Supplement Question!!!

Can anyone tell me or help withthis question Can we take from Walmart this supplement called?             Caltrate 600+D chewables calcium supplement.                                                                                                  Thanks Sue

Sue, these have 2 carbs and 2 sugars in each tablet. Caltrate website says that the recommended dose is 2 per day. So that means you are taking in a daily total of 4 carbs, 4 sugars. Further out from surgery, this would not be all that big of a deal for most. But while you are still losing weight, it could hinder your weight loss. There are a few tricky things about this supplement label. It says "Caltrate" which makes it appear to be calcium citrate, doesn't it? But at closer review of the ingredients, it only contains CALCIUM CARBONATE which we are not supposed to take. I do not see CALCIUM CITRATE in the list of ingredients. Caltrate website says this about their product, which SOUNDS good: Quote: Caltrate® 600+D PLUS Minerals Chewables come in three great-tasting fruit flavors - cherry, orange and fruit punch. It contains 600 mg calcium plus 400 IU of vitamin D per tablet. Just two tablets a day provides the total recommended daily amount of calcium, with advanced levels of vitamin D to help optimize calcium absorption.* Each tablet also contains five fortifying minerals important for healthy bone formation:* Magnesium - helps maintain strong bones*Zinc, Copper, Manganese - for skeletal development*Boron - helps the body utilize calcium* According to Dr. Houston's office, the notebook says: "Calcium citrate is the preferred form of calcium supplement after gastric bypass surgery because it does not require stomach acid for absorption. Do not choose...Caltrate. These are either the wrong forms of calcium and some contain too many carbohydrates, calories and sugar." Here are some suggested calcium supplements on their list: Bariatric Advantage (I take these and they taste great! I love the wild berry flavor) Your surgeon might sell them through their office, or you can order online or at BariatricEating.com Up Cal D http://www.Vitalady.com Tropical Oasis Liquid Calcium (I took this for awhile. It tastes like orange. Kind of strange at first, but you get used to it) You can order this online as well. Calcium Citrate Liquid with Vitamin D and Magnesium Osteo-Enhance by Sci Fit Citracal (has to be crushed) sold at most drugstores My opinion is that while the price may be appealing, its not the best choice for us as wls patients. But, you should give your surgeon's office a call. The nutritionist can give you their official clinical stand on the product. I used Tropical Oasis liquid and Bariatric Advantage chewables. I like the wild berry Bariatric Advantage better. Remember that you will want to take it with food. It actually helps absorption when taken with food. It does cost a bit more, but in the long run, it is a better investment. Hope this helps!

Melinda,   Thanks for responding I think I better get on line and order some calcium.  Been taking this stuff for awhile hope I did'nt do any harm to myself.                                                                       Thanks Sue

I dont think you harmed yourself by taking these... they just did not absorb... so if you have been out of calcium for an extended time, then it could do some damage.  Talk to you later.  

Sue In the other thread on liquid calcium, Bob says that GNC is carrying it now.  Maybe you would want to try that.  I love the Bariatric Advantage wild berry calcium lozenges... they are good... but the liquid oasis is good and will absorb wonderfully.  I have not had any problems with my lab work at all.  And, you won't have to pay postage. Just a thought.

Thanks,     Ordered some from BE but think I will check on liquid from GNC too.                                                                                  Thanks Sue

Hi Ms. Sue....

How come you didn't join us last night for dinner?  I missed you hun....  You must be taking care of Ms. Stacy......

I did a post a moment ago about Calcium and thought I would do a cut and paste here about it.  I hope you are okay with that...  I just wanted to share... 

We missed you last night.......

    Here are some fun facts about Calcium.  I have several friends that have used several different WLS centers in the area and it always surprises me how each surgical center varies from center to center on their WLS rules for their patients.  With that being said I find that each "center" appears to be pretty much unanimous on this topic...  Okay so on with the fun facts...

  Which ever calcium supplement you choose make sure that it includes magnesium, vitamin C and vitamin D.  These important ingredients help in absorption. 

  There are a couple of different forms of calcium, and from what I have read several experts in the medical field disagree on which form is the best one.  Here are the two forms:  

  Calcium Carbonate - If you have ever looked at Calcium supplements in the vitamin section of your store you will find an over abundance of this form.  I have heard it is because it is the least expensive.  The problem with this form is that it requires an acid that the stomach provides to be absorbed and pretty much everyone with a normal stomach has this acid readily available.  However, a gastric bypass patient no longer has this supply of acid in their small pouch.  An end result of that is non absorption of the Calcium supplement. 

  Calcium Cirtrate - This is the one my WLS center wants me to use.  Evidently scientist have been able to prove that there is no stomach acid required for absorption.  I am not a scientist nor am I a professional in the medical community which pretty much leaves me to have to trust my surgeons office on this presented fact. 

  Early on when I had one of my first labs done after WLS I was low on iron and have been taking a prescribed Iron pill.  They told me not to take my iron pill with my calcium pill stating that the iron interferes with the body's absorption of calcium. 

  So that pretty much makes me taking pills all day long..... LOL...

  I tend to lean on the side of belief that if you do something long enough it becomes second nature to you and you begin to do it without even having to think about it or think about how much you hate to do it. 

  So with that being said, I have only ever taken the Cirtacal Calcium Citrate Caplets plus D.  I still to this day being 17 months out chop those babies up with my pill chopper upper because I have never in my life time been able to ingest a horse pill that is the size of Connecticut.