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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Calcium wins 3 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Likely helps
18 of 20 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Shared outcomes (2)
Outcomes where both Calcium and Raloxifene (Evista) have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
1000–1200mg daily (split doses)
Split doses with meals, 500mg with breakfast, 500mg with dinner
Calcium Citrate
Approved (postmenopausal women) / off-label (male) — clinician-directed. For osteoporosis treatment/prevention and breast-cancer risk reduction the standard, validated dose is 60 mg once daily (the MORE, CORE, RUTH and STAR trials all used 60 mg/day; MORE also tested 120 mg/day with no clear added fracture benefit and more side effects). For off-label male gynecomastia the small published pediatric series used roughly 60 mg/day; there is no FDA-approved male dose and the male evidence is thin and retrospective.
any
Raloxifene hydrochloride 60 mg tablets (approved for postmenopausal osteoporosis and breast-cancer risk reduction)
6-24 months
12-36 months
Throughout pregnancy
Within days of starting
Months to years
Years
Throughout use
Throughout use
Effects of combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation on osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Food & Function (2020) · Meta analysis · n=12000
Combined calcium and vitamin D significantly improved lumbar spine BMD in postmenopausal women
Association Between Calcium or Vitamin D Supplementation and Fracture Incidence in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
JAMA (2017) · Meta analysis · n=51145
33 trials involving 51,145 participants were analyzed
Vitamin D and Calcium for the Prevention of Fracture: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
JAMA Network Open (2019) · Meta analysis · n=51419
Meta-analysis of 11 randomized clinical trials with 51,419 participants
Reduction of vertebral fracture risk in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis treated with raloxifene: results from a 3-year randomized clinical trial. Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation (MORE) Investigators.
JAMA (1999) · Rct · n=7705
MORE: multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of raloxifene 60 or 120 mg/day in 7,705 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, followed up to 36 months
The effect of raloxifene on risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women: results from the MORE randomized trial. Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation.
JAMA (1999) · Rct · n=7705
Pre-specified breast-cancer analysis of the MORE RCT (7,705 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis), followed a median 40 months
Continuing outcomes relevant to Evista: breast cancer incidence in postmenopausal osteoporotic women in a randomized trial of raloxifene.
J Natl Cancer Inst (2004) · Rct · n=5213
CORE: extension of the randomized MORE trial giving 4 additional years of raloxifene 60 mg/day (n=3,510) vs continued placebo (n=1,703)
Based on meta-analysis of 59 RCTs showing 0.6-1.8% BMD increases. Requires vitamin D co-supplementation for optimal effect. Effectiveness plateaus beyond 1200mg daily.
AI-estimated from published studies. Interpret as directional guidance.
Calcium has a higher evidence score (8/10 vs 5.3/10) and wins in 3 of 3 categories.
No known interactions between Calcium and Raloxifene (Evista) have been documented in our database. However, always consult a healthcare provider before combining supplements.