Whats the deal with Calcium Supplements??

Just ran out and bought some Viactiv Calcium Chews - Dr orders - now I am reading posts on here about the fact that they don't work. I am really confused. Is this true? Does Calcium Carbonate not work? This is quite the bummer...loved the taste of them....and they weren't cheap either. What have you all heard?

Hi Stacey, I have not heard anything bad about Viactiv. The only extra calcium that my doctor makes me take is what is in my pepcid complete that I take every day with my multi vitamin. Hope this helps, Christine

you should check your Pepcid complete....supposedly...tums, Viactiv and any Calcium supplements that have calium carbonate does not absorb in our new stomachs....and that this is a new studies and that not all dr's know this yet.

I want to read the study myself (and bring it to my dr and support group). Thanks for posting about this-I am taking Caltrate twice a day (cough cough choke choke sputter) and I was thinking about switching to Viactiv. Hugs, Susan

I did a search right after I posted. It seems that after RNY, there is not a lot of gastric acid to activate the calcium in Calcium Carbonate. Apparently anything that ends in carbonate is the same way. Now, the fact is, we know there isn't a lot of acid in our pouches. The other fact is that calcium carbonate requires gastric acid. The theory that it wouldn't be absorbed, however, has not been proven (so far as I could find). Hugs, Susan

I took Viactive the first 2 months but I was then advised to take "Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D...formulated for superior absorption." The brand I got was Solaray (at a health food store). I use a pill cutter to break in half so I can swallow them. Hope this helps. Deb -57 lbs/May th Surgery Procedure: Duodenal Switch

I use KAL Cal-Mag it's Calcium Citrate based. I have tried the Orange and the Pineapple flavors. They taste good and easy as a spoonful.

It's just because calcium citrate absorbs better than the other tpes of calcium. that's why it's recomended for wls! you get more from it but as long as you are getting enough per day you should be a-ok! Kristin

Hello, My doctor has me on 1200 mg of Calcium Citrate. He advises me that Calcium Carbonate would not break down as well as Calcium Citrate. I really do not know I just did what he advises. Sorry I don't have more input.

Gee, I've been taking Viactiv since forever, and my dr hasn't pushed me off them. Though since I do need 3 a day, and they are 20 calories each ... that comes to 420 calories/week that I wouldn't be taking in if I were chewing Tums instead. So I've been thinking about changing over -- but I love my chocolate chew!