Calcium Dissolve Test

Hi, While sitting in my new PCP's exam room the other day, pinned to the bulletin board was this note: Some of us may not know it, but the calcium tablets (they should be calcium citrate) we are taking do not break down (or dissolve) in our systems and we are just throwing money out the window and our bodies are not getting the required amount of calcium it needs (we're essentiall pooping them out whole)... Try this test: Drop one of your calcium tablets into a cup filled with 6 ounces of vinegar (I don't think it matters what kind it is, I use white distilled vinegar) Check the cup every 5 minutes and give it a stir If the pill is not dissolved in one half an hour, it won't dissolve and that means it isn't getting dissolved into your system. TIME TO BUY AND CHANGE BRANDS OF YOUR CALCIUM! Thought I'd pass this along since we all need our calcium! Paula

Hey Paula, Interesting test.  I just tried it.  "Citracal Calcium Citrate Plus w/Magnesium" passed the vinegar test. They are 500 mg and i take 2 in the am and 2 in the pm for 2000mg per day.  I get most nervous about the calcium intake/absorbtion thing since our bodies will use what we have stored to compensate lack of what we intake.  Down the road that could be a problem especially for us ladies who are more suceptible to osteoperosis.  So far my calcium levels have always shown good on my blood tests.  I eat /drink calcium in food form every day and  I hope I am also supplementing enough to compensate for the lack of absorbtion or "now" the lack of  the damn pill dissolving in time!! YIKES!  Thanks for passing this info on.  I used to take a liquid form of C-Citrate.  May switch back.   I haven't been on the boards in like forever!  How are you?  How is the new house?  I was following along with you since we sold our house also.  Flipping a house is not fun!  Hope you guys are all settled and family is well.  Was hoping to see you at the picnic..... maybe next gathering.   take care, terri

Hey Terri, Good to see your post!   We're doing great!  The move was fantastic and the best thing we could have ever done for all of us.  Family is close by, we're together a lot and the kids are happy to have new friends and cousins nearby.  Bob loves his 12 minute commute vs the 1 1/2 hr each way and loves the new job.  Me, I love my new home and already feel like it's a "home" and not just a house.  Westerly never did feel like home to me, just was a place to live...I don't miss is at all. No, we couldn't make the picnic on Sat, but both of us are trying to make it to the walk in Sept.  I enjoyed it last year a lot. I see Dr A on Aug 29th and he's gonna slap my hand cause I haven't been to him in almost a year.  I was just too busy to ride up there during the house selling and moving, etc.  He keeps me in his radar, though.  He sent me two reminder cards (that I ingnored), then a certified mail letter that caught up to me via change of address, then another regular letter reminding me of the certified letter he sent me!  HA, I finally made an appt.  I've got to see Liz, too, and I'll now go since she's accepting insurances. I've not lost or gained any weight in one year.  I'm happy with that.  It's better than I've ever done before with a weight loss.  Would I like to get down more, sure, but if it doesn't happen for me, I'm not disappointed.  I do have to get back into my routiine walking/exercise (which I've slacked off on since summer hit, except for the mountain biking on trails w/ kids occassionally and hikes and swimming, etc)  the daily stuff that I've been blowing off.  And, quitting the "eat anything I want to" habits that I've gotten myself into.  I know it'll creep up on me later on in weight gain... That's all for now.  Glad your pills passed the test.  The calcium is the hardest thing for me to get in.  Milk is not my friend since surgery, but I can eat yogurt.  And, I hate the pills cause I have to take like 6 a day cause he wants me to get 2000 or more mgs a day.  I've had liquid, powder to mix, chewables, you name it, but, I'm lazy, too. Oh, well, have a great day and it was great to see you post! paula

I use liquid calcium citrate by Tropical Oasis available at bariatriceating.com.  It's orange flavored and tastes like baby aspirin for those old enough to remember it!!  1 tablespoon in the am and another in the pm.  Usually I just keep it in the frig and swig from the bottle

Paula,

 Thank you for posting this.  I am careful to take my calcium 2 X a day so I know I am getting enough for me and baby.   I will have to try this to make sure I am not "pooping them out whole"

Thank you again!

Did I know you were expecting??? I don't think so!  Congrats...When are you due? paula

I am due in March.  Thank you!  :-)  we are excited