Calcium, vitamin D and collagen: how to choose

Articles October 07, 2026 12 min read

Calcium, vitamin D and collagen from the Vitateka catalogue: tablets, capsules, powder and liquids

The Joints, bones, muscles category holds two very different kinds of products. Calcium and vitamins D and K are nutrients with authorised EU claims and clear reference values. Collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM are not: there is no authorised EU claim on their effects at all, so they are chosen by dose and ingredients. Here is how.

Contents

Calcium, vitamin D and collagen: what they are and what may be said about them
How to read the label
Product forms: choose by convenience
Safety: upper levels and when to ask a doctor
Single nutrient or complex, ingredients and allergens
Calcium, vitamin D and collagen in the Vitateka catalogue
Frequently asked questions

Calcium, vitamin D and collagen: what they are and what may be said about them

Calcium is a mineral; in supplements it comes as gluconate, citrate, carbonate and other salts. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, in supplements usually D3. Collagen is a protein; supplements contain hydrolysed collagen (peptides) from fish or bovine raw material. Glucosamine and chondroitin are obtained from crustacean shells, animal cartilage and fish.

In the EU, the benefits of nutrients may only be described in the wording of the register of authorised claims (Regulation 432/2012), for example:

Calcium is needed for the maintenance of normal bones.
Calcium contributes to normal muscle function.
Vitamin D contributes to normal absorption/utilisation of calcium and phosphorus.
Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
Vitamin K contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage.

These claims apply to a product whose daily portion provides at least 15 % of the nutrient reference value (NRV). For adults the NRV is 800 mg of calcium, 5 µg of vitamin D, 75 µg of vitamin K and 80 mg of vitamin C (Regulation 1169/2011, Annex XIII). There are no authorised claims for collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM or hyaluronic acid; the only authorised claim that mentions cartilage belongs to vitamin C.

How to read the label

Calcium: the weight of the salt is not the calcium. How much calcium a salt holds depends on the salt. By the labels of our products, 2,000 mg of gluconate (4 FarmGroup tablets of 500 mg) gives 177.6 mg of calcium – about 9 % – while 1,527 mg of citrate (2 VitalHarmony capsules) gives 360 mg of calcium, about 24 %.

% NRV and the threshold. 177.6 mg of calcium is 22 % NRV: above the 15 % threshold but far from 100 %. The daily dose of Evalar calcium gluconate, 4 tablets, gives 18 % NRV.

Glucosamine and chondroitin: salt and substance again. A portion (2 tablets) of OstroVit "Glucosamine + MSM + chondroitin + vitamin C" contains 1,000 mg of glucosamine sulphate, of which 590 mg is glucosamine, and 400 mg of chondroitin sulphate, of which 360 mg is chondroitin.

Collagen: grams, not milligrams. In powders and liquids a serving is measured in grams: the VITATEKA marine collagen powder gives 10,000 mg in two scoops, VITATEKA "Joint Support" 5,700 mg of collagen hydrolysate in 15 ml. A VITAR "Collagen Forte Plus" capsule contains about 120 mg of collagen (100 mg of peptides, 20 mg of type I and 200 µg of type II collagen). The same "salt and substance" principle applies to magnesium – see our magnesium buying guide.

Price per day = pack price ÷ number of daily doses. At the prices of 07.10.2026 (delivery to Estonia, VAT included): FarmGroup "Calcium gluconate forte" costs 0.86 € for 10 tablets; at 4 tablets a day that is 2.5 days and about 0.34 € a day for 177.6 mg of calcium. VitalHarmony "Calcium + D3" costs 11.49 € for 90 capsules, 45 days at 2 capsules, about 0.26 € a day for 360 mg of calcium and 5 µg of D3. A cheap pack is not always cheaper per day – let alone per milligram of calcium.

Product forms: choose by convenience

Tablets are the usual form for calcium; the daily dose often takes 2–4 tablets.
Capsules are for small doses: vitamin K2, D3, calcium with D3, collagen in complexes.
Powders are for collagen in grams: stir into water or juice; they come flavoured and unflavoured.
Liquids are a ready 15–25 ml serving, handy if you want several substances at once: VITATEKA "Joint Support" has collagen and vitamins C, D3 and B12 in 15 ml.

There are no authorised EU claims that one form is "better absorbed" – choose by convenience and ingredients. In the Joints, bones, muscles category you can filter straight away by tablets, capsules or powders.

Safety: upper levels and when to ask a doctor

The tolerable upper intake level (UL) is the highest daily intake from all sources, food included, at which EFSA does not expect harm with long-term use.

Nutrient	Upper level for adults	Source
Calcium	2,500 mg a day	EFSA, 2012
Vitamin D	100 µg (4,000 IU) a day; children aged 1–10: 50 µg	EFSA, 2023
Vitamin A (retinol)	3,000 µg a day	EFSA, 2024
Vitamin K	not set	SCF, 2003

Add up calcium and vitamin D from all products. "Calcium + D3", a joint complex and a separate D3 are often bought together.
Vitamin K is, for example, in Oleofarm K2 and in VITATEKA "Glucosamine MAX". If you take blood-thinning medicines (vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin), take supplements with vitamin K only after consulting a doctor.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are also obtained from crustaceans and fish: if you have an allergy, check the source on the label. OstroVit states that the product may contain fish and crustaceans. If you take blood-thinning medicines, take glucosamine only after consulting a doctor.
Read the contraindications before buying: both calcium gluconates in our selection list pregnancy and breastfeeding, and VITAR "Collagen Forte Plus" is not suitable for children under 15.

Ask a doctor before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take medicines or are under medical supervision.

Single nutrient or complex, ingredients and allergens

Calcium on its own is easier to dose together with a separate vitamin D. Pairs and complexes (calcium + D3, D3 + K2, collagen + vitamin C, glucosamine + chondroitin + MSM) are more convenient, but check that these substances are not already in your other supplements.

Vitamin C in collagen products. The claim on cartilage is authorised only for vitamin C, so check how much of it a serving has: 80 mg (100 % NRV) in Oleofarm Collaflex, 120 mg (150 % NRV) in VITATEKA "Joint Support", 160 mg (200 % NRV) in OstroVit "Glucosamine + MSM + chondroitin + vitamin C".
The source of collagen – fish (marine) or bovine – is stated in the ingredients; the VITATEKA marine collagen powder contains fish.
Sugar and sweeteners. The VITAR capsules contain sorbitol, and the label warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect; VITATEKA "Joint Support" is sugar-free.
Plant extracts (boswellia, turmeric juice, green tea) appear in joint complexes. There are no authorised EU claims for them yet, so we only describe the ingredients.
Capsule shells are mostly gelatine: bovine in VitalHarmony and VITAR.

Calcium, vitamin D and collagen in the Vitateka catalogue

All products below were in stock on 07.10.2026; the doses are taken from the labels on our website. More options are in the Joints, bones, muscles category (with the "How to choose" and "Our pick" panel) and in the Vitamin D and Collagens sections.

Calcium: FarmGroup "Calcium gluconate forte" – 177.6 mg of calcium in 4 tablets, 10 tablets; Evalar calcium gluconate – 18 % NRV in 4 tablets, 120 tablets; VitalHarmony "Calcium + D3" – 360 mg of calcium and 5 µg of D3 in 2 capsules, 90 capsules.
Vitamins D and K: ALG Pharma D3 2000 – 50 µg of D3 per capsule, 60 capsules; Oleofarm vitamin K2 200 µg – 200 µg of K2 (MK-7) per capsule, 30 capsules.
Collagen: VITATEKA marine collagen powder, 300 g – 10 g per serving, 30 servings; VITAR "Collagen Forte Plus" – type I and II collagen and 40 mg of vitamin C per capsule, 60 capsules; Oleofarm Collaflex – 420 mg of type II collagen, 140 mg of chondroitin sulphate, 70 mg of hyaluronic acid and 80 mg of vitamin C in 2 capsules.
Glucosamine: OstroVit "Glucosamine + MSM + chondroitin + vitamin C" – 590 mg of glucosamine and 160 mg of vitamin C in 2 tablets, 45 servings; VITATEKA "Glucosamine MAX 1600" – 1,600 mg of glucosamine in 25 ml, with vitamins A, C, D3, K2 and selenium.
A complex in one bottle: VITATEKA "Joint Support", sugar-free – 5,700 mg of collagen hydrolysate, 120 mg of vitamin C, 15 µg of D3 and 5 µg of B12 in 15 ml.

More on the topic – our selections with collagen, with hyaluronic acid and Magnesium glycinate.

In short

For calcium, compare the amount of calcium itself and the % NRV, not the weight of the tablet.
Add up calcium and vitamin D from all products: the upper levels for adults are 2,500 mg and 100 µg a day.
Collagen, glucosamine and chondroitin have no authorised EU claims: choose them by dose, source and ingredients.
Collagen in powders and drinks comes in grams per serving, in capsules in about a hundred milligrams.
If you are allergic to fish or crustaceans, check the source of collagen and glucosamine.
If you take medicines, take vitamin K and glucosamine only after consulting a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

How much calcium is in one calcium gluconate tablet?

Not much: calcium is about 9 % of the weight of gluconate. By the FarmGroup label, 4 tablets of 500 mg give 177.6 mg of calcium, about 44 mg per tablet. That is why the daily dose is 4 tablets.

Should calcium be taken together with vitamin D?

Vitamin D has an authorised claim: "Vitamin D contributes to normal absorption/utilisation of calcium and phosphorus". That is why calcium is often sold paired with D3, like VitalHarmony "Calcium + D3". If you already take a separate vitamin D, add up the doses.

Are there authorised claims for collagen?

No. The EU register (Regulation 432/2012) has no claims for collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM or hyaluronic acid. The only claim that mentions collagen belongs to vitamin C, which is why vitamin C is often added to collagen products.

How does collagen in capsules differ from a powder?

In quantity. A serving of the VITATEKA marine collagen powder contains 10 g of collagen, a VITAR "Collagen Forte Plus" capsule about 120 mg. Compare grams per daily serving, not the number of capsules or tubs.

Can I take glucosamine if I am allergic to seafood?

Glucosamine is often obtained from crustacean shells. If you have an allergy, check the source and the warnings on the label and ask a doctor.

How much vitamin K2 can I take?

No upper level has been set for vitamin K (SCF, 2003). If you take medicines, ask a doctor before taking vitamin K – see the Safety section for details.

Important information

A food supplement is not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medicines or under medical supervision, ask a doctor before use. Keep out of the reach of children.