Calcium Question...

So, what is the difference between Calcium Carbonate and Calcium Citrate??? I evidently have been taking a carbonate all this time, and was maybe supposed to be taking a citrate? I am cornfused!! Please help! Tracy highest 299/current 201/goal 150ish

Calcium carbonate is the most efficient source of calcium and is the least expensive. this is the calcium that is in Tums which is how i get my calcium

Here is a link I found. It's for bypass patient's but it tells you a bit about the difference in the two. http://www.surgery.wisc.edu/general/patients/obesitysurgery/faq_supp.shtml Hope it helps. Amy

Here is a quote from the link "1. Calcium carbonate (TUMS) vs. calcium citrate (Citracal) Either form of calcium supplement is appropriate after gastric bypass surgery. No calcium pill is pure calcium. The calcium needs to be combined with something else to make a pill: citrate, gluconate, carbonate...What is important is the amount of "elemental" calcium that you are getting in each pill. Calcium carbonate contains about 40% elemental calcium. This means that a TUMS tablet containing 500 mg of calcium carbonate actually contains 200 mg of elemental calcium. You should not take more than 500 mg of elemental calcium at a time. Your body will absorb large amounts less efficiently. Larger doses of calcium should be divided throughout the day. The recommended dose of calcium carbonate after gastric bypass surgery is 3 TUMS or one Caltrate (600 mg elemental calcium in each) per day. Calcium citrate provides 21% elemental calcium. This means that you need to take more of it to get the same dose of elemental calcium. Studies have shown that it is a more easily absorbed form of calcium (more bioavailable). A 950 mg tablet of Citracal will provide 200 mg elemental calcium. You should take 1-2 tablets twice a day if you choose this form of calcium supplementation (generally more expensive). Viactiv is another form of calcium supplementation. This is actually a soft calcium chew that comes in several flavors (milk chocolate, mochaccino, caramel, orange cream). Each Viactiv chew contains 500 mg of elemental calcium as well as 25% of the RDA (recommended daily allowance) of Vitamin D and 50% of the RDA of Vitamin K. Each Viactiv chew contains about 20 calories and 0.5 grams of fat. Taking two Viactiv chews a day is also an acceptable method of calcium supplementation." OK, thanks Amy! Now I just feel like a fool because it is all the same!! Tracy

Don't feel silly....I had no idea about the whole subject. I'm just an internet research junkie, and thought I'd help. I learn something new every day! hehe

Tracy, Hey This is a huge point of conflict between lots of us....some of us are told only citrate..its the ONLY one you absorb...and some are told..eh..take some form of calcium.......Personally, my doc says carbonate is peachy...and he's a master of WLS I THINK that if you find a calcium..any calcium..that you like and will take faithfully, stick with it...cause its better than one you HATE and avoid taking Kathy whos labs are right on the money at 18mos post and -115

Thanks Kathy... I was at least taking my calcium faithfully. I just discovered that I can swallow pills again, so I purchased some calcium citrate pills. But, I still have the carbonate chewables and the viactiv chews. I guess I will just take what I am in the mood for and know that I am getting calcium regardless!! Congrats on the -115!!! Yea for you!!! Tracy

See? lots of ...'calcium ________ is best' Personally, I think you should eat cheese, yogurt, etc...and get your calcium that way But then, I feel the same way about protein...go figure

I am totally with you about the protein thing. I DO NOT drink the nasty shakes!! I just make sure to eat the protein first, then the extras. I would like to get to the place where I eat enough calcium, but I know I am not there yet, so I will continue the supplements. (Supplements, not replacements...many people confuse this!!!) Tracy

The only true way to know if your calcium is being absorbed or not is to have a Dexascan. This would give you a baseline for your bone health. Then a year later, have another Dexascan to see if you've lost any bone. Labs won't tell you this because the body will pull calcium from the bones to keep the blood work looking good. Personally, I'm not taking any chances -- I'm using calcium ciitrate. My bones are too important to me. Deb -184