Question:
Calcium citrate or carbonate ? I am so confused.
My doctor says tums, viactiv chews etc but these are carbonate and everywhere I see advise to take citrate. I am totally confused by this but want to do what is best for my body and my bones. — janicediana (posted on February 11, 2002)
February 11, 2002
Citrate is better absorbed by the body than carbonate, so it's generally
recommended over the carbonate. As the Vitalady says, however, the best
calcium is the one you'll take regularly. So if you won't take the citrate
pills, but you will take the Viactiv, do the Viactiv and perhaps take a bit
extra to counteract the lower absorption rate.
— kateseidel
February 11, 2002
Oops - just read a recent post by Vitalady saying she did not support this
point of view for calcium! Sorry for the misquote VL! -Kate-
— kateseidel
February 11, 2002
Close, Kate. The best protein supp is the one you'll take! LOL! Given all
other (label) things equal. Yes, I'm sticking with citrate. And I've got
the bones (or lack of) AND kidney stone to prove that carbonate is a bad
thing for US for sure. The urologists seem to think it is a bad thing for
ANYONE. Simply not well absorbed, period. Also, if anyone subscribes to
Beyond Change (or sees it in the doc office), there is a tiny article in
there on kidney stones. INteresting for me to pick this up WHILE my dh was
in surgery to have his surgically removed. But it says to avoid Tums-like
products to avoid kidney stones. That coincides with what my & my dh's
urologists had to say.
— vitalady
February 11, 2002
I see on your profile that you are distal RNY. I am RNY (proximal) and took
Viactiv for 6 months without my doctor ever telling me to take calcium
citrate. BUT I did my own research and found out that the RNY bypasses the
duodenum where calcium carbonate is absorbed (it needs those stomach acids
to release the calcium). SO I was just eating candy for 6 months. :( Now I
take CalSure twice a day (calcium citrate malate) and sometimes the TwinLab
chewable citrate wafers. Don't take your dr's word for it. It says right on
the ASBS site that RNY-ers have trouble absorbing calcium after surgery.
— ctyst
February 12, 2002
I asked my Surgeon about this on-going debate. He has been doing this
surgery for years and he said it was all silliness. He recommends taking a
calcium supplement fortified with Magnesium and Zinc. I forgot to ask why,
but that's what I take.
— Danielle M.
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