Question:
Am I getting same benifits..crushing vs taking whole?

Crushing our calcium citrate tabs: Am I receiving the same benifits (absorbing) by crushing or taking whole (or cut in 1/2)? I place my in diluted oj or apple juice and drink it down. The pills are sooo BIG. Even cutting them in 1/3 is still difficult to swallow.    — sandy W. (posted on September 12, 2002)

September 12, 2002
Hi there...you pose an interesting question. I believe that it doesn't matter, just based on what my surgeon has told me. I complained that the vitamins were too big to swallow whole and he said to cut them up for a while until it gets easier to take. I take all of my vitamins whole now and don't have any problems. My blood work is just fine, too. It will get easier for you to swallow those pills whole eventually! Good luck to you!
   — LaRayne H.

September 12, 2002
Calcium CITRATE is happier in a non-acid environment. YOu get better absorption. That's one reason it's so much better for RNY (we have very little, if any, stomach acid in a pouch). Try this: small glass of water. Rinse your mouth, spit it back in the glass a few times. Sacrifice a pill into your spit-water. Time it. How long does it take to dissolve? Less than 15 min? Less than 5? I've not crushed pills. I can't even THINK of doing that. But I do test all mine to be sure they're fast.
   — vitalady

September 13, 2002
Hi Sandy, I just addressed this very question to my nutritionist on Wednesday. She told me to dissolve a Citrical+D in Crystal Light 3 times a day and that would be fine. She said it works just the same, and does not change the taste of the Crystal Light at all. I need to go buy some and I will be trying it soon! Hope this helps Tam
   — Tami D.