Week 1
Set the routine
One capsule with breakfast, one with your evening snack, as the label suggests. Put the jar where you will see it.
Before you buy
Ask around and nobody agrees.
Open a card for our answer: what's in it, what it isn't, how your vitamin D adds up and who it's for. BONE DENSITY is not a drug and does not replace medical advice.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
-
All five amounts
Choose your deliveryPer two-capsule serving: vitamin D3 50 mcg (2,000 IU), vitamin K2 75 mcg, boron 3 mg, epimedium extract 500 mg and beta-glucan 250 mg.
-
Not a calcium supplement
Read the calcium questionsBONE DENSITY's label lists no calcium. It is not a calcium supplement and cannot stand in for calcium from food or a supplement. No study has tested it, on its own or with a calcium supplement. Whether you need one, and how much, is a question for your doctor.
-
Add it up
Choose your deliveryOurs has 50 mcg (2,000 IU) per serving. Add any vitamin D in your multivitamin or calcium supplement: the adult upper limit is 100 mcg (4,000 IU) a day from food and all supplements combined.
-
Women and men
Read what it does not doAdults who want to support their bones.* It is not for anyone who is pregnant or nursing. It is not a treatment for any bone condition and does not replace anything your doctor has prescribed. If you take a blood thinner, read the warnings first.
How BONE DENSITY works
Supports normal bone remodeling.*
Bone is living tissue, and your body clears and replaces it throughout adult life. In spongy bone, osteoclasts clear old bone for about a month, then osteoblasts spend about five months laying down new bone.
-
Calcium absorption
Vitamin D3 helps your body absorb calcium from food.* Each serving has 50 mcg (2,000 IU), 250% of the Daily Value and half the 100 mcg (4,000 IU) adult upper limit.
-
Osteocalcin activation
Your body needs vitamin K to activate osteocalcin, a protein made by the cells that form bone.* Each serving has 75 mcg. In a dose-finding study of MK-7, 100 mcg a day produced a significant rise in activation and 50 mcg did not.
-
Mineral metabolism
Boron is a trace mineral involved in calcium and magnesium metabolism.* Each serving has 3 mg, under a sixth of the 20 mg adult upper limit.
-
Mostly lab research
Epimedium extract, 500 mg. Most studies of it are in cells and animals, and human data are limited. The label does not state its icariin content.
-
No human bone studies
Beta-glucan, 250 mg. We found no human study of beta-glucan and bone, and the label does not state its source.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Inside BONE DENSITY
Five ingredients, five amounts.
Each ingredient has its own line and its own amount on the label. The label does not state the icariin content of the epimedium extract or the source of the beta-glucan.
Vitamin D350 mcg (2,000 IU) 
Vitamin K275 mcg, as menaquinone 
Boron3 mg 
Epimedium extract500 mg 
Beta-glucan250 mg
Read the label
Supplement Facts.
This is the BONE DENSITY Supplement Facts panel in plain text. The first printed jars list 60 servings per container; the correct figure is 30.
Supplement Facts
- Serving size
- 2 capsules
- Servings per container
- 30
| Ingredient | Amount per serving | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin Das cholecalciferol | 50 mcg (2,000 IU) | 250% |
| Vitamin Kas menaquinone | 75 mcg | 63% |
| Epimedium extract | 500 mg | † |
| Beta-glucan | 250 mg | † |
| Boron | 3 mg | † |
† Daily Value not established.
- Other ingredients
- Rice fiber and rice extract blend.
- Suggested use
- Take two (2) capsules per day, preferably divided into AM and PM servings, best taken with a light snack.
What BONE DENSITY does not do.
BONE DENSITY is not a calcium supplement. Its label lists no calcium, so it cannot stand in for calcium from food or a supplement. It does not replace your doctor's advice.
Our 75 mcg of vitamin K2 is less than half the 180 mcg a day used in a 3-year bone study of MK-7. And in a 2-year trial of 771 adults (men 50 and over, women 55 and over) who were not chosen for low vitamin D, 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 a day, the amount in BONE DENSITY, had no effect on bone density compared with placebo.
The evidence, with the doses.
Bone remodeling. In spongy bone, one remodeling cycle takes about 200 days: about 30 to 40 days of resorption, then about 150 days of formation (Eriksen 2010).
Vitamin D3, 50 mcg (2,000 IU). Vitamin D's main job in calcium balance is raising how much calcium your intestine absorbs (Christakos 2017).* The adult upper limit is 100 mcg (4,000 IU) a day (Institute of Medicine 2011). In a 2-year trial of 771 adults (men 50 and over, women 55 and over) who were not chosen for low vitamin D, 2,000 IU a day had no effect on bone density compared with placebo (LeBoff 2020).
Vitamin K2, 75 mcg. Your body needs vitamin K to activate osteocalcin, a protein made by the cells that form bone.* Under normal conditions, 10 to 40% of osteocalcin circulates inactive (published figures, cited in Theuwissen 2012). In a 12-week study of 42 healthy adults aged 18 to 45, MK-7 at 90 to 360 mcg a day raised osteocalcin activation; 45 mcg and below did not (Theuwissen 2012). In a dose-finding study, 100 and 200 mcg of MK-7 a day produced a significant rise in activation; the change at 50 mcg was not significant (Inaba 2015). BONE DENSITY has 75 mcg, between those doses, and neither study tested it. A 3-year bone study of MK-7 used 180 mcg a day (Knapen 2013).
Boron, 3 mg. In a 1987 metabolic-ward study, 12 postmenopausal women on a low-boron diet lost less calcium and magnesium in urine when 3 mg of boron a day was added (Nielsen 1987).* In a year-long study of 28 college women, 17 athletes and 11 sedentary students, taking 3 mg of boron a day or a placebo, bone density changes tracked activity level, and boron had no direct effect (Meacham 1994). The adult upper limit for boron is 20 mg a day (Institute of Medicine 2001).
Epimedium extract, 500 mg. In rat bone cells, icariin raised markers of bone formation (Ma 2011). In a lab model of inflammation, it reduced osteoclast formation (Hsieh 2011). In a placebo-controlled study of 30 healthy men, icariin itself was undetectable in the blood of the men who took single doses of a standardized epimedium extract; the body converts it into other compounds (Teo 2019). A 24-month trial gave 60 mg of icariin a day with the isoflavones daidzein and genistein; both groups also took 300 mg of calcium (Zhang 2007). Our label does not state the icariin content, so we cannot compare doses.
Beta-glucan, 250 mg. We found no human study of beta-glucan and bone. In mouse cells, baker's yeast beta-glucan reduced osteoclast formation (Hara 2021). The label does not state the source of our beta-glucan, so we do not know whether that study applies to it.
The formula. No clinical trial has tested the BONE DENSITY formula itself. Each line above describes a study of one ingredient.
Sources, with PubMed IDs: Christakos 2017 (29101648); Eriksen 2010 (21188536); Hara 2021 (33305824); Hsieh 2011 (20554188); Inaba 2015 (26875489); Knapen 2013 (23525894); LeBoff 2020 (31923341); Ma 2011 (21328465); Meacham 1994 (7889886); Nielsen 1987 (3678698); Teo 2019 (30522143); Theuwissen 2012 (22289649); Zhang 2007 (17419678). Upper limits: Institute of Medicine, Dietary Reference Intakes for calcium and vitamin D (2011) and for boron (2001).
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
What to expect
Your first 45 days.
You cannot feel bone remodeling, and we make no promise about results at any point.
-
-
Days 8–30
Finish the jar
One jar holds 60 capsules, 30 days at two a day.
-
Day 45
Refund window closes
Not for you? Email info@takelitmus.com within 45 days of purchase for a full refund to your original payment method.
How to take it
Two capsules a day.
60 capsules per jar. That is 30 days of the routine.
-
One serving.
Two capsules make one serving.
-
Morning and evening.
The label suggests one in the morning and one in the evening.
-
With a light snack.
The label says they are best taken with a light snack.
Reviews
No reviews yet.
BONE DENSITY is new, so there are no reviews to show yet. We will add buyers' written reviews here, critical ones included.
A CLOSER LOOK
The details, up close.
See the jar and capsules where they sit during a normal day.
The Litmus guarantee
Put it to the test.
100% money-back guarantee. Contact us within 45 days of purchase. Approved refunds are issued to the original payment method; bank or card processing time may vary.
How to claim
Email info@takelitmus.com within 45 days of purchase. We’ll review the request and provide the next steps. For defective, damaged or incorrect items, contact us immediately so the issue can be evaluated and made right.
Questions, answered
BONE DENSITY FAQ.
Ingredients, daily use, buying options and safety in one place.
What is BONE DENSITY?
BONE DENSITY is a daily vitamin D3 and K2 supplement from LITMUS, with boron, epimedium extract and beta-glucan. Each two-capsule serving has all five amounts on the label.
What does each ingredient do?
Vitamin D3 helps you absorb calcium from food.* Your body needs vitamin K to activate osteocalcin, a protein made by the cells that form bone;* BONE DENSITY's 75 mcg of K2 is below the 100 mcg a day that produced a significant rise in activation in a dose-finding study. Boron is a trace mineral involved in calcium and magnesium metabolism.* Most studies of epimedium extract are in cells and animals, human data are limited, and the label does not state its icariin content. We found no human study of beta-glucan and bone. See the evidence.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
What do vitamin D3 and K2 each do?
Vitamin D3 helps your body absorb calcium from food.* Each serving has 50 mcg (2,000 IU), 250% of the Daily Value. Your body needs vitamin K to activate osteocalcin, a bone protein.* Published research puts the share of osteocalcin that circulates inactive at 10 to 40% under normal conditions. Each serving has 75 mcg of vitamin K2; in a dose-finding study of MK-7, 100 mcg a day produced a significant rise in activation and 50 mcg did not.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Is BONE DENSITY a calcium supplement?
No. Its label lists no calcium, so it cannot stand in for calcium from food or a supplement. No study has tested BONE DENSITY together with a calcium supplement.
Can I take BONE DENSITY with my calcium supplement?
Check the vitamin D first. BONE DENSITY has 50 mcg (2,000 IU) per serving. If your calcium supplement lists vitamin D, add the two amounts, plus any multivitamin: the upper limit for adults is 100 mcg (4,000 IU) a day from food and all supplements combined. Some calcium supplements list 50 mcg (2,000 IU) a day or more on their own, so taking one with BONE DENSITY would reach or pass that limit. Some calcium supplements also list vitamin K. If you take warfarin or another vitamin K antagonist, do not use BONE DENSITY unless your prescriber is managing your vitamin K intake. If you take another blood thinner or an antiplatelet medicine, talk to your doctor first. Whether you need a calcium supplement, and how much calcium and vitamin D is right for you, is a question for your doctor.
What is epimedium, and what does the research show?
Epimedium is a plant whose flavonoids include icariin. Most studies of it are in cells and animals, and human evidence is limited. In a placebo-controlled study of 30 healthy men, icariin itself was undetectable in the blood of the men who took a standardized epimedium extract, because the body converts it into other compounds. The label does not state how much icariin the 500 mg extract contains.
How and when should I take BONE DENSITY?
Take two capsules a day. The label suggests one in the morning and one in the evening, with a light snack. Each jar holds 60 capsules, a 30-day supply.
How many servings are in a jar?
Thirty. One serving is two capsules and each jar holds 60, so a jar lasts 30 days. The first printed labels say 60 servings per container. That line is wrong: the correct figure is 30.
Will I notice anything?
You should not expect to feel or notice anything. You cannot feel bone remodeling, and we make no claim about results at any point. If BONE DENSITY is not for you, the 45-day money-back guarantee covers the jar.
Can I take BONE DENSITY with warfarin or another blood thinner?
Not if you take warfarin (Coumadin) or another vitamin K antagonist, a blood thinner that works against vitamin K, unless your prescriber is managing your vitamin K intake. Each serving has 75 mcg of vitamin K2. In a study of 18 healthy volunteers taking one of these drugs, 10 mcg of MK-7 a day changed a clotting test (INR) enough to matter in at least 40% of them. Epimedium may add to the effect of blood thinners and antiplatelet medicines such as aspirin or clopidogrel (Plavix). If you take any of these, or have surgery coming up, talk to your doctor first.
Can I take BONE DENSITY if I have a hormone-sensitive condition?
Talk to your doctor first. Epimedium contains flavonoids that researchers describe as phytoestrogens, plant compounds that can act like weak estrogens. In a small study of 12 postmenopausal women, 3 mg of boron a day changed their sex-hormone levels. If you have, or have had, a hormone-sensitive condition, or you take hormone therapy, ask your doctor before you use BONE DENSITY.
Can I take BONE DENSITY while pregnant or nursing?
No. There are no safety data for epimedium in pregnancy or breastfeeding, so do not take BONE DENSITY if you are pregnant or nursing. Ask your doctor about nutrition during pregnancy.
Can I take BONE DENSITY with other supplements?
Check your vitamin D first. Each serving has 50 mcg (2,000 IU), and the upper limit for adults is 100 mcg (4,000 IU) a day from food and all supplements combined, so add up what your multivitamin, calcium supplement or other supplements list. If you take prescription medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist before you add it.
Is BONE DENSITY for women or men?
Both. It is one formula, two capsules a day, for adults 18 and over. It is not for children, or for anyone who is pregnant or nursing.
How much does BONE DENSITY cost?
A single jar is $39.95. Subscribe and it is $33.96 a jar delivered every 30 days (save 15%), or $95.88 for three jars every 90 days ($31.96 a jar, save 20%). Skip, pause or cancel a subscription anytime.
What are the shipping and return terms?
US orders over $50 ship free. Shipping options and timing appear at checkout. Read the shipping policy and refund policy for the full terms.
Before you start.
The first printed jars of BONE DENSITY carry no warnings on the label. The warnings on this page apply to every jar.
BONE DENSITY is a dietary supplement for adults 18 and over. It is not a drug and does not replace medical advice.
Do not use if you take warfarin (Coumadin) or another vitamin K antagonist, a blood thinner that works against vitamin K, unless your prescriber is managing your vitamin K intake. Do not use if you are pregnant or nursing. Talk to your doctor before use if you take any other blood thinner or an antiplatelet medicine such as aspirin or clopidogrel (Plavix), have surgery planned, or have a hormone-sensitive condition or a liver condition. Epimedium may add to the effect of blood thinners and antiplatelet medicines. Stop use and talk to your doctor if you have a reaction.
Each serving has 50 mcg (2,000 IU) of vitamin D. Count the vitamin D in any other supplements you take. Keep out of reach of children. Store in a cool, dry place.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
