For a menopausal or post-menopausal woman, the required daily intake
of calcium is 1200-1500 mg. Is this the elemental calcium? Most of
the calcium products sold on the market do not list the elemnetal
calcium amount. What is the right amount (mg) I shoudl take? How do
know if the mg listed is elemental or in compounded form? For someone
with low bone density (osteopenia), shoudl she
take prescribed medicine or jsut rely on the calcium supplements as a
treatment? Can the loss of bone density be restored? I would really
appreciate if someone with personal experience can recommended a good
brand of calcium supplement that I can depend on. Thanks very much. |
Clarification of Question by
khristena-ga
on
09 Mar 2006 14:21 PST
Please also advise what the best form of calcium supplement is,
chewable, liquid or tablet? (in terms of absorption and stomach
upset) Thanks.
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Clarification of Question by
khristena-ga
on
10 Mar 2006 09:38 PST
I am confused about the supplement information on the bottle. When it says
that it contains calcium (carbonate, sulfate, lactate, phorphate, itrate)
750 mg, is this the elemental calcium? If not, isn't the recommended
daily serving size too small to provide the required 1200-1500mg
elemental calcium?
Please, pleae someone out there advise me on the correct information. Thanks much.
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Clarification of Question by
khristena-ga
on
10 Mar 2006 10:08 PST
I forgot to mention that the person is already taking the ultra mega
woman's multivitamin from GNC, but test shows low bone density still.
Please advise to what other calcium supplements are neecssary. SGould
she take calcium alone or
calcium plus other minerals (magnesium, vitamin-D, etc) since the
mutiitamin already has these minerals.
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Hello Khristena,
Doctors recommend that all women, particularly those over 40 take
a calicum citrate supplement. Many women prefer to take half a dose in
the morning, and the other half in the evening, to help the body
better absorb as much as possible.
Ask your friend to visit her doctor to find out if she needs
further therapy for osteoporosis. The doctor may determine she needs a
medication such as Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel or hormone replacement
therapy. This is something that the doctor and your friend can
determine after discussing the side effects of said medications, and
if your friend's condition warrants such medication.
Elemental, in the term "elemental calcium", refers to pure calcium.
For example, calcium carbonate is 40% pure calcium.
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/substances_view/1,1525,884,00.html
"Some recent studies have suggested that calcium citrate is better
absorbed than calcium carbonate and that the citrate form might thus
be more effective in helping to prevent or ameliorate osteoporosis. An
analysis of 15 randomized trials concluded that calcium citrate was
absorbed 22% to 27% better than calcium carbonate, whether taken on an
empty stomach or with food. More research will be needed, however, to
demonstrate conclusively that calcium citrate is more beneficial than
calcium carbonate in osteoporosis."
http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/cal_0052.shtml
Calcium Citrate (also called citrated calcium) is one of the most
recommended forms of absorbable calcium.
" * Calcium carbonate, which can be refined from limestone, natural
elements of the earth, or may come from shell sources, usually oyster.
Shell sources are often described on the label as a "natural" source.
Calcium carbonate from oyster shells is not "refined" and can contain
variable amounts of lead.
* Chelated calcium, which refers to a special way in which calcium
is chemically combined with another substance. Calcium citrate is an
example of such a chelated preparation. Calcium may also be combined
with other substances to form preparations such as calcium lactate or
calcium gluconate.
* Powdered bone (bonemeal) or dolomite, a mineral found in rock.
(Bonemeal is not recommended, as it may contain contaminants.)"
http://www.osteoporosis.ca/english/About%20Osteoporosis/Nutrition/Vitamin%20D/default.asp?s=1
"The University of Arizona which confirmed that a specific regimen of
weight-bearing and resistance exercises, combined with calcium citrate
supplement over four years, provided significant improvement in bone
mineral density (BMD) of postmenopausal women at key skeletal sites,
whether or not they were on hormone therapy (HT)."
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=37038
Additional information:
http://www.nof.org/prevention/calcium_supplements.htm
Foods high in calcium:
http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/fcs/bb/highCalciumFds.html
I hope this has helped you out. Please request an Answer Clarification
if anything is unclear. I'll be glad to assist you further, before you
rate my answer.
Sincerely, Crabcakes
Search Terms
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calcium citrate |
Request for Answer Clarification by
khristena-ga
on
12 Mar 2006 13:55 PST
I AM TAKING GNC's Calcium Citrate 1000 (a serving size of 4 contains
1000mg of calcium). But I ddon't know if this is the total contents
of elemental calcium or compounded calcium. I read that the elemental
calicum contained in calcium citrate is only 21%. Does this mean that
I need to take 16 tablets per day in order to receive the RDA amount
of 1000mg? I am really confused about the product information. Which
brand of calcium is better than another?
SHoudl I look for calicum with vitamin D and magnesium or calcium with
vitamin-D or just calicum alone? Some people said that a water
soluble calcium is far better than calcium citrate for better
absorption. Pls clarify, thanks.
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Request for Answer Clarification by
khristena-ga
on
12 Mar 2006 14:29 PST
If I am taking Citracal as recommended by many physicians, shoudl I
try to take the one without vitamin-D since 2 tablets already supply
400IU. If I take a multivitamin which has 400ID of vitamin-D, am I
already have too much vitamin-D?
One of teh article you supplied talked about taking 2 tablets of
citracal twice a day. Does it mean taking a total of 4 tablets or 2
tablets to get the daily intake of elemental calcium of 800mg? I am
confused about the conversion?
Pls clarify, thanks.
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Clarification of Answer by
crabcakes-ga
on
13 Mar 2006 10:26 PST
Hi Khristina,
You asked "I AM TAKING GNC's Calcium Citrate 1000 (a serving size of 4 contains
1000mg of calcium). But I ddon't know if this is the total contents
of elemental calcium or compounded calcium. I read that the elemental
calicum contained in calcium citrate is only 21%."
No. You are confusing percentages with miligrams(mg.) It is
possible for a tablet with 1,000 mg. to be only 21% calcium. But that
21% can contain 1,000 mg of calcium. Let's say we have a measuring cup
that contains 1 cup of powder. Let's add 1,000 mg. of powdered calcium
to the cup. Let's say that 1,000 mg. of this calcium powder fills the
cup to the 1/4 cup mark. Let's add filler that will help hold the
calium into a tablet shape and make it more easily digestible. Now,
you have one full cup of a calcium mixture. It is 25% calcium, and 75%
filler. If you took the whole cup (UGH!), you would get 1,000 mg of
calcium, that is 25% of the whole cup (or tablet).
However, one 1000 mg tablet is too much at one time. Try to get a
tablet that says 400mg calcium, in citrate form, and take 4 (four)
tablets per day, throughout the day for the most calcium for your
buck! Keep reading...
If it is recommended that you take 1,200 - 1,500 mg of calcium a
day, and the label states it contains 400g of calcium, then you would
need to take 3-4 tablets a day.(The rest is filler or ingredients that
make the calcium absorbable) Spreading the tablets out to twice a day
is a good idea, as the body can only absorb so much at one time. SOe
manufacturers add Vitamin D, as it is needed for the body to utilize
the calcium.
Citated calcium (calcium citrate) has been proved as the form of
calcium that is most easliy absorbed by the body. Citracal is one
brand, but there are cheaper store brands that are just as good. As
long as the label states the amount of calcium contained in the
tablet in mg. form, that is how much calcium is in the tablet,
irrespective of the form. Citrated calcium is best for people prone to
constipation, and also for patients that use stomach acid blocking
drugs such as Tagamet, Prilosec, Nexium, Aciphex, etc.
According to this health site, we can absorb only 500mg of calcium
at once. so taking 3-4 400mg tablets, throughout the day would ensure
maximum absorbency.
http://www.stronghealth.com/services/orthopaedics/osteoporosiscenter/prevention/calcium.cfm
Daily requirements for Vitamin D are 600-800 IU/day. If you could get
a 400mg citrated calcium tablet with 200 IU of Vitain D, taking 2-4
throughout the day would supply all you need! Remember, taking more
than needed can be harmful too!
" * The amount of calcium in supplements varies from 200 mg to 600
mg, and should be printed on the label.
* Read the label - a supplement 'serving' may contain 400 mg of
calcium, but that 'serving' may be two tablets.
* Research suggests that calcium supplements are best absorbed
when taken in doses of 500 mg of calcium or less. For this reason,
your calcium supplementation should most often be split over the
course of the day.
* Most often, chewable tablets are absorbed better than pills that
are swallowed whole.
* If you use a non-chewable pill, you can check if it can dissolve
well: place the pill in a glass of warm water for 30 minutes and then
stir; if the pill dissolves in the water, it should also dissolve in
your stomach.
* Some people taking calcium supplements are concerned about lead
content. The FDA maximum for lead intake is 6.0 mcg/day. Lead-free
calcium supplements include Tums, Walgreen's, Equate, Nature Made,
Sundown (all calcium carbonate) as well as Citracal (calcium citrate).
Two well known calcium supplements that contain lead are, Caltrate
(3.43 mcg/day) and OsCal (1.74 mcg/day). These amounts assume an
intake of 1500 mg of calcium per day"
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/guides/calcium.htm
Sincerely,Crabcakes
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Request for Answer Clarification by
khristena-ga
on
13 Mar 2006 15:18 PST
I really appreciate that you take so much time to expalin teh details.
It is clear to me now. I want to ask one more question before I rate
your answer.
I am taking GNC's ultra mega which already has 400IU of vitamin-D. If
I take Citracal plus D (630 mg of calcium, 400 IU of vitamin-D for a
serving size of 2). I am taking 4 tablets which gives me 1260 mg of
calcium and 800IU of vitamin-D. Adding another 400 IU of Vitamin-D
from my multivitamin, I am getting a total of 1200IU of vitamin-D. Is
that too much vitamin-D which can be harmful? Shoudl I switch to
Citracal without vitamin-D? You didn't address another question that
I brought up earlier. That is, the article you provided talked about
4 tablets of Citracal will give 800 mg of elemental calcium? How does
this work? Pls explain. thanks.
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Clarification of Answer by
crabcakes-ga
on
14 Mar 2006 18:59 PST
Hi there,
I can't seem to find the article you referenced, but, in asnwer to
that question, and your last clarifications,I repeat:
Try to get a tablet that says 400mg calcium, in citrate form, and take 4 (four)
tablets per day, throughout the day. As long as the label says 400mg
of calcium, that is how much calcium the tablet contains. The need for
Vitamin D is 600-800 IU/day.
When you say you are taking 1,000mg of Citrical, and a serving size
equals 4, do you ean 4 tablets? If so, then each tablet should contain
250mg of calcium. If each tablet also contains 200IU of Vitain D, you
are good to go! Take 2 tablet sin the morning, and two in the evening,
or take 1 every few hours throughout the day. Timing is not critical.
As long as your daily calcium adds up to 1,200 - 1,500mg and your
Vitamin D adds up to 800 IU, you are safe. Excess calcium can cause
kidney stones, so don't overdo it.
It's true, you don;t need the excessive Vitamin D from your
multi-vitamin. You could take just 3 of your Citrical D, and be fine.
You DO eat some dairy products, I assume. If you regularly eat cheese,
milk, yogurt, and other foods high in calcium, you'll be getting all
you need. A glass of milk can give you a boost and milk has Vitamin D
Added!
I would really recommend taking 3 of your Citrical D, giving you
enough calcium, combined with dietary calcium, and plenty of Vitamin
D. (You could even chew 1-2 Tums for an extra boost without adding
ectra Vitain D. If you are still worried, please discuss this matter
with your doctor.
Here is some information on Vitamin D toxicity:
"Toxic effects have occurred in adults receiving 2500 µg (100,000
IU)/day for several months."
http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual/section1/chapter3/3e.jsp
http://www.springboard4health.com/notebook/v_d.html
I wish you the best of luck. Don't forget that weight bearing
exercises are good for strengthening bone mass!
http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/fcs/bb/exercise.html
http://www.nof.org/prevention/exercise.htm
Sincerely, Crabcakes
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