topic Re: Calcium supplement recommendations? in Wellness

Calcium supplement recommendations?

HappyDaze — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 04:41:53 GMT

I am thinking one that contains calcium citrate would be best. I used to take one a long time ago but stopped so haven't been up to date lately with calcium information. I really think I should be taking one again, especially since I don't eat or drink alot of dairy products and I pretty much know I am not getting enough in my diet, especially because of how much I exercise.

Any good recs?

Re: Calcium supplement recommendations?

Kachina624 — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 05:18:16 GMT

I've heard calcium citrate is the most readily absorbed. I get Walmart's version of Citrical. There is a lot of conflicting information on calcium, some of it saying supplements are not necessary. My doctor had me cut mine back to half the dose I was taking.

Re: Calcium supplement recommendations?

HappyDaze — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 05:40:36 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
I've heard calcium citrate is the most readily absorbed. I get Walmart's version of Citrical. There is a lot of conflicting information on calcium, some of it saying supplements are not necessary. My doctor had me cut mine back to half the dose I was taking.

@Kachina624 thanks! I would think calcium supplementation wouldn't be necessary if you take in enough through your regular diet (milk, dark greens, cheese, yogurt, etc). I think maybe I will try to journal my food to see how much I am getting in my diet. I do eat alot of almonds and quite a bit of dark greens.

Re: Calcium supplement recommendations?

bebe777 — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 11:42:53 GMT

@HappyDaze wrote:
@Kachina624 wrote:
I've heard calcium citrate is the most readily absorbed. I get Walmart's version of Citrical. There is a lot of conflicting information on calcium, some of it saying supplements are not necessary. My doctor had me cut mine back to half the dose I was taking.
@Kachina624 thanks! I would think calcium supplementation wouldn't be necessary if you take in enough through your regular diet (milk, dark greens, cheese, yogurt, etc). I think maybe I will try to journal my food to see how much I am getting in my diet. I do eat alot of almonds and quite a bit of dark greens.

HI @HappyDaze, I take Andrew Lessman's Calcium-Magnesium supplements mainly because I know that the quality of Andrew's ingredients are always the best.

I think I've also heard that calcium citrate is the most easily absorbed. Andrew uses four different types of calcium in his supplements though he's never explained exactly why he chooses to do this. Since I know how much Andrew chooses to focus on ingredients which are the most bioavailable, I choose to go with Andrew's brand.

One of the things I really respect about Andrew is that he doesn't want folks to take more of his supplements than is necessary or responsible.

I've gotten a world of an education about how to take calcium with Andrew. -- Some basic rules:

1) Andrew suggests that you may just want to supplement with around 500mg of calcium daily and get the rest from food. -- Since I don't eat much processed food, I supplement with around 900 mg of calcium daily and I get the rest from food hopefully. *s*

Of course that depends what your foods are. -- I think he says this because so may processed foods have hidden (and, from my perspective, unwanted) calcium in them. On top of this you never know how bioavailable this cheap supplemented calcium is. I steer clear of all foods with added calcium.

Leafy greens do have calcium in them, but the calcium isn't that bioavailable (unless you Vitamix it probably).

I've never been able to get a good handle on how much calcium is in unfortified cheese. -- Fortified cheese, milk, yogurt and cottage cheese can have a boat load of calcium in it.

2) Unless you take Vitamin D with your calcium, your body will only absorb about 10% of the calcium you take in. -- Vitamin D is fat soluble, so you also need to include a small amount of fat with that meal.

3) Taking Vitamin K2/MK7 with your calcium helps to make sure the calcium goes to your bones and not set up shop in your veins and arteries (Andrew has a great Vitamin K2/MK7 supplement)

5) Don't take more tha a total of 500mg of calcium (supplement plus food) in a particular meal. -- Taking more than 500 mg means that your body will actually absorb less than 500 mg of calcium. Calcium is a covalent ion and if you take too much of a covalent ion at one time it fights itself for absorption (iron is also a covalent ion).

Andrew is at HSB this weekend and next weekend, so all of his products have free S&H during this period.

Also, his Essential-1 w/ 1500 IU Vitamin D multi-vitamin is today's TSV. -- I'm passing on this TSV because, even at full price, his Essential 1 with 3000 IU Vitamin D is a better value for my parents. -- If you are not overweight, Andrew says your that your daily Vitamin D dosage should be between 2000 IU and 4000 IU.

HD, feel free to give me a call if you want more info... lol, or just to chat.

-- bebe

Re: Calcium supplement recommendations?

bebe777 — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 17:43:41 GMT

@HappyDaze wrote:
@Kachina624 wrote:
I've heard calcium citrate is the most readily absorbed. I get Walmart's version of Citrical. There is a lot of conflicting information on calcium, some of it saying supplements are not necessary. My doctor had me cut mine back to half the dose I was taking.
@Kachina624 thanks! I would think calcium supplementation wouldn't be necessary if you take in enough through your regular diet (milk, dark greens, cheese, yogurt, etc). I think maybe I will try to journal my food to see how much I am getting in my diet. I do eat alot of almonds and quite a bit of dark greens.

HI @HappyDaze, I take Andrew Lessman's Calcium-Magnesium supplements mainly because I know that the quality of Andrew's ingredients are always the best.

One of the things I really respect about Andrew is that he doesn't want folks to take more of his supplements than is necessary or responsible.

I've gotten a world of an education about how to take calcium with Andrew. -- Some basic rules:

Leafy greens do have calcium in them, but the calcium isn't that bioavailable (unless you Vitamix it probably).

I've never been able to get a good handle on how much calcium is in unfortified cheese. -- Fortified cheese, milk, yogurt and cottage cheese can have a boat load of calcium in it.

3) Taking Vitamin K2/MK7 with your calcium helps to make sure the calcium goes to your bones and not set up shop in your veins and arteries (Andrew has a great Vitamin K2/MK7 supplement)

Andrew is at HSN this weekend and next weekend, so all of his products have free S&H during this period.

Also, his Essential-1 w/ 1500 IU Vitamin D multi-vitamin is today's TSV. -- I'm passing on this TSV because, even at full price, his Essential 1 with 3000 IU Vitamin D is better for my parents.... And that means that my mom doesn't have to take a separate Vitamin D capsule. But this TS is a very good value. -- If you are not overweight, Andrew says your that your daily Vitamin D dosage should be between 2000 IU and 4000 IU.

HD, feel free to give me a call if you want more info... lol, or just to chat.

-- bebe

Re: Calcium supplement recommendations?

sidsmom — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 14:19:32 GMT

@bebe777 wrote:

Leafy greens do have calcium in them, but the calcium isn't that bioavailable (unless you Vitamix it probably).

@bebe777

Huh?

A bunch of kale isn't bioavailable but manufacturered vitamins are?

How Vitamins are made:

- Preliminary check (obtaining raw materials)

- Preblending (processing)

- Wet granulation (mixed with cellulose)

- Weighing & mixing (samples taken from mixer)

- Encapsulating machine (tamper pins pushing powder down)

- Polishing & inspection

- Tableting (4-10 tons of pressure is exerted on the vitamin powder)

- Coating (depending on product, tablets could have several coatings)
- Packaging (sealed, capped, labelled, and shrink-wrapped)

Re: Calcium supplement recommendations?

Shelbelle — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 14:26:08 GMT

I take 1200 mg daily of calcium carbonate mixed in with Vit D3, K1, K2 and Magnesium, this is a winning combination taken in 2 intervals daily.

Re: Calcium supplement recommendations?

Jacie — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 14:32:33 GMT

I switched to gummies and they are far easier for me to take, those big bad tablets were awful!

Re: Calcium supplement recommendations?

NYwoman — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 14:49:54 GMT

Yes, calcium citrate is more easily absorbed by the body. And taking calcium with vitamin D3 and magnesium is optimum for absorption. But I would watch out taking any vitamin K without talking to your doctor and/or knowing all interactions with all meds you are on. Vitamin K is a clotting agent that cannot be taken with certain meds or certain conditions. Be caucious with that.

I started getting kidney stones and cannot take either calcium mentioned above. I take calcium hydroxyapatite. No more kidney stones! A bit hard to find. I get mine through NOW products through LuckyviVitamin.com

Re: Calcium supplement recommendations?

Shelbelle — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 17:49:51 GMT

The Vit K is necessary to keep the calcium directed away from your heart, very important. If it may interact with other meds you are taking, by all means consult your doctor first.

Re: Calcium supplement recommendations?

cotton4me — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 19:08:27 GMT

I take Bone-Up by Jarrow.

Re: Calcium supplement recommendations?

bebe777 — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 23:55:52 GMT

@sidsmom wrote:
@bebe777 wrote:

Leafy greens do have calcium in them, but the calcium isn't that bioavailable (unless you Vitamix it probably).

@bebe777

Huh?
A bunch of kale isn't bioavailable but manufacturered vitamins are?

How Vitamins are made:

- Preliminary check (obtaining raw materials)
- Preblending (processing)
- Wet granulation (mixed with cellulose)
- Weighing & mixing (samples taken from mixer)
- Encapsulating machine (tamper pins pushing powder down)
- Polishing & inspection
- Tableting (4-10 tons of pressure is exerted on the vitamin powder)
- Coating (depending on product, tablets could have several coatings)
- Packaging (sealed, capped, labelled, and shrink-wrapped)

or

___

@sidsmom, I said:

Leafy greens do have calcium in them, but the calcium isn't that bioavailable (unless you Vitamix it probably).

and you asked:

Huh?

A bunch of kale isn't bioavailable but manufacturered vitamins are?

@sidsmom, I specifically said that kale isn't THAT bioavailable unless you Vitamix it. And I stand by what I said. The only thing I'd add is that kale is more bioavailable when you cook it (although that will destroy the fragile Vitamin C content).

It is very hard to extract full nutrition from raw leafy green vegetables because their cellulose content/quality makes it extremely difficult to break down their tough cells walls in order to get to the nutritional content within each kale cell. -- A Vitamix will break through the cell walls and allow access to the nutritional content. So will cooking kale, but most people seem to prefer to eat their leafy greens raw.

___

@sidsmom, you also wrote:

How Vitamins are made:

- Preliminary check (obtaining raw materials)

- Preblending (processing)

- Wet granulation (mixed with cellulose)

- Weighing & mixing (samples taken from mixer)

- Encapsulating machine (tamper pins pushing powder down)

- Polishing & inspection

- Tableting (4-10 tons of pressure is exerted on the vitamin powder)

- Coating (depending on product, tablets could have several coatings)
- Packaging (sealed, capped, labelled, and shrink-wrapped)

You might want to qualify that broad statement with "some Vitamins", because Procaps Labs vitamins are manufactured with great respect for their raw ingredients.

You might want to watch Andrew's show on HSN tonight 8-10pm ET because Andrew details how his supplements are different from many supplements on the market.

In fact, for the two previous shows, Andrew has a chart that shows the binders, fillers, etc. which are in a lot of supplements but not his supplements. -- Andrew is the sole owner of Procaps Labs and makes all the final decisions on his products.

Procaps actually assays each new shipment that arrives in their on site lab before each shipment is accepted.

I don't know what you mean by "Wet granulation (mixed with cellulose)" so, I can't addres that.

Since Andrew only makes powder capsules, I don't think that these three processes apply:

- Polishing & inspection

- Tableting (4-10 tons of pressure is exerted on the vitamin powder)

- Coating (depending on product, tablets could have several coatings)

___

On a personal note, I happen to have a great respect for vegetables and fruit because I've been on a paleo diet for around the past 10 years (before the "paleo diet" even existed). -- Here's the basics of my daily routine:

32oz green smoothie every day (green as in veggies, and not sugared up fruits)

* breakfast -- 3 scrambled eggs from organic, free range, grass/bug fed chickens

* lunch -- huge rainbow salad and whey protein drink

* supper -- 4oz hamburger (from organic, grass fed cows) and a huge rainbow salad

extras: nuts & seeds, plus a little fruit, vegetable soups

I choose to add supplements to my health routine. No matter where you buy your veggies, the soil has been depleted and veggies are less nutrient dense than they were 25-50 years ago.

No matter what you do, it's difficult to get a very balanced diet every day. I feel that taking Procaps Labs supplements helps keep me at an optimal level of health. -- When I don't take my supplements, my body feels the difference. I pretty much know what every single supplement I take does to help my body.

-- bebe

Re: Calcium supplement recommendations?

NYwoman — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 23:58:36 GMT

I just looked up Bone Up by Jarrow (another brand I trust/buy). Thanks. It looks good and since vitamin K is OK for me, I will seriously look into it. I like the vitamin/mineral combo in it. I am allergic to large doses of vitamin C but this seems OK.

Re: Calcium supplement recommendations?

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 00:09:15 GMT

I have always gone for alternating calcium supplements and have about four different types on hand (including chewables) at any given time.

My recent bone density test was excellent, so I'll keep doing that.

As for foods ........ My favorite cottage cheese with pineapple is a frequent side dish. It says calcium fortified on the container ... and I just checked it. A serving has 40% of a days supply of calcium!

Re: Calcium supplement recommendations?

Big Sister — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 02:05:34 GMT

@HappyDaze wrote:
I am thinking one that contains calcium citrate would be best. I used to take one a long time ago but stopped so haven't been up to date lately with calcium information. I really think I should be taking one again, especially since I don't eat or drink alot of dairy products and I pretty much know I am not getting enough in my diet, especially because of how much I exercise.

Any good recs?

I use Citracal Petites. Other brand tablets are just too big for me to swallow, but the Petites are not a problem. You can find them at your local drug store or order from Amazon, which I do now.

Re: Calcium supplement recommendations?

MomCat — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 02:17:18 GMT

@Jacie wrote:
I switched to gummies and they are far easier for me to take, those big bad tablets were awful!

I took those gummies too a few years ago, but when I finally noticed the sugar count I stopped. Before that I had been on the chocolate chews. I should have learned the sugar thing on that one. There are plenty in capsule form now. I don't like the big tablets either.

Re: Calcium supplement recommendations?

jlkz — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 14:57:11 GMT

I have had very good dexa scan results and take a Timed Release calcium tablet at bedtime. To take more than one of any type calcium item is wasteful: what the body doesn't use, get excreted.

I don't like the large tablet but with the results I will keep on: my mom had 3 hip replacements and one sister has had both knees and a shoulder replaced. I'm 71, so far so good.