Question:
Why calcium citrate not carbonate?

I am taking chewable Caltrate. This was recommended by my dietician for the first 3 months till i can tolerate pills. Why does everyone seem to take the citrate instead? I would think calcium is calcium.    — Wendy H. (posted on December 29, 2002)

December 29, 2002
CArbonate is not well absorbed by anyone, only about 8% is absorbed, and only in persons who have stomach acid. We don't. Citrate, on the other hand, is happy as can be in our non-acidic environment. Up to 50% can be absorbed. There's all kinds of molecular things, as well, but not going there. However, carbonate is very good for building kidney stones! :-)
   — vitalady

December 30, 2002
Wendy, there are alot of surgeons/doctors out there that are not well informed on how we absorb citrate vs. carbonate. And although there are carbonate/citrate studies of non-WLS patients, there are no studies for WLS folks. In my support group, there are some long term post-ops (2 - 5 years out) who are now dealing with the early stages of osteoporosis because they took the carbonate instead of the citrate. Even my surgeon is undecided on the carbonate/citrate issue, but I have at least convinced him to inform his patients that there is such a dilemma and leave it up to them to decide. He says that we do have some acid in our stomachs, about 10 percent and that is enough to absorb the carbonate, however, for me, I'm not taking any chances and until they sort this all out, its citrate for me.
   — Cindy R.