Question:
How much Ca Citrate at a time & how much Protein daily max?

I actually have 2 questions. First..how much protin can we intake daily & it be absorbed? I usually get 60 grams daily but recently saw it advised that I go up to 90. Will this be absorbed or is it a waste?? Next..I can't remember how much Ca Citrate we can absorb at 1 time. I currently take 3 500 mg capsules 3X a day. I just ordered some chewables that are 1000 mg. Can we absorb this much at once or should I split them?    — Kathy K. (posted on October 11, 2003)

October 11, 2003
First the protein thing is up to your surgeon or nutritionist. I have to have 62-66 grams a day due to my height and bone structure, not weight, and these guidelines are for a normal person, not just an overweight WLS patient. My nutritionist also said that I shouldn't take my 1,200 mg. of citrate at one time, I take liquid 600mg, a.m. & p.m. She also told me not to mix them with my other vitamins as it inhibits the absorption, must take them at least 2 hours apart. Once I do my blood tests at 3 months out if my calcium is low then I have to go up to 1,500 mg, but she said that 1,200 mg is generally enough at my age,31.
   — Michawn

October 11, 2003
I don't know about how much protein is absorbed. There is some thinking it is 30 grams per meals, but there is nothing scientific behind it that I am aware of. It's probably a good rule of thumb and many people would not exceed 30 grams of protein in a meal anyway. <p>As far as the calcium the mainstream thinking seems to be 400mg at a time can be absorbed. This is based on pill form. I have no idea how it relates to liquid. Like one of the other posters said you need to space it out from your multi-vitamins.
   — zoedogcbr

October 11, 2003
I recently checked a medical website regarding calcium intake. A normal person can absorb about 500 mg at a time. WLS surgery patients certainly can't absorb more than that; my guess is we absorb less. So, I would think over 500 mg at a time is certainly wasted. Your dosage of 3 500 mg tablets at a time is mostly wasted, and may actually do you harm by causing kidney stones. Find out from your doc or dietitian about how calcium they want you to take a day. The 4500 mg you're taking a day sounds way too high. I take 1500 mg a day (500 mg three times a day), and that's a dosage that I've commonly heard other people taking. Also check with the doc or dietitian about the amount of protein. It does vary program by program and person to person. People seem to be told anywhere between 50 grams and 100 grams per day. That's a wide range--check with your doc. I've also heard the 30 grams maximum at a time, but also don't think it has any scientific basis.
   — Vespa R.

October 11, 2003
The 30g per serving rule comes down from the mfr of said proteins. It is based on normies, however, so there is no reason to think we can absorb even THAT much, probably less. However, it's still the rule I use for myself. Personally, I do 180g a day, but I am very distal. I MUST have 150g, by supplement. But do the 180g because I feel/look better and have more controls on eating. If I am stressed, I do more. If you're going to 3 drinks per day, the timing of them is helpful in wt loss. The general rule of thumb is 500mg of calcium per serving. But again, that rule was developed for normies. I do that much or more, but I don't recommend it to anyone else.
   — vitalady

October 13, 2003
I'd assume you can only absorb 500. And take 3 chewables 3x a day, Basically what you are doing now.
   — mrsmyranow