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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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It is an old teaching - learned it in my journey 40 years ago - my doctor plus Dr. Lendon Smith (favored Pediatrician ) were my first sources.
I will keep the need for research to share in mind. Read about it again recently, so it is still active.
Not a fan of fortifying foods with synthetic vitamins - milk, cereals.
I am extremely lactose intolerant but drink (and love) Lactaid brand milk. I think it is better to get calcium from whole foods if you can; my specialist things so too. I also take half a Lactaid tablet with it for 'insurance.'
I'm sorry. I'm having trouble locating that article. Until I do, here is a link suggesting something similar. "One study found people who had high calcium intake had less — not more — calcification in their coronary arteries. But that was mostly true for people who got calcium from their meals rather than pills"
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/too-much-calcium-supplements
If I were to stop taking the daily dose of calcium (1200 mg with vit d3) and would only get calcium from food, how would I know if I am getting between 1600-2000 mg daily?
Do a Google search for foods containing calcium. The article should provide the amount of calcium. For ex. milk contains about 300 mg per serving. I drink at least two glasses a day to provide 600 mg plus the vitamin D needed for the absorption of calcium. You can also get Vitamin D from sunshine. I take a multi-vitamin, so I take that into account. Packaged foods such as yogurt will have that information on the label.
what about Stronium Citrate?
Do you take boron supplements or just eat a diet high in boron?
If you eat certain foods regularly, you can google their calcium value and have a good idea as to whether you've met your requirement. 1600-2000 is pretty high and likely unnecessary. Recommendation in the states is for 1200 mg post-menopausal but the World Health Organization recommends 800 mg. If you're getting 1200 mg daily, that's plenty. I use the website cronometer.com to calculate my daily nutrition. Been using it for years so I now have a good idea as to what I should consume each day, not just in calcium but in other nutrients as well. I still check it most days as insurance that I've met all of my nutritional needs and if not, that's when I'll supplement accordingly. Highly recommend it.
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3 ReactionsVery interesting video but now I’m more confused than ever. I’ve been taking calcium citrate 500mg when I don’t get enough in my diet. I have osteopenia, am on life long steroids and now starting letrozole - all of which contribute to bone loss. None of my doctors have more than a passing opinion (take some calcium). It’s hard to get good advice on this topic.
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1 ReactionI had to Google boron as I'd never heard of it, so the answer is no to both. I would not add any supplements unless on the advice of my oncologist. The supplements I take now are actually one of the topics I plan to discuss with her in a few weeks. My 15 second search showed boron in beans, and I do like beans so I don't plan on worrying about boron.