New Chapter Bone Strength Take Care
Best fermented calcium supplement — combines plant-sourced minerals with a unique fermentation process for gentle, well-absorbed bone support.
- Plant-sourced calcium from red marine algae (Lithothamnion)
- Fermented for enhanced absorption and gentle digestion
- Includes D3 and K2 for complete bone support
- Non-GMO Project Verified and B Corp certified
- Slim tablets but requires 3 per day
- Premium price compared to synthetic calcium
- Contains soy (from fermentation process)
New Chapter Bone Strength Take Care is one of the most thoughtfully formulated calcium supplements available for adults over 50. It sources its calcium from red marine algae rather than limestone, ferments the whole formula for better absorption, and includes both D3 and K2 to direct calcium where it belongs — into your bones, not your arteries. If you want bone support that works more like real food than a synthetic pill, this deserves a close look.
What Is New Chapter Bone Strength Take Care?
New Chapter is a Vermont-based supplement company founded in 1982 with a focus on whole-food, fermented supplements. They were acquired by Procter & Gamble in 2012, which gave them larger-scale production capabilities while maintaining their formulation philosophy. The company holds both Non-GMO Project Verification and B Corp certification, reflecting their commitment to ingredient sourcing and corporate responsibility.
Bone Strength Take Care is their flagship bone health product. The calcium comes from Lithothamnion, a species of red marine algae sustainably harvested from pristine waters off the coast of Iceland. Unlike synthetic calcium carbonate, this algae naturally contains calcium in a porous, honeycomb-like structure alongside 70+ trace minerals — magnesium, strontium, boron, vanadium, and silica among them.
New Chapter then puts the whole formula through their proprietary fermentation process, culturing the minerals with beneficial organisms and organic whole foods. This is what sets them apart from other algae-calcium brands.
What’s Inside
Each three-tablet daily serving provides:
- 770mg of plant-sourced calcium (from Lithothamnion red marine algae)
- 1,000 IU vitamin D3 (for calcium absorption)
- 45mcg vitamin K2 (as MK-7, for proper calcium deposition in bone)
- 70+ naturally occurring trace minerals from the algae matrix
- Fermented whole-food blend providing organic food-source nutrients
The fermentation process is the distinguishing feature. By culturing the minerals with probiotics and whole foods, New Chapter creates what they call “fermented nutrients” — minerals bound to organic acids, amino acids, and beneficial metabolites that your digestive system may handle more efficiently than isolated mineral salts.
The tablets are slim and designed to be easy to swallow, a thoughtful detail for adults who may struggle with the large, chalky calcium tablets common in the category.
What the Research Says
The research on plant-derived calcium versus synthetic calcium is encouraging. A 2009 clinical study published in Nutrition Journal found that Lithothamnion-derived calcium maintained bone mineral density more effectively than calcium carbonate over two years, with the plant group showing significantly less bone loss at the hip.
The trace minerals naturally present in the algae may play a role. Strontium, for instance, has been studied for bone health — a 2004 study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that strontium ranelate significantly reduced vertebral fracture risk in postmenopausal women. While the trace amounts in algae calcium are far lower than pharmaceutical doses, they contribute to a whole-food mineral profile.
The D3 and K2 combination is well-supported. A 2013 meta-analysis found that vitamin K2 supplementation was associated with significant reductions in hip fracture, vertebral fracture, and all nonvertebral fractures. K2 works by activating osteocalcin — the protein that binds calcium into bone matrix — and matrix GLA protein, which prevents calcium from accumulating in arteries.
Who Is This Best For?
New Chapter Bone Strength Take Care is especially well suited if you:
- Have a sensitive stomach — the fermented formula is notably gentler than calcium carbonate, which commonly causes bloating, gas, and constipation
- Value the whole-food approach — plant-sourced calcium with its natural trace mineral matrix, processed through fermentation rather than chemical isolation
- Want D3 and K2 included — eliminates the need for separate supplements to ensure calcium goes where it should
- Prefer companies with strong ethics — B Corp certification and Non-GMO Project Verification reflect real accountability
- Take calcium on an empty stomach — fermented minerals are generally well tolerated without food, unlike calcium carbonate which needs stomach acid
If you have a soy allergy, note that the fermentation process uses soy. In that case, Garden of Life mykind Organics Plant Calcium is a soy-free alternative with a similar algae-derived calcium approach.
How to Take It
Take three slim tablets daily. New Chapter recommends taking them with or without food — the fermented format doesn’t require stomach acid for absorption the way calcium carbonate does. For optimal absorption, consider splitting into two doses: two tablets in the morning and one in the evening.
Timing tip: If you also take a multivitamin with iron, separate it from your calcium by at least 2 hours. Calcium and iron compete for absorption.
Interactions to watch: Space calcium at least 4 hours from thyroid medication (levothyroxine) and at least 2 hours from bisphosphonate bone drugs (alendronate, risedronate) and antibiotics (tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones). Calcium reduces the absorption of all these medications.
Always consult your doctor before starting calcium supplementation, particularly if you take prescription medications, have kidney disease, or have been diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism.
The Bottom Line
New Chapter Bone Strength Take Care represents the next generation of calcium supplementation — plant-sourced, fermented, and formulated with the D3 and K2 combination that bone health research now supports. At $38, it costs more than a bottle of calcium carbonate, but you’re getting a fundamentally different product. The fermented formula is gentler on digestion, the algae-derived calcium comes with a natural trace mineral matrix, and the B Corp certification adds a layer of corporate accountability that many adults over 50 appreciate. For those who believe supplements should work more like food than chemistry, this is the bone health formula to choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'fermented' mean in a calcium supplement?
New Chapter uses a proprietary fermentation process where the calcium and other minerals are cultured with beneficial probiotics and whole foods. This mimics how nutrients exist in real food, potentially improving absorption and reducing digestive discomfort. Fermented minerals are bound to organic acids and amino acids produced during fermentation, which your body recognizes and absorbs more readily than isolated mineral salts. The process also generates beneficial metabolites that may support gut health.
How is New Chapter Bone Strength different from regular calcium pills?
Standard calcium supplements use calcium carbonate (ground limestone) or calcium citrate (a synthetic chelate). New Chapter sources its calcium from Lithothamnion, a red marine algae that naturally concentrates calcium and 70+ trace minerals from seawater. The algae-derived calcium has a porous, honeycomb-like structure at the molecular level that may enhance absorption. Combined with the fermentation process and added D3 and K2, it's a fundamentally different approach to bone supplementation.
Can New Chapter Bone Strength be taken on an empty stomach?
Yes. One advantage of plant-sourced, fermented calcium is that it tends to be gentler on the stomach than calcium carbonate, which requires strong stomach acid for absorption. Many users take New Chapter Bone Strength without food and report no digestive issues. That said, taking it with a meal can still improve absorption, particularly for the fat-soluble vitamins D3 and K2 in the formula.
Is New Chapter Bone Strength enough calcium on its own?
Each daily serving provides 770mg of calcium. Women over 50 need about 1,200mg total from all sources. Most adults get 400-600mg from food (dairy, leafy greens, fortified foods), so this supplement fills the typical gap nicely. If your diet is very low in calcium-rich foods, talk to your doctor about whether you need additional supplementation. Remember: more calcium isn't necessarily better — exceeding 2,000mg daily from all sources can increase health risks.