Best Calcium Supplement?

Posted by SRKONA @trixie5141, Apr 22 7:20am

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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@kjane322 - I’m am just sharing what this intensive osteo course from an Integrative Dr and researcher has shared with us . She actually feels like our overall calcium intake should be about 8O0 mg. So she recommends you figure out what your average daily intake of calcium is by the foods we eat and then supplement to make up the difference. You take it from there. But will say 600 mg at a time is probably not as good as compared to if you cut down the doses used at each time to around 390 or so. Your body only absorbs so much at a time. When it gets beyond this the absorbability decreases…. So the actual gains by taking more at one time is blunted.

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@ans

@kjane322 - I’m am just sharing what this intensive osteo course from an Integrative Dr and researcher has shared with us . She actually feels like our overall calcium intake should be about 8O0 mg. So she recommends you figure out what your average daily intake of calcium is by the foods we eat and then supplement to make up the difference. You take it from there. But will say 600 mg at a time is probably not as good as compared to if you cut down the doses used at each time to around 390 or so. Your body only absorbs so much at a time. When it gets beyond this the absorbability decreases…. So the actual gains by taking more at one time is blunted.

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Interesting…. I’ll ask about that next time I see my doctor. Yet, I’m guessing not all doctors are well informed about this. Thank you for this information. I’ll also look at information online. 😊

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@kjane322

Interesting…. I’ll ask about that next time I see my doctor. Yet, I’m guessing not all doctors are well informed about this. Thank you for this information. I’ll also look at information online. 😊

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Feel free to Google
themillmanclinic to understand who Dr Kim Millman is

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@bunnymoon

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!!

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I was just told I have osteopenia lumbar spine. Previous tests no osteopenia! What are safe supplements for this?

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@mresnick664

I was just told I have osteopenia lumbar spine. Previous tests no osteopenia! What are safe supplements for this?

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Hello,
You’ll find lots/better answers on this blog and on Mayo website but starting with calcium/vit D supplement, weight bearing exercise daily are starting points. Make sure other medicines you’re taking/medical conditions you have are thoughtfully and intelligently considered by your doctor(s). I regret not seeking out an endocrinologist specialized/focused on women’s health and osteoporosis.
Please take great care of yourself!

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Does Mayo have a list of endocrinologists in NJ that specialize in women’s health and osteopenia or osteoporosis?

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@mresnick664

I was just told I have osteopenia lumbar spine. Previous tests no osteopenia! What are safe supplements for this?

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I don’t know what is the best. But 1200 mg calcium for women and I take one that also has D3.

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@sonodeka

Hi everyone. I recently heard an interview about calcium with Margaret Martin and a supplement researcher and founder of Consumer Lab.
He said something that I had wondered about and suspected to be true. Calcium fortified foods act like supplements in our bodies, and shouldn't be considered the same as natural food sources for calcium. It was a fairly interesting interview.
He speaks about this at around 11:45. https://youtu.be/ehxKfZUDvXQ?si=7oSIalB5ymiTKfVK

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I read that also on Consumer Labs site. I've also seen that on another site but I don't recall which one. In any case, it's fairly easy to figure out how much calcium you get from fortified foods (at least for me). If I drink an 8 oz glass of fortified soy or almond milk I know I get the amt of calcium listed. Here is where your measuring cups and a scale are your best friends. When I first began using food sources for calcium. I measured out how much 8 oz would be in a particular glass I use (after that I just eyeball it). If I eat cheese, I'll use a scale to weigh 1 oz of cheese (which typically a serving/per calcium). But I do consider calcium from fortified foods as a supplement and tally that into my total calcium intake for the day.

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Good morning, I would like to switch from calcium carbonate to calcium citrate. I’ve read that citrate is easier to absorb and digest as well. May I ask, what brand and amount of calcium citrate are you taking? How long have you been taking it.? Does it seem to be working for you? I have osteoporosis of the spine. Thanks you for your thoughts.

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@doreenc

I read that also on Consumer Labs site. I've also seen that on another site but I don't recall which one. In any case, it's fairly easy to figure out how much calcium you get from fortified foods (at least for me). If I drink an 8 oz glass of fortified soy or almond milk I know I get the amt of calcium listed. Here is where your measuring cups and a scale are your best friends. When I first began using food sources for calcium. I measured out how much 8 oz would be in a particular glass I use (after that I just eyeball it). If I eat cheese, I'll use a scale to weigh 1 oz of cheese (which typically a serving/per calcium). But I do consider calcium from fortified foods as a supplement and tally that into my total calcium intake for the day.

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I use the same system: same drinking glass for measurement purposes, and the scale, and enter it all on the chronometer app. I'm getting pretty efficient with all that. I'm getting enough calcium without supplements most days. My current supplement, Osteo Sustain, a McCormick product, has a small amount, about 165 mg calcium per tablet, along with other nutrients, designed to be taken 3 times a day. I'm currently trying to figure out how to tease all those apart to get what I need without the added calcium. It is definitely simpler just to take the one.

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