Reminder about calcium

poet_kelly
on 6/4/11 1:57 am - OH

Just wanted to post a little reminder about calcium.  The ASMBS says we need 1500-2000 mg calcium per day and recommends calcium citrate.  The two most common kinds of calcium found in supplements are calcium citrate and calcium carbonate.  Tums, Viactiv and Caltrate are all calcium carbonate and we don’t absorb that well at all.  We absorb about 4% of the calcium in it so you’d need to take about 60 Viactivs every day to get enough calcium.  No, that’s not a typo.  Optisource also contains calcium carbonate and Bariatric Fusion has a mixture of calcium carbonate and calcium citrate.

Citracal and generic forms of Citracal contain calcium citrate, which is what we need.  It’s hard to find chewable calcium citrate in stores but Celebrate and Bariatric Advantage both make them and you can order online.  Upcal D, which is a powder you can mix in a drink, is also calcium citrate.  You can find liquid forms as well.

Tricalcium phosphate is another kind of calcium found in some supplements and it is also not absorbed well at all.  That’s what’s in Flintstones.  Wellesse, a liquid calcium supplement, contains a mixture of tricalcium phosphate and calcium citrate, so you’ll only absorb some of the calcium in there.

Make sure you take your calcium in doses of 500-600 mg and take them at least two hours apart.  Read the label carefully to see what the serving size is.  Like, Citrical petites have 400 mg per serving but a serving is TWO pills.

Take them two hours away from your iron.

View more of my photos at ObesityHelp.com          Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR.  If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor.  Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me.  If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her.    Check out my blog.

 

lisaj803
on 6/4/11 2:11 am

Thanks for the post that was helpful.  I am currently taking Caltrate.  I didnt realize that my body isnt absorbing what I need.  I am going switch to Calcium Citrate.

Lisa

poet_kelly
on 6/4/11 2:35 am - OH
The reason we don't absorb the Caltrate (or any calcium carbonate) is because our pouch doesn't make much stomach acid and you need lots of stomach acid to break down the calcium carbonate so you can absorb it.  I really wish docs would explain this stuff to people.

View more of my photos at ObesityHelp.com          Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR.  If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor.  Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me.  If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her.    Check out my blog.

 

Amy T.
on 6/4/11 2:47 am - CA
Thanks as always for the information!  I really appreciate you positng reminders for everyone!  I am just starting this journey,  surgery on Friday,  but started taking my supplements per my docs recommendation about 2 months ago to get into the habit.  

Appreciate the helpful information always!

Amy
I am ready to be an active participant in my life rather than a spectator...  

         
chrissyemerald
on 6/4/11 3:00 am - Canada
 Thanks Kelly!
Lorrainecma
on 6/4/11 4:28 am
Thanks for the reminder Kelly!!! Just got up and chewed up 500 mg of citrate. Thanks to you, I know to take my iron at least 2 hrs before or after.

Without you, I would be totally clueless about how to take them or which ones to take. Honestly, not even my NUT knows as much about the vitimans we are supposed to be taking.
Sasrah1972
on 6/4/11 4:55 am - NY
According to my surgeon, calcium carbonate is appropriate and recommended for the first three weeks after surgery ONLY. I am taking Viactiv now and will change to citrate at my 1st post op visit.
poet_kelly
on 6/4/11 5:01 am - OH
Why is it recommended for the first three weeks? 

View more of my photos at ObesityHelp.com          Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR.  If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor.  Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me.  If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her.    Check out my blog.

 

happyhealing
on 6/4/11 10:56 am
Do we have to take calcium seperately from other vitamins or was that iron?
poet_kelly
on 6/4/11 10:59 am - OH
Calcium needs to be separate from iron because it will block the absorption of iron.  You can take calcium with other vitamins OR take iron with other vitamins.  Just don't take calcium and iron together.

View more of my photos at ObesityHelp.com          Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR.  If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor.  Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me.  If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her.    Check out my blog.

 

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