Question:
Calcium: what about oyster shell calcium?

I've seen all the posts about Calcium Citrate and Carbonate. But do we as post-ops absorb the calcium in pills like Os-Cal, which say that the calcium is from oyster shell? The supplement I picked up also has vitamin D too. 2 pills = 1000 mg, the recommended dose. I haven't seen any discussion on this. These pills are much less expensive than the calcium citrate, and easier for me to get down too. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks! =)    — Sarah C. (posted on September 28, 2002)

September 28, 2002
I don't think it absorbs well in gastic bypass pationts, my nutritionist said to take citracal.
   — sandra M.

September 28, 2002
The coating on these tablets make in impossible to break down. Therefore, no absorption can take place. The best absorption will take place with a liquid calcium. You mentioned the oyster shell calcium was cheapest, and they should be because close to 0% absorption takes place. The best calcium available is "Isotonix" Calcium Plus. With close to 90% absorption within 5 minutes, you can't go wrong. You really get what you pay for in nutritional supplements. "Isotonix" brand also offers Multivitamin, B12, Vitamin C, digestive enzymes, minerals, etc. All are sold in powder form and ingested in liquid form after adding water. One dose = 2 oz. liquid. Plus, "Isotonix" took it one step further. Once the water is added it becomes a pre-digested form which means no further breakdown is required. You just mix, drink on an empty stomach, and absorption is COMPLETE
   — Patti S.

September 28, 2002
Woah!!! Don't know what happened there but all of a sudden my message was processed and I wasn't finished!! Anyway, I was saying, absorption is complete within 5 minutes. These supplements are available at the following website: pattischmoldt.unfranchise.com OR, you can contact me at: [email protected] Patti RN
   — Patti S.

September 28, 2002
No. Not well absorbed AT ALL. In some circles, OS is considered unsafe for human consumption, but that one is still being debated. Stick with citrate. Anything less is Russian roulette with your bones.
   — vitalady

September 28, 2002
Whether or not the coating keeps a pill from being absorbed is easily tested. Take the pill and put it in 4 oz of room temp water. If it dissolves within 20 minutes it will dissolve in our tummies, if it sits there like a rock or only partially dissolves that is what it will do in our tummies. For people who don't have rny you put a tsp of vinegar, but we no longer have the stomach acid so no vinegar in ours:) good luck
   — Becky K.

September 28, 2002
I should add that dissolving is not the same as absorbing, and we don't absorb oyster shell calcium according to my Dr and my research. It really needs to be citrate!
   — Becky K.

October 2, 2002
Calcium gluconate is the most absorbale form of calcium - it is pharmaceutical grade. The only product I have found is called Cal-Max. It is not cheap but well worth the $ knowing that my body absorbs it 100% - it is a powder that you make into a drink. www.mpdirect.com
   — Lisa B.