Question:
alcium Carbonate vs Calcium Citrate difference
— Charlotte G. (posted on June 21, 2003)
June 21, 2003
Simple - calcium citrate is absorbed in the post-RNY patient and calcium
carbonate isn't...JR
— John Rushton
June 21, 2003
JR is right, and let me just add that Carbonate isn't very absorbable by
regular folks, much less those of us with rearranged insided. Carbonate is
blackboard chalk. It will NEVER get into your cells which is where it
needs to be. And while we're on the subject, you need to have Magnesium
with the calcium citrate in order to be absorbed. One doesn't work without
the other.
— KelBurt
June 21, 2003
In addition to what the others said, calcium carbonate needs stomach acid
to be useful, and we have very little of that anymore. Citrate does not,
anyone can absorb it. Even normies, as they age, lose stomach acid, so not
only bypass patients need Citrate, seniors citizens do, too.
— Leslie F.
June 21, 2003
So where did my orginal post go? Interesting. I guess if you 'challenge'
some of the so called 'experts' on here, your post gets tossed. This is
very unfortunate. I will say again....it is upsetting when the so called
'experts' tell other's that the way they are doing things is all wrong.
Sounds like some of us think we know more than the real experts. Why is it
so trendy to speak out against calcium carbonate? How is it you all claim
to know more than doctors and nutritionists? Do you all base your
'knowledge' on the experience of ONE person? Maybe this one person was
predisposed to osteoporosis. Please don't state things as FACT. State
them for what they are...your HUMBLED opinion. Thank you.
— Ginger M.
June 21, 2003
P.S. For every article you could send me to suport your theory, I could
send one that counteracts it. So there! ;)
— Ginger M.
June 21, 2003
Ginger...you would think with all of the questions out there surrounding
calcium carbonate in the medical literature and no questions out there
surrounding calcium citrate, that you'd be taking the one that you *know*
is absorbed vs. one that may or may not be absorbed...JR
— John Rushton
June 21, 2003
I saw my surgeon for my two year checkup and asked if there was some
chewable calcium citrate. He really surprised me when he did'nt see the big
deal with citrate vs. carbonate. He does alot of RNY's too. I've been
trying to find a chewable citrate for two years with no luck, I may as well
get chewable carbonate because at this point I'm not getting
"any" calcium. ;) Perhaps that is why my athrtus has spread since
WLS.
— Danmark
June 22, 2003
There is no doubt in my mind calcium citrate is good. There is ALSO no
doubt in my mind that calcium carbonate with your magnesium and Vit D is
good. That is my point. Some of you proclaim calcium carbonate as
ineffective and non absorbable. NOT the case. Not at all! I wouldn't
hesitate to take the calcium citrate IF I could take it like I take my
calcium carbonate without the mega doses and possible interference with my
taking of iron. Who wants to take all those calcium citrates as frequently
as you must? And then add the higher cost. Not that cost would be an
influencing factor or me at all. Can't put a price on good health. And
I'm here to tell you I am enjoying GREAT health on my calcium carbonate,
iron 'sulfate', sublingual B-12, and two Centrum Silvers a day. Labs and
Dexa prove my point. Erroneous statements that what I am taking is
ineffective does not prove ANY point.
— Ginger M.
June 22, 2003
There was quite a bit of discussion on the calcium issue at this year's
ASBS conference. Most of the pros are now recommending calcium citrate
& the non-sulfate irons. Some will finally be testing us PRE-OP for
bone damage, which will be helpful. About 50% of start with some damage
already. I'll never know as I was not scanned pre-op. However, more &
more studies are being done, along with more in fo being shared on what our
physiology actually IS. Book learning on normies & THEN application to
WLS is just in its infancy. The crossover has not been made yet
— vitalady
June 22, 2003
I'm still pre-op, but this issue really concerns me. I want to be
healthier post-op, not having to worry about bone loss and osteoporosis. I
posted the following information several times on the message board, and
also in the Q&A section. I believe it bears another repeat. As
Michelle stated, the research on this issue is in its infancy, and we must
all follow it closely to stay current on what we should be doing. Here is
my post from 4/30/03:<p>I want to share this information with all of
you. I had been in contact with a researcher at the Univ. of Pittsburgh,
who has been conducting a study on calcium absorption of post-op gastric
bypass patients. I found the article on the UPMC website: upmc.com. It
briefly stated the research being done, and stated that bone loss was at a
high rate following surgery. I emailed the researcher and asked a couple
questions about the study, including what type of calcium the participants
took. I received the following response:
"Dear Ms McChesney: Thanks so much for your interest in our research.
We have been recommending that people take 1000mg calcium citrate daily
because we also were concerned that calcium carbonate would not be absorbed
after the surgery. The calcium in Tums is calcium carbonate. Our patients
were taking a variety of supplements but largely switched to calcium
citrate. A very similar operation used to be done to treat stomach ulcers.
The part of the stomach which produces the most acid is bypassed so stomach
acid is greatly reduced. We are also strongly recommending that people
maintain vitamin D intake in the form of 1-2 multivitamins daily. Most
vitamin D doesn't come from food, but is made by the body during sun
exposure. This obviously varies with time of year and what latitude you
live on. However vitamin D deficiency has been described in people after
bypass surgery who weren't taking supplements. I would also suggest to
someone who has discovered low bone density after this surgery that they
have their vitamin D level checked. If someone is deficient, osteoporosis
therapies will not be effective. There are very high dose forms of vitamin
D available as a prescription which are given over a month to build levels
up fast. Vitamin D deficiency can also cause muscle aches and weakness if
it is severe and longstanding. There are many other supplements including
iron and B12 which also need to be taken lifelong after the operation! I
hope this has been helpful Penny Coates"
— Carlita
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