Missouri-Lee's Summit said:

TruCal isn't just straight calcium citrate. It contains lysine, magnesium, and Vit D3 to aid absorption.

I don't think this is the same Trucal as the one used in the ProCare supplements.

[Alex Brecher 10,484]

I was able to get you some more information about TruCal from the manufacturer.

• TruCal is derived from Milk, removing Water, sugars (lactose), fats leaving just the minerals.
• TruCal contains braid array of minerals for bone health such as Calcium, phosphate, magnesium, zinc etc. calcium citrate only has calcium
• TruCal Absorbs better than citrate based off of clinical study.
• Clinical study shows that TruCal has better absorption compared to that of calcium carbonate. Calcium Citrate and Carbonate appear to have the same levels of absorption when taken with foods.
• Clinical study shows dosages are taken with food.
• Spec sheet shows that absorbs well in a more even pH level stomach (low acidity).

See attached for a TruCal presentation as well as Nutrition information.

[Missouri-Lee's Summit 1,256]

No, it's not identical. TruCal Suspension is by prescription only. (My daughter is a PharmD and two of my sons are medical doctors). The manufacturer's claims seem vague. It's common knowledge that Calcium requires certain minerals to aid in bioavailability, so, of course, TruCal has a bioavailable advantage when certain minerals are included. It seems disingenuous, then, to compare TruCal to calcium citrate only, particularly when many calcium citrate OTC preparations are mixed with the same minerals as TruCal. Why compare an apple to an orange? It's more logical to compare two apples.

"Clinical study shows that TruCal has better absorption compared to that of calcium carbonate." Again, common knowledge. Calcium carbonate can't be readily absorbed without a more acidic environment.

"TruCal® D-50 is a source of calcium and minerals derived from milk and is manufactured using a proprietary extraction technology combined with further purification techniques."

No ingredients in TruCal are superior to other calcium citrate products when those products also contain known minerals that boost efficacy. TruCal contains no proprietary ingredients, then, only "proprietary extraction technology" which sounds impressive -- but really isn't. Big Pharm marketing mumbo-jumbo.

Edited July 3, 2018 by Missouri-Lee's Summit

[TakingABreak 2,733]

On 06/30/2018 at 15:18, Alex Brecher said:

This is a great question! I don't think there have been studies comparing TruCal Calcium vs calcium citrate. The only study I've come across is one comparing TruCal to Calcium carbonate (attached.) It seems to be a very good source of calcium IMO. I'm a little biased since we sell all ProCare Health products in the BariatricPal Store. I personally LOVE and use their Sea Salt Caramel calcium chews.

trucal_article_2.pdf

I love my ProCare Health vitamins! It’s awesome that I can only take 1 tablet per day. I think I will be ordering the calcium chews, didn’t know you carried them. I do have a question about the prenatal Vitamin that you carry from ProCare Health. Is this meant to be in addition to the regular vitamin?

[Alex Brecher 10,484]

3 hours ago, AshAsh1 said:

I love my ProCare Health vitamins! It’s awesome that I can only take 1 tablet per day. I think I will be ordering the calcium chews, didn’t know you carried them. I do have a question about the prenatal Vitamin that you carry from ProCare Health. Is this meant to be in addition to the regular Vitamin?

I believe it’s supposed to be a replacement.