Question:
Can we have a calcium and a half?

Hi there, Amos family! I read through the Q&A's and couldn't find an answer to this....I read that we can only absorb about 500mg of calcium at a time. Most calcium tablets are HUGE and I usually have to cut them in half to be able to get them down. That being, I was wondering if anyone has ever taken a tablet (cut in two) and another half of one? It would make it about 475 mg of calcium at one sitting, but does that reasonable, it's just hard at times to take so MANY tablets a day, but if I could condense them a little that would be helpful. Any ideas? Thanks. Vi open RNY 9/23/02 down 149 lbs.    — Vi F. (posted on July 22, 2003)

July 21, 2003
I am not sure on the dosage, but my cousin takes Viactive and says it tastes wonderful and doesnt mind taking them at all. They might be a better alternative for you. Best wishes
   — Michele L.

July 21, 2003
You can probably do that. I like the Twin Labs chewable tabs, myself. By the way, Viactiv is calcuim carbonate. you might as well eat candy for all the good they would do!
   — koogy

July 22, 2003
Well here we go on the calcuim train again. you cannot absorb Viactv. The other poster is right it is carbonate. I am amazed that some docs still tell their pts to chew tums or take viactv. But back to your question. I take 1500 mg of calcuim citrate per day because i am post menopausal. Normally you would only take 1000. My capsules are huge. I use a pill-splitter and cut then in two. They are actually not capsules but oblong pills. I take two halves three times a day and it does not hurt to cut them. Most calcuim comes in 500mg doses. What are you taking?
   — Delores S.

July 22, 2003
Calcium Tablets ? I still don't take any tablets in any form, I'm 14 months post op and have found the best Calcium Citrate capsules ever..... Each one Capsule contains 500mg, unlike the ones you buy in the store only contain 250mg, I buy my calcium threw www.bodybuilders.com it runs about $5.00 for about 60 capsules, and what's even great they are about the same size as my trinsicon...... Check it out, I could never do that big tablet, tried it and oh man just didn't like it.... Hope the info helps... Much luck
   — tannedtigress

July 22, 2003
I take 3 calcium capsules throughout the day. They are the clear capsules with powder in them. They dissolve very quickly in your pouch. See my website link for a place to get them that is recommended by my surgeon. The woman that runs the sight is a post-op herself. Prices are great too.
   — blank first name B.

July 22, 2003
Oh, forgot to mention that they are calcium citrate. The only kind we absorb.
   — blank first name B.

July 22, 2003
Hi there! Original poster here. I take a calcium citrate plus vitamin D that I get from Wal-mart, we are on a very tight budget and that is all we can afford, if we could afford Twinlabs or even things from wlssuccess or vitalady, I would, but this is all we can do for now, I figure it's better than not having it at all. This calcium comes in 315mg doses per tablet. I take 4 a day to equal 1200 mg. I'm not menopausal or anything, but Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis runs in the family and I'd rather be safe than sorry. I know how much to take, but my question was should I take a pill and a half, which would equal about 475 mg. Thanks, Vi.
   — Vi F.

July 22, 2003
Go ahead and take the 1 1/2 tablets at a time. As long as you take no more than 500 mg at a time, spaced out at least 2 hours apart you'll do great. Try and take at least one dose in the evening as that's when we're supposed to absorb it the best.
   — LLinderman