Malabsorption

I'm curious as to how much vitamins we DSers absorb. For example, one of my calcium capsules contains 500 mg calcium citrate and 400 IU Vitamin D. About how much of that is absorbed? Do we absorb about the same amount from every vitamin capsule we take? Or do we absorb some vitamins/minerals more easily than others?
~Helen

I am interested in what the Vets think about this.  Somewhere along the last 4.5 mo, someone told me that we absorb half of what we take in.  I specifically asked "Why 2000mg a day of Calcium?"  I was given the answer, we can only count half.  I do not know what the reality is.  Nor do I know if it can really be measured. 

Great question!

I just did my vits for next month.  Didn't realize I was out of a couple.  34 vitamin pills a day is my new regime (with no iron yet).  Not sure how I'm going to get them all in but will figure out a way!
 

Oops! I meant to write that the amoiunts I gave were for 2 capsules, not one.

Someone will have something more specific, but as for your question about if we absorb some vitamins/minerals more easily than others? - Absolutely,  DSers absorb B vitamins pretty well as a general rule, but do not easily absorb fat soluble vitamins such A, D, E and K. 

Calcium receptors are in the small intestine.  Each receptor will grab and metabolize a molecule of calcium whenever it is available.  Then it will grab another, and so on.  This is why it's better to take calcium at least a couple times a day so it's always available.  Mineral soup.

 

Next comes all the YMMV stuff.  Everyone doesn't start out with the same number of receptors.  Everyone doesn't end up with the same number of receptors post op.  Our bodies try to adapt to surgery so many of us probably 'grow' additional receptors in the small bowel we have left that functions normally.  This is why we have labs done because the calcium/D/Mg, etc, that works fine for me may not be enough for you.  And then figure in things like gender, age, environmental factors.  It's all a balancing act!

 

And BTW when you start talking about D pretty much everyone malabsorbs oral D.  There are very few foods that contain naturally occurring D.  Almost everything we eat that has D in it is fortified, meaning the D was added in the manufacturing process.  This is because people weren't meant to eat their D.  We are supposed to make our own from moderate sun exposure.

I read that we should take max 500mg calcium in one go.  I'm not in love with taking more than 3 batches of calcium so I do 3 x 666mg for a total of 2000mg.  I figure with the malabsorption going slightly over 500mg is OK.

yes that stinks, i take ca 4xs a day with food, maximum dose-and it is a juggling act since ca is a bully and interfers with fe and thyroid rx, sometimes it is like all i do is take pills all day-spreading them out throughout the day so this one doesn;t interfer with that one etc---not complaining, would get the ds all over again tomorrow....

Consider taking a dose of Ca when you wake to make a bathroom trip at night.  Unless that interfere with your fe schedule.