Best Calcium Supplement?
Which is the best type of calcium supplement? I've been taking calcium citrate (Citracal) which I understand is more easily absorbed than calcium carbonate (Caltrate). Most recently I've been hearing about calcium phosphate as an alternative. I like that it is available as a powder and may be less constipating than calcium citrate but it seems that is calcium phosphate is more for pets. Your thoughts?
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I do not take the supplement boron either. Just get it in food.
Ellya, I also am on lifelong steroids for fifty years now. Two years ago started Prolia injections. It has improved my bones yet side effects are tough. My calcium levels stay normal with calcium supplements. I take 600 tablets twice a day. One in the morning and another in the evening. 😊
Thank you for the information. I appreciate it!
I too had osteopenia- was placed on hormone replacement as I was also perimenopausal and fairly symptomatic….took calcium…developed osteoporosis anyway (4 years later) and then breast cancer. Don’t ignore the osteopenia and see an endocrinologist who has an interest/focus in osteopenia/osteoporosis/ women’s health. There are many newer medications that might help delay/prevent this condition. Take care!!
What kind of side effects did you have with Prolia?
So many. Mostly shooting pains in my legs. Especially after the first two injections. Hair loss jaw and ear pain. Swelling it seems after two month then quieting on the fifth month. Very gradually. The closer I get to the fourth and fifth month after the injection the better things got. Especially leg pain. Forgot to mention the lower back pain only lasted the first few weeks for me. But most importantly I wish I could spread the word that the last few injections have been better because a kind nurse told me to take an allergy medication like Zertec twice a day for a few days after the injection because she was told it helped. Well of course I tried it and although it did not take away all discomfort it did help! Is it real or imaginary I honestly don’t know. I will definitely continue. Last injection I took two a day for five days. Yet right now I’m on month four and having shooting pain behind my ear. It did this once before and settled down in a week.
Dr. Lucas recommends 3mg boron daily and that’s why everyone got so excited about the prune study because prunes are a superior food source for boron and 6 prunes seem to satisfy that amount of boron more or less. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11401245/
I’m trying to figure all this out myself as I would prefer to get calcium and boron and as many other minerals, vitamins, and nutrients from a healthy diet. It gets confusing when one reads about anti nutrients in certain foods which also contain good vitamins and minerals i.e. spinach, chard, nuts, legumes, and others. I then wonder how many nutrients etc. of what I’m eating are actually be absorbed and available to my bones. I don’t know how one is able to know.
@kjane322 - just asking . Are you taking in 600 mg of Calcium 2x/day?? In taking Kim Millman’s osteoporosis course she says 390 mg of Calcium at a time is where you get the best absorbability.
@kjane322 and further though the FDA is still saying 1200mg of Calcium /day - the National foundation for Osteoporosis is recommending 800mg /day.
I know, but my endocrinologist says 1200 because of osteoporosis. So am I overdoing it? I honestly don’t know.