Question:
How much calcium and can I talk it all at one time?
I recently found out that the calcium carbonate was not good for people who has had gastric by-pass. I just found a good type of calcium citrate at GNC which is the ActiveCal. They are soft and chewy and come in Chocolate or Carmel. I am wondering how much calcium you should have after having the bypass and can you take it all at one time? Thanks so much! — Amy E. (posted on October 1, 2001)
October 1, 2001
If there is anyone you know who really has the facts about calcium
absorption in rny proximal AND
distal patients plz let me kmow.
The LAST thing I heard was never take magnesium WITH calcium and
take the magnesium at bedtime -
about 1000- or less if you get any
dieurrea(sp). Magnesium STEARATE
the best - not oxide. Now I hear
Boron is best calcium. And I hear
take calcium no less than 2 hours
before or after a meal. The boron
mixed with water in the morning.
Citrical has different pills-
and I hear they and other companies
put put a liquid.ETC ETC ETC
Is there a straight story to be
found- does anyone really have any
research information? BLOOD TESTS
for calcium do not tell how much
help your bones are getting- only
a bone scan helps show that! I wonder if that is true?
— charlene M.
October 1, 2001
Amy thanks for the info on the chewy calcium.
As for the research, I just decided to do my own. I have a book on
nutrition. I'm going to get one on physiology too. I just want to be able
to understand how my body plans on working this thing. It is nice to hear
others' experiences but also nice to know what the textbooks say. I've
been passive for way too long about my life and health and its time to put
"me" first. Good luck and God Bless!
— Kimberly L.
October 1, 2001
I understand your confusion! I am currently taking the TwinLab Chewable
Calcium Citrate Wafers, but am very interested in the ones you found at
GNC. Anyway, you should have between 1000 and 1500 mg. per day of calcium.
Generally, you should take it in two doses as your body can't absorb more
than about 500 mg. at a time. You should also preferably take it with
Vitamin D to help with absorption. I am currently taking 500 mg. in the
morning and another 500 mg. at bedtime.
— Denise C.
October 1, 2001
My surgeon and the nutritionist I saw said that I should simply take 4 TUMS
EX each day. Now, that would be 4000gms of calcium carbonate - providing
1600gms of elemental calcium each day. I was told that I should spread
them out so my body could absorb as much as possible. But, now I am
confused...why isn't calcium carbonate good for those who have had a
gastric bypass?
— PaulaM
October 2, 2001
Amy are you sure that the ActiveCal you purchased was calcium CITRATE? I
just got home from GNC and the only ActiveCal they carried was calcium
CARBONATE. Please double check this for me as I was really looking forward
to a good tasting chewable citrate!
Thanks!
— Virginia N.
October 2, 2001
Calcium citrate is the best absorbed by ANYONE. But people who have no
digestive juices/enzymes, have NO chance at all of breaking down calcium
carbonate (Tums, Viactiv, Caltrate 600) or oyster shell (such as OScal).
Tums would neutralize any little bit of acid we managed to get. Calcium
citrate is ideal with 2 to 1 magnesium ratio, such as 500mg citrate to 250
mag. Having some vit D in there is ideal. Boron and ipriflavone help
calcium absorb and help prevent bone loss. Boron does not take the place of
calcium, just enhances it. 500mg per serving is correct, at least 1500mg
per day is advisable, although more is fine if your doc says so. But
still, 500mg per dose. Read packaging carefully for elemental calcium and
the serving size. There are very few products that contain over 300mg per
pill, usually 600 (=/-) per PAIR. Calcium blood work has value, but does
not necessarily indicate the condition of your bones. Dexascan (not ankle
or wrist) is a true indicator of bones. Blood tests indicate calcium in the
blood and that is related to overall health & heart, distantly. BOTH
are important, so one does not negate the other. DO BOTH, but don't be
confused about which is which. Personally, I'd like to see all of us
dexascan pre-op, then again at 1 or 2 years, depending on how many of the
risk factors an individual has. For sure, we will all lose massive wt and
have trouble absorbing calcium, as our calcium absorption vehicle has been
disabled.
— vitalady
November 15, 2001
Vitalady just came out with calcium citrate CAPSULES (with Vits A&D)
that you can open and just dump the powder into your drink or food. (Makes
me feel like I'm in an Agatha Christie novel!) I could NOT get down those
horse pills so found this a huge relief.
— cjtich
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