Re: need opinions on calcium supplements

[Guest guest]

PW,

How awsome to be just 1/2 the woman you use to be, but now a

stronger woman with nothing but good headed your way...

WAY TO GO GIRL!!!!!

God bless,and good luck on losing a few more #'s

Pat

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~```(o:

>

> Ginger <>< (aka PW)

> lap ds 7-15-03

> down 160 pounds (woo hoo - half of starting weight)

> 84.2% EWL

> 5' 3 "

> sw/cw/goal~(healthy–praying to lose a few more pounds)

> 320/160/???

> BMI: Pre-op/current

> 56.7/28.3

[Guest guest]

I love the chocolate viactiv calcium chews!

: C.

>

> Hi everyone,

> There has been a conversation going on in the main DS list about

> calcium supplements.....Things I have never heard before.

>

> My understanding has always been 2000 mg of calcium citrate in any

> reliable brand would work just fine. My labs have been fine with

> this. But I did not have Dr K do my surgery either and I am

wondering

> what you all take for your calcium and how much you take and how

your

> labs are with what you take, along with how far out from surgery

you

> are.

>

> Is that enough questions ? Sorry for all the questions but looking

to

> see what others do. I have labs due in January and will know what

my

> newer levels are at that time, but in the meantime I am wondering

> what y'all are taking and how the results are for you. I realize

that

> is why we have our labs done, to monitor all these things. I am

> getting ready to try out a new PCP too and would like not to be

> confused when I see him on Friday. Praying he is good and

> understanding.

>

> Ginger <>< (aka PW)

> lap ds 7-15-03

> down 160 pounds (woo hoo - half of starting weight)

> 84.2% EWL

> 5' 3 "

> sw/cw/goal~(healthy–praying to lose a few more pounds)

> 320/160/???

> BMI: Pre-op/current

> 56.7/28.3

[Guest guest]

> My understanding has always been 2000 mg of calcium citrate in any

> reliable brand would work just fine. My labs have been fine with

> this.

Well, I take several forms of calcium so I wont' be bored. Some

Viactiv, some CaCarbonate, but not taking citrate right now due to

the large pill size. I keep choking on it and am scared it will

kill me.

I also eat high calcium foods.

What I do NOT do is go outside without sunblock and that has been my

downfall. I had to go on calcitriol for that reason. Ironic since

I live in sunny california.

Marta

[Guest guest]

Ginger

I take Vita4Life. I have taken it since approx. 4 months post-op.

I am 3yrs 9 months post-op.

The reasons I choose to take Vita4life.

It had 2000 mg of Elemental Calcium Citrate. I felt Citrate was

better than the carbonate. The RNYers had already found that due to

low stomach acid they didn't absorb Calcium carbonate very well at

all. Even though we do have stomach acids we have a reduced

amount. Plus the Citrate just seemed to have fewer rules about

absorption. Like it didn't matter if you took the Citrate with or

without food. And Citrate isn't as bad about interfering with the

absorption of Iron.

Vita4life also contains 2400 IU of Vit. D (600% of Daily recommended

value), Magnesium and Potassium all of which aide in the absorbtion

of calcium.

Vita4life contained enough vitamin A to keep me from breaking out in

those sandpaper bumps that can cover the upper chest, arms, forehead.

Vita4life contained 260 mg. of Iron. I no longer have periods but

still wanted to take iron. I've seen too many post-op eventually

become low in iron (including men).

And the number one reason: It was a no brainer...I just had to get

12 of those pills swallowed each day. So I take 4 capsules 3X a

day. (It would be better to take 3 capsules 4X a day but that starts

to get tooo complicated for me to do Consistantly)

For calcium I also believe it is wise to " mix it up " . Get your

calcium from more than one source. I also drink milk, eat cheese by

the truckload and for fun occasionally eat a tums or a viactive

(trader Joes) chew. Something is bound to work!

So far my labs have been good except for a slight vitamin K problem

last year after 6 months of being on antibiotics (which interfere

with the absorption of vit. K) That was quickly resolved by taking

ADEKs. Which I did for about a year real regular, now I sort of hit

and miss taking the ADEKs. I don't have the signs of lack of Vit. K

so I've got lazy about taking the additional Adeks.

Even though this is what I take, and it has worked great for

me....It is pricey, and I don't believe it is the ONLY way to go.

You said your labs were good. So at this point I see no reason to

change what your doing. It is working for YOU!! YEAH!!!

Hugs

Jo

[Guest guest]

Thanks Marta and Jo,

I appreciate both of your's input ! Jo, your last two lines said

enough for me to feel better about my choices. I have avoided some

supplements due to the cost of them, and tried to stick to ones that

give the recommended amounts of nutrients etc. Yes at a yr my labs

were good. Will see what they are at 18 months and see if anything

needs adjusting.

Ginger <><

> You said your labs were good. So at this point I see no reason to

> change what your doing. It is working for YOU!! YEAH!!!

>

>

> Hugs

> Jo