Tums for Calcium

[Guest guest]

Some doctors still recommend Tums antacids instead of calcium

supplements. The heavy TV advertising makes customers ask doctors about

Tums and it's easy

for the doctor to agree with the ads and eager customers.

HOWEVER, there are several reasons why antacids are NOT a good source of

calcium:

1. Calcium is best absorbed in an acid medium, and antacids, by their

very

nature and purpose, create an alkaline environment in the stomach. Thus

antacids alter the efficiency of calcium absorption, and other minerals

as

well. Furthermore, overdosing on calcium antacid tablets has been

known to

cause milk-alkali syndrome, a condition that may precipitate kidney

stones

and impair kidney function.

2. Tums do not contain trace minerals which are vitally needed for the

calcium to do it's job in building strong bones. We cannot depend on

our

foods to supply these trace minerals anymore because many soils are

depleted.

3. In addition to calcium, antacids may also contain: Sodium,

aluminum,

preservatives, mineral oil (coats digestive tract and impairs absorption

of

nutrients like Vitamin D), Talc, flavoring, sucrose, corn starch & corn

sugar, FD & C Red #3.

4. The calcium carbonate is only 40% calcium, the other 60% is the

carbonate carrier.

5. The aluminum of antacids is absorbed from the intestine. Aluminum

compounds have received a great deal of publicity in recent years due to

the

association of aluminum in the brain and Alzheimer's disease.

Maureen