Question:
I need information on calcium
I am 6 months post-op, down 94lb's... I have little education on calcium and vitamins needed. Today I purchased GNC ActiveCal dietary supplement chewable calcium in chocolate and carmel. Each serving provides 500 mg of Calcium, 100IU vitamin D, 40 mg of Vitamin K and only 2g of sugar, also it's 20 calories. Is this acceptable?? I'm also taking One-a-day multi-vitamins for woman... I need some advise... thanks — [Anonymous] (posted on January 15, 2002)
January 15, 2002
Hi, I am 5 months post op now and I take 2 to4 tums a day and of course the
vitamins. The tums are filled with calcium and go down real easily.
Especially the fruit flavored ones. Good luck to you and congrats also.
— ncgal
January 15, 2002
Sounds good to me. My suggestion to you would to be to take 3; spread
out through the evening, into the night. Say 5, 8 and 11. Calcium is best
absorbed at night in 500 mg increments. Best of luck.
— [Anonymous]
January 15, 2002
One thing: Be sure it is calcium citrate or calcium citrate malate because
the other types of calcium need stomach acids to be absorbed. I take
CalSure and/or Citrical and have tried the TwinLabs calcium citrate
chewable wafers but don't like the aftertaste. If these ARE citrate, let me
know cuz I love the chewables but can't seem to find them in the citrate
variety.
— ctyst
January 15, 2002
Those sound fine to me. I take the Viactives and have no problems at all.
As far as the difference between Calcium Citrate and Calcium Carbonate, the
citrate DOES absorb faster, but the carbonate still absorbs, only at a
slower rate. The chewables are a good type of carbonate as they don't need
the stomach acids to break them down. Your saliva starts the action and
the chewing makes it small enough to pass through the pouch and into the
intestines where all the absorption actually takes place.
— Kellie Jo B.
January 15, 2002
The citrate is absorbed by the bones. The carbonate rests in the kidneys
and blood. The only real helper for the bones is citrate with D &
magnesium, and as mentioned, every few hours 500mg doses.
— vitalady
January 16, 2002
I am told by both nutritionist and surgeon that carbonate is absorbed just
as well as citrate BUT that you need to eat or drink a glass of milk while
taking the Carbonate to be ensured full absorption. And, as the one other
poster said, at least we get the nice chews with carbonate.
— Tracy L.
January 16, 2002
Please take the Calcium Citrate. I found out the hard way that Carbonate
was not being absorbed. Within 3 months after surgery, I suffered with
terrible leg cramps that really felt like they came from the bone. My feet
actually were pulled to the side ( inward) if you will. I tested fine for
iron,potassium and B12, but low on the Calcium. And I was taking the chews
and the Tums. Now I take CalAbsorb. It is in powder form. I do not
suffer with cramping anymore.
— Sandra E.
January 17, 2002
UPDATE! I just found a supplement bar with calcium citrate that tastes
GREAT! It is called CalciDelite (peanut butter chocolate flavor) by Natrol.
It has 100% RDA calcium as calcium citrate. It also has 4g protein. Now be
warned that it does have 12g sugar but it took me 2 snacks to eat the whole
bar. I plan to alternate these with the protein bars (I usually have 1 bar
a day) to keep me away from sweets.
— ctyst
January 17, 2002
Calcium Citrate or Calcium Fumarate. Calcium Fumarate is actually found in
two flavors of Crystal Light and one 8 oz glass is 20% of your calcium
needs. I have a strong opinion about calcium suppliments, and it is not
from me personally, but the numerous professionals I have worked with.
Calcium Carbonate is found in Tums. Carbonate absorbs much slower than
nearly all other forms of calcium. Somewhere on the Web I found a list of
the different forms of calcium and their absortion rates. Calcium citrate
is the best. With the WLS - bypass, absorption if a crutial factor. I
originally had a VBG and because my stomach was still being used I could
get good absorption from it. I would never compomise my bones in anyway..
I would take no chances... That is why I did extensive research on calcium.
I am not just saying this as a "personal feeling." Good luck to
you...
— Pamela W.
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