Confused About Calcium

Confused About Calcium Original Post by Paula Dodson at 3:17 PM PST on 06/06/2005 Loves Park, IL - RNY (11/30/2004) I met with my dietician today because I had some questions(not about calcium).We talked about my progress.She said that at this point,it's standard to be put on Viactiv(specifically this brand) for calcium supplementation.I am confused because when I went to the store to buy Viactiv,it is made with calcium carbonate,not calcium citrate(which I thought we were supposed to use) Can someone help shed the light on this? Thanks, Paula

The dietician is wrong. You should be using calcium citrate according all the information I have read.

Hi Paula Yes you are correct and the dietician was wrong.....you need to take Calcium Citrate..........we do not absorb and digest carbonate......I take Twin Labs caps...........Our needs and our own special concerns are just now coming out....It was smart of you to ask.........Best wishes along your journey........Patti

Paula, Your nutritionist is not *wrong* per se.. we can absorb both calcium carbonate and calcium citrate.. you just have to consume more of carbonate to absorb what you need.. (which means you'll be taking it more frequently). Personally, I always get the two mixed up.. but the multi-vitamin I take has calcium carbonate (I THINK) in it -- I know it's the one we have to take more of -- and I take 4 multis a day (chewable). I just got my labs done this weekend and all my levels are fine.. including calcium. It's not even close to low. If you're really unsure, check with your nutritionist and ask her to explain the difference between the two and why it's okay for you to use the Viactiv. She can give you a more thorough explanation than any of the rest of us can.. Don't worry.. they won't steer you wrong.. and it's not bad to ask if you don't understand. Stef Lap RNY 11/12/04 390-> 293-> 175