Question:
I want to know what is absorbed more readily; calcium citrate liquid or tablets

   — Charlotte G. (posted on August 22, 2003)

August 22, 2003
More so than what is absorbed more readily is how much of what you are taking is elemental calcium. I was taking a Tropical Oasis liquid calcium citrate which said it had 1200 mg of citrate yet when I called to ask how much was elemental, it turned out to only be 250. Elemental is what is most readily absorbed. Vitalady sells a few different citrate products-I take a capsule, but I know she also carries a powder that you put into a shake/drink.
   — Cindy R.

August 22, 2003
Most of the calcium tablets dissolve pretty quickly . . . Actually that was my problem with them. They would start to dissolve before I could get them swallowed good: Gag city! I think as long as you are taking calcium citrate with some vitamin D, you should be OK. You can't absorb more than 500 mg at a time and you shouldn't take calcium and iron together (they each interfere with the absorption of the other).<p>The "elemental" calcium issue explained: The calcium that you buy is calcium (positively charged) PLUS another group of molecules with a net negative charge (such as citrate or carbonate). They bond together like two magnets. When you digest the "compound" (the calcium plus the other part), you are effectively pulling the two halves apart and turning the calcium into the ionic form so that your body can absorb it. (Side note: the reason that RNYers can't absorb calcium carbonate is because it takes a very strong acid to pull the two halves apart and our most acidic gastric regions have been bypassed.)<p>SOOOO when the bottle says 1200mg of calcium XXX (whatever the other half may be) but 250mg of elemental calcium, what that means is that the weight of BOTH HALVES is 1200 mg but of that you are only getting 250 mg of the calcium ion.<p>Is that clear as mud? LOLOLOL
   — ctyst