osteoporosis, calcium supplements and calcium paradox

Hi @melia7, both my husband abd I have osteoporosis and are taking alendronate. Our doctors advised calcium supplements. I've also read about the problems with calcification resulting from them. It's all so confusing , isn't it? Dr. Loren Fishman (Columbia University School of Medicine) doesn't think anyone over 75 should take more than 500 mg of calcium a day. I've increased the calcium we eat from dietary sources and take that into consideration with the supplements we take. We also take Vitamin D, Boron, Vitamin K, and I just started a collagen supplement as well. Also trying to keep up the dark leafy greens. and exercise.

Dr. Fishman has an ongoing study of yoga poses that increase bone density, Twelve Poses vs Osteoporosis, which you can google, if interested. Take care.

What’s everyone’s opinion about using plant milk with added calcium carbonate. I’ve heard it is hard to digest. Do you count it toward your total calcium for the day?

Are you taking any Vitamin K2? It is supposed to keep the calcium out of your arteries.

Having fortified plant milk is the same as taking a supplement so yes, you would count it towards your daily calcium intake. Calcium carbonate is more difficult to digest and needs to be taken with food. The plant milk itself may aid in absorption somewhat but best to eat something along with it.

I’ve learned the body can only absorb limited quantities of calcium. I try to eat calcium rich foods plus a calcium supplement with each meal. I’m 71 and I’m in the range where at least 1200mg is recommended daily. The calcium I take is Algaecal, made from algae - which my doctor believes is better than calcium citrate or calcium carbonate since it’s made from a food source.
It seems to be difficult to get consistent info from the medical community.
Wishing you the best!

Hello all,
I've read and heard on youtube several sources who say Vit K2, mk7 is what helps move calcium into bones and away from soft tissue, so that's what I'm taking.
I've also read in several places that some foods are considered "antinutrients" because they interfere with calcium absorption, like spinach, nuts, seeds and whole grains, so I avoid taking those anywhere near the time I'm taking my calcium supplement or calcium rich foods. But my endocrinologist said I was taking it a little too far. It's a little annoying, but I figure it can't hurt.
Good luck to us all in treating our osteoporosis and managing our diet!

I shall try it, thanks for your comment. It may indeed help. It is really puzzling that calcium that we take in order to place it in bones, goes instead to vessels, and probably contributes to worsen our health.

Hello @tsc, thanks for your answer. There are few medical studies that address the issue of vessel calcification due to calcium supplements in osteoporosis. We are walking in the darkness.
May be Dr. Fishman is right about the dose, but I have also read that the intestine cannot absorb more than 500mg of calcium. May be it is true that the excess is eliminated by our kidneys. However, I would like to make decisions based on some scientific results.

I am on Evinity and taking Caltrate . Which Dr recommended . It has magnesium and Vit . D . Do I need to take Vitamin K 2 ? I have heard it can keep the calcium out of my arteries. But my endocrinologist never mentioned it. So not sure what to do. Anyone have a specialist recommend it ? Thanks

Here is a study from 2017 about research concerning Vitamins K1 and K2 from Pubmed:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5494092/
It lists interactions with Coumadin and Warfarin plus a few other meds.