Question:
IS CALCIUM CARBONATE BETTER IN THIS FORM?
Hi, I'm looking into the Isotonic Calcium, which is a powdered calcium, because I can't stand these huge horse pills I have to chew. Barabara Thompson swears by this line, she had the suegery and has written a very good book on her experience. I noticed her cacium was CARBONATE, so I e-mailed her. This was her response, "Calcium carbonate has the most elemental calcium which is the amount of usable calcium in a product. So if we could take calcium carbonate it would be better for us. The problem is that it requires gastric juices in order to be absorbed. We have little or no gastric juice, so we would normally take citrate because it does not require gastric juice. However it is much lower in elemental calcium. Isotonix calcium is in a powdered base and when mixed with water it ionizes and releases all of the elemental calcium so that it is ready to be absorbed even before it passes your lips. It allows us to absorb the higher elemental calcium(carbonate) without the need for gastric juice." So with all that said what are your thoughts on this product? It's so confusing with so many opinions and I want to do the right thing. My doctor told me to take tums which I know is the wrong thing. — Kelly* P. (posted on March 8, 2003)
March 7, 2003
For me, it's a case of Keepin' It Simple Sweetie. If the data is out there
to support Calcium Citrate, which is available in many forms and price
ranges, WHY would I go looking for a hard-to-find form of calcium carbonate
whose data is only promulgated by one person?? Now, if only citrate was
available in the form of viactivs, we'd have it made!
— Marti R.
March 7, 2003
Dear Kelly, there are some fine people associated with this site, folks who
really know their stuff and go out of their way to be there for other WLS
folks. Some have written books, posted recipes and run businesses geared to
helping the WLS community.. HOWEVER.. as much as some may know, they are
not professionals and while much of what can be shared among us is
helpful.. NONE OF IT should override the advice of medical professional.
The calcium debate is a big one, but if you seek information from the
library I think you'll see that the overwhelming response lists calcium
citrate as more absorbable for MOST WLS patients.
Kelly, your lab work will tell the tale.. choose what you think best for
you..next time your bloodwork is done be sure to pay close attention to
your calcium levels.. in the end this is the most important thing. Even if
your surgeon recommended Tums.. you might bring up this information with
him/her and see what he/she has to say. Kudos for sharing what you've
learned with the rest of us. ~Peace
— Joscelin
March 7, 2003
I agree with the previous poster. This seems like a long way to go to get
calcium, and I'm left wondering why the heck they didn't just put calcium
citrate in her vitamin line. I've read that calcium carbonate is cheaper,
so I wonder if they're pushing "isotonic" calcium carbonate in
order to eek a few more pennies of profit out of this product. Just my
cranky, cynical nature, I guess. ;~)<P>I really liked Barbara
Thompson's book, too. I said so on my profile, and based on that, one of
her reps contacted me to ask if I'd like to try to sell her new vitamins at
my WLS support meetings (and oh yeah, congrats to me on my weight
loss...gee, thanks for caring). It really bugs me when people trade on
their WLS success to hawk just one *particular* protein supplement or
vitamin, as if there aren't other good options out there too.
— Suzy C.
March 7, 2003
I take calcium citrate, which was recommended by the dietician. However, I
do want to add that blood levels of calcium really don't tell you much,
because your blood levels are no indication of whether you're developing
osteoporosis or not. I plan to ask my PCP to order a bone density test
next time I see her in April and then to have one every year after that.
From what I've read and heard, that's the only way to know if you're really
getting enough calcium.
— garw
March 8, 2003
hi! well I have been readin on this site for more then a year now and
theres much to say about calcium carbonate and calcium citrate..I have
noticed that alot of long term postops use the citrate coz carbonate proved
worthless..I havent ever seen anyone say bad things about the citrate..my
thoughts are "better safe the sorry" I use the citrate..I got a
liquid form instead of pills.. wlssuccess.com..have a great day!
— christine S.
March 8, 2003
Skip the huge chewables and try the Citracal calcium carbonate coated
tablets. They are much smaller and rounded and easy to swallow. They make
a version with D also which helps absorb calcium better. If you are going
to take calcium carbonate you need to take lots more than of the calcium
citrate. I originally bought some pills from GNC and they were huge and
not coated and I had a hard time getting them down. These are so much
easier.
— zoedogcbr
March 8, 2003
Make that Citracal Calcium CITRATE coated tablets. That's what I get for
not rereading. Chris
— zoedogcbr
March 8, 2003
There IS Calcium Citrate in the Isotonix formulation. It is actually a
blend of Carbonate, Lactate, Phosphate, Sulfate AND Citrate. It also
contains Magnesium, Manganese, B2, C, D3 and Boron which all aid in the
absorption process and provide other benefits. If you have any questions,
I would be happy to answer them. Yes, there are those of us that now make
a "living" and we DO work with medical professionals in the
field. We're not out to "make a buck", we're here to help and
have spent many hours in continuing education, and interviewing leaders and
doctors on the subjects. Renee D
— Renee D.
March 8, 2003
My surgeon also said to just take Tums, so I have. So far so good, Heck of
a lot cheaper that the supplements. Open RNY 11-11-02, down 115lbs
— dkinson
March 8, 2003
My surgeon suggests 3 tums at bedtime.....Along with 3 chewable childrens
vitamins during the day. Jamie
— Jamie M.
March 9, 2003
Hello Kelly, I am a pre-op, registered nurse and just wanted to set the
record straight regarding "Isotonix" Calcium Plus. I am also a
distributor for this fine company and have attended many trainings
regarding these supplements. I do want to say that this company's primary
concern is bringing the BEST product to the consumer. I personally know
the founder of this company and believe me, money is NOT his primary
motive. Now, regarding "Isotonix" Calcium Plus, this product is
NOT carbonate. Let me explain how this product actually works.
"Isotonix" Calcium Plus contains a combination of several
different calciums in powder base that CONVERTS to 100% calcium Citrate
when the water is added! This is extremely important!! It also contains
magnesium, manganese, vitamin B2, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, boron, and
potassium. This product is nothing short of SUPERB!!! Also, absorption
begins immediately upon taking the product. I just wanted to clear up any
negativity that was said about this product, and that it is NOT calcium
carbonate. I do not personally know Barbara Thompson, but I have tried
contacting her several times in the past but never received a response from
her. I do know that she does not have Reps working for her because we are
independent distributors for this company. So Kelly, with all that said, I
would be happy to answer any question you may have regarding
"Isotonix" Calcium Plus or any other "Isotonix" product
available. I do not care who you buy the product from, that is not
important to me. As I have said earlier, I am a registered nurse and sell
"Isotonix" strictly because I believe so strongly that
"Isotonix" is the BEST vitamin line I have ever used. I have been
taking them for over 6 years and wouldn't trade them for anything. What
attracted me most to "Isotonix" is that you can expect to absorb
about 90% of the product within 5 minutes! That alone is HUGE!!! I
encourage you to try this fabulous product. I'm sure you'll be as happy
with it as many other WLS people have been. Feel free to contact me at:
[email protected] if you have any additional questions. Best of luck to
you!!
— Patti S.
March 9, 2003
Patti - I get a kick out of your statement ""Isotonix"
Calcium Plus contains a combination of several different calciums in powder
base that CONVERTS to 100% calcium Citrate when the water is added!"
You really expect people to believe this. Tell me, what happens to the
other forms of calcium? Is there a magical chemical reaction with water
that makes the calcium carbonate, calcium lactate, calcium phosphate and
calcium sulfate (the other calcium compounds in the vitamins according to
the other Isotonix rep) magically transmute to 100% calcium citrate as you
claim??????? Tell me, can you do this transmutation with lead too and
change it into gold *G*???
<p>
That statement ""Isotonix" Calcium Plus contains a
combination of several different calciums in powder base that CONVERTS to
100% calcium Citrate when the water is added!" is one of the most
ludicrous (and totally untrue) marketing statements that I have ever
heard...JR
— John Rushton
March 9, 2003
John, I'm sorry you disagreed with my statement but that is exactly how
the product works. You have a right to your opinion, but I am only stating
facts! Nonetheless, I want to congratulate you on your incredible 157#
weight lose. Best of luck to you with the rest of your journey!
— Patti S.
March 9, 2003
Patti - it is chemically impossible for that to happen.
— John Rushton
March 12, 2003
From what I understand, the various forms of calcium do not turn into
calcium citrate but it doesn't matter because the reaction that occurs in
the cup when you add water makes the other forms of calcium fully
absorbable. The only reason we don't absorb carbonate is that we need
stomach acid to make it absorbable. This reaction is what occurs normally
in the normal stomach. With our compromised system, we don't produce
enough acid to break the carbonate down. But with the Isotonix vitamins
the fizzing in the cup is the reaction that would occur in a normal
stomach. So as we wait for the reaction to end (about 45 seconds) we drink
the calcium and it is immediately absorbed. Much better than taking one of
those big calcium pills only to find it "floating" in the toilet
an hour or two later! I like the Isotonix vitamins.....and I am not a
distributor!
Let's not be so cynical here, John. If there is a product that can help
us, let's give it a try ok?
— Mylou52
March 12, 2003
Unless the product contains acid, I wouldn't think that the calcium would
be cleaved from the carbonate. (And John is right, it won't magically
convert to citrate :) My take on it is this: I know that if I take calcium
citrate I will get my calcium in. If I take another product, I MIGHT get my
calcium in. Problem is that once the damage is done, it is DONE. HMMMM. I'd
rather hedge my bets and swallow whatever I have to and pay whatever I have
to for the reassurance that I won't have brittle bones on down the line.
That's just the way I look at it. Of course you'll make the decision that
makes sense for you.<p>That said, I have problems swallowing the
citrical horse pills, too. A couple of things work for me. I take a liquid
that I got from www.vitaminworld.com. The lemon custard flavor is ok--kind
of like lemon flavored yogurt. Also, I found that the Target generic of the
Citrical is tapered at both ends, not full and round like the Citrical. I
don't have ANY trouble swallowing them and in fact have gone back to those
instead of the liquid. ALSO, you can get calcium citrate in capsules (just
make sure it also has magnesium and vitamin D). www.vitalady.com is one
place to get them but they are available other places on the web.<p>I
agree with the poster that said if they would just make citrate Viactiv we
would have it made in the shade! I emailed them that suggestion and they
didn't even respond to me with a FORM email! I guess that one is not in the
cards!
— ctyst
December 17, 2003
— Julia Z.
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