Calcium from Tums (1000 and 750)

Does anyone use Tums for calcium? I have the caramel chews and they are good but they have a BITTER after taste and it is bad enough to make me gag when it's time to take them. I already have a horrible time taking the ADEKs. Just curious....

Amy

TUMS are calcium carbonate, which is the wrong form of calcium for us because it is poorly absorbed. You need to be taking calcium citrate. You can find it at CostCo or any drug store, just read the label carefully because every store will also carry calcium carbonate, which is not what you want. They are BIG pills because calciu citrate is a big molecule, so you may need a pill cutter. Or, you can do what I do, which is to buy the calcium citrate lozenges from Bariatric Advantage from Vitalady. You can either chew them or suck on them. Bariatric Advantage also makes a chewy calcium citrate, but they cost more.

Regarding ADEKs, again, this is not a good choice for us. It sounds right because they contain all the right things, but there is so little of each, compared to what we need to maintain good levels with our malabsorption of fat soluble vitamins, that they are almost useless. What you need is the separate, "dry" D, A, and K, again you can purchase from Vitalady or directly from the manufacturer, which is Biotech. But Vitalady's prices are better.

And of course bottom line, you should be following your labs to make sure your levels are not only good, but not going in the wrong direction. If you call some office employee at your doctor's office, they may tell you "your labs are fine" when they are at the bottom of the normal range and heading down. It's your responsibility to see the trends as well as the exact numbers. It's far easier to maintain good levels than it is to fix a problem after it develops.

Larra

Thank you for the detailed info. I am only 8 wks out and definitely still learning.

I think I will try the lozenges. I was told that I will get 1st set of labs (since surgery) at the 3 month point so I will begin carefully watching them.

Thanks again.

Amy

Larra's right. Calcium citrate is the way to go. I've never had a problem with the pills but another alternative people use 
that I've seen is a product called UpCal D. It's a powder you can add to yogurt, whatever. I've even seen some people say
thay take it with water like a pixie stick if your old enough to know what that is. :) (flavored sugar powder in straws for kids).

Thank you for replying. This is very helpful. I think I will try the lozenges or straws. You are always great at replying and it means a lot. I am 8 wks out and still learning.

Thanks again.

Amy