CalChew your way to health

Manila, Philippines -  Women will never see supplements the same way again,” Pascual Laboratories’ director for corporate communications Mia Pascual-Cenzon remarked at the launch of CalChews, the first chewable calcium supplement on the local market.

While many are aware of the importance of calcium in one’s over-all health, taking calcium supplements as part of one’s daily habit is still not that widely practiced. Perhaps it’s the size of the tablet or capsule, usually too large and too difficult to swallow, that is discouraging. And while some may come in powder form, it requires extra time and effort to prepare the drink. What’s more, most of these supplements leave an unpleasant chalky aftertaste in the mouth.

“CalChews is a breakthrough calcium supplement that comes in two soft and chewy candy flavors — Rich Chocolate and Creamy Caramel,” says Pascual Consumer Healthcare Corp. (PCHC) brand manager Valerie Sison.

Someone at the launch said it reminded her of that popular US brand of chewy candy, Tootsie Roll.

A candy that’s good for your health? This calcium supplement in chewy candy form is fortified with vitamins D and K for optimum bone health.

“With its ideal combination of calcium, vitamin D3, and vitamin K1 in the recommended daily dose, CalChews offers a complete solution for optimum bone maintenance, even as it also helps with other health concerns,” says Dr. Eliseo Banaynal Jr., PCHC medical director.

Calcium is essential for healthy bones and teeth. It is also important for muscle contraction and heart action; for the maintenance of the nervous system, for the nerves to carry messages between the brain and the other parts of the body; and even for normal blood clotting. Calcium helps blood vessels move blood throughout the body. It helps release hormones and enzymes that affect almost every function in the human body as well.

“Calcium deficiency could lead to common bone ailments such as osteoporosis, a condition associated with shrinking height and bent posture and spine,” Dr. Banaynal noted.

Osteoporosis is characterized by the loss of bone mass, when the inside of the bones become porous from loss of calcium. This weakens the bones and over time, may make them brittle and easier to break.

Women naturally have less bone mass and are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. Moreover, the rate of bone mass loss accelerates after menopause, when estrogen levels decrease.

“It’s downhill from then on,” Dr. Banaynal remarked. “But even before menopause, this can already start because of the kind of diet that most people have these days,” Dr. Banaynal pointed out.

Insufficient calcium intake from food due to poor diet and eating habits can accelerate the rate of bone mass loss.

Age is also a factor. Total bone mass peaks at around the age of 35, after which all adults start to lose it. Men may also be at risk of getting osteoporosis later in life. “One can take a calcium supplement until the golden years,” Dr. Banaynal remarked. A calcium supplement fortified with vitamins D and K is recommended.

Without vitamin D, the body cannot effectively absorb calcium, which is essential for healthy bones and teeth. With the sun as the natural source of vitamin D, it is also known as the “sunshine vitamin.”

Vitamin D ensures the proper absorption of calcium needed for the maintenance of bone health. Vitamin D also plays a major role in the nerve, muscle, and immune systems.

Natural sources of vitamin K include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, spinach, parsley, and green leafy vegetables such as lettuce. It is widely regarded as a “mega antioxidant.” It is effective against bone loss and helps reduce the risk of hip fracture. It can even control blood sugar.

Vitamin K is important to ensure that the calcium goes to the bones and not elsewhere. It regulates calcium in the brain to aid in combating Alzheimer’s disease, as well as prevent the thickening of arteries that could lead to   stroke. “Vitamin K helps minimize the calcification of the arteries or the build-up of calcium over time, which can lead to heart attack,” Dr. Banaynal explained. “Vitamin K is an essential part of calcium supplementation, which CalChews delivers.”

CalChews can be taken by everyone, male and female, young and old alike. Two CalChews daily for adults, and one daily for kids.

“True to our mission of providing consumers with health and wellness products of superior value, CalChews answers the need for an easier way for women, and everyone else, to supplement their diet with calcium every day,” said Pascual-Cenzon.

That’s something for you to chew on. It’s as easy as taking candy.