Question:
How much time should there be between calcium dosages?..

I am a little overwhelmed. I know we only absorb 500mg of calcium a day which means we need to take it 2-3 times a day, but we can't take it with iron (which is in my multi) because that keeps our bodies from absorbing..but how long should we wait between dosages, how long after the multi with iron should we wait before the first dosage....same thing for protein supp's, we absorb 30 grams max at a sitting...how much time should we wait between "protein sittings"....I just want to do the right thing here, any help would be great!!!    — Lisa G. (posted on September 5, 2002)

September 5, 2002
3-4 hours between the iron/vits and calcium. I take the mutiple vits/w/iron in the am, and 4 hours later the calcium w/vit C and food. Then 3 hours after that and so on. I make sure the first is 4 hours for maximum time. I never flush my food or vitamins with any water either, to get maximum absorbency. Dunno about protein, I don't space that or worry about it.
   — ZZ S.

September 5, 2002
2-3 hours between anything, basically. So, just about when you eat a tiny meal.
   — vitalady

September 6, 2002
Hi Lisa! I usually take one calcium (and b12) in the morning, my multivit at noon, and another calcium in the afternoon or at bedtime. I saw one study that showed that things move thru our abbreviated system in about 2 hours so anything after that should be OK.
   — ctyst

September 6, 2002
I would suggest taking your multi in the am and your calcium later in the day---do not take them at the same time as iron and calcium cancel each other out. As for protein---I would suggest eating throughout the day and not eating late at night. Make sure that you do not drink anything when eating--wait at least 30 minutes to have something to drink. Fluids will enable food to flush through your pouch and there's a chance of overeating. Hope this helps!
   — Bambi C.