February 21, 201313 yr Any idea if we can switch from calcium citrate to calcium carbonate after 6 months? Carbonate is a heck of a lot cheaper, especially from Costco. Maybe our bodies do not require the citrate any longer? Your thoughts?
February 21, 201313 yr My thoughts are.... No!! Hehehe... It think we need to stick to the citrate because of absorption issues that you would still have a year out and beyond But don't worry I'm sure someone will come along soon and disagree with me
February 21, 201313 yr Nothing?? Nada?? Well then... Calciium in supplements are in the form of calcium carbonate or calcium citrate. Calcium carbonate is inexpensive and more commonly available. Both forms are well absorbed HOWEVER patients with decreased stomach acid (i.e. after gastric sleeve surgery) will absorb calcium citrate more easily. These supplements contain different amounts of ELEMENTAL CALCIUM, which is the actual amount of calcium in the supplement. Calcium carbonate in supplements is only 40% ELEMENTAL CALCIUM. For example if a supplement contains 500 mg of calcium carbonate, only 200 mg is elemental. The other 300 mg is the carbonate ingredient. Calcium citrate is 21% ELEMENTAL CALCIUM but it is better absorbed than calcium carbonate and does not require acid for absorption.
February 21, 201313 yr Author Nothing?? Nada?? Well then... Calciium in supplements are in the form of calcium carbonate or calcium citrate. Calcium carbonate is inexpensive and more commonly available. Both forms are well absorbed HOWEVER patients with decreased stomach acid (i.e. after gastric sleeve surgery) will absorb calcium citrate more easily. These supplements contain different amounts of ELEMENTAL CALCIUM' date=' which is the actual amount of calcium in the supplement. Calcium carbonate in supplements is only 40% ELEMENTAL CALCIUM. For example if a supplement contains 500 mg of calcium carbonate, only 200 mg is elemental. The other 300 mg is the carbonate ingredient. Calcium citrate is 21% ELEMENTAL CALCIUM but it is better absorbed than calcium carbonate and does not require acid for absorption.[/quote'] I have been schooled!
February 21, 201313 yr Nothing?? Nada?? Well then... Calciium in supplements are in the form of calcium carbonate or calcium citrate. Calcium carbonate is inexpensive and more commonly available. Both forms are well absorbed HOWEVER patients with decreased stomach acid (i.e. after gastric sleeve surgery) will absorb calcium citrate more easily. These supplements contain different amounts of ELEMENTAL CALCIUM, which is the actual amount of calcium in the supplement. Calcium carbonate in supplements is only 40% ELEMENTAL CALCIUM. For example if a supplement contains 500 mg of calcium carbonate, only 200 mg is elemental. The other 300 mg is the carbonate ingredient. Calcium citrate is 21% ELEMENTAL CALCIUM but it is better absorbed than calcium carbonate and does not require acid for absorption. nerd...
February 21, 201313 yr From what I understand, as long as you are on a ppi then you need calcium citrate.
February 21, 201313 yr Nothing?? Nada?? Well then... Calciium in supplements are in the form of calcium carbonate or calcium citrate. Calcium carbonate is inexpensive and more commonly available. Both forms are well absorbed HOWEVER patients with decreased stomach acid (i.e. after gastric sleeve surgery) will absorb calcium citrate more easily. These supplements contain different amounts of ELEMENTAL CALCIUM, which is the actual amount of calcium in the supplement. Calcium carbonate in supplements is only 40% ELEMENTAL CALCIUM. For example if a supplement contains 500 mg of calcium carbonate, only 200 mg is elemental. The other 300 mg is the carbonate ingredient. Calcium citrate is 21% ELEMENTAL CALCIUM but it is better absorbed than calcium carbonate and does not require acid for absorption. That made my head hurt....but I think I learned something.
February 22, 201313 yr You should be fine with either one! This is another one of those things that is more important for bypass patients to be careful of.
February 22, 201313 yr You should be fine with either one! This is another one of those things that is more important for bypass patients to be careful of. Did this info come from your doctor? Mine disagrees so it will be citrate for me forever.
February 22, 201313 yr Author Well, it would appear we have another gray area. I will stick with citrates, but man my wallet gets lighter after every order.
February 22, 201313 yr Did this info come from your doctor? Mine disagrees so it will be citrate for me forever. Yup! It sure did!
February 22, 201313 yr Well' date=' it would appear we have another gray area. I will stick with citrates, but man my wallet gets lighter after every order.[/quote'] Have you seen the Upcal packets on Amazon?
February 22, 201313 yr Author Have you seen the Upcal packets on Amazon? No, I have not heard of that. I will check out the product on Amazon. Do they taste good? The one thing that my BA Calcium citrates have going for them is that they have a great taste and I like chewing on them. Each bag is $18 though and I am buying a new one every 10 days.
February 22, 201313 yr No' date=' I have not heard of that. I will check out the product on Amazon. Do they taste good? The one thing that my BA calcium citrates have going for them is that they have a great taste and I like chewing on them. Each bag is 18 though and I am buying a new one every 10 days.[/quote'] I haven't tried them but want to. Some reviews say they are fabulous and some say that there are horrid.
February 27, 201313 yr I get my calcium citrate chews on auto ship from bariatric advantage. I eat 4 of them a day and it costs me 20.00 a month. I love them though. They taste like tootsie rolls and are a real treat. It's well worth the money to me.
Any idea if we can switch from calcium citrate to calcium carbonate after 6 months? Carbonate is a heck of a lot cheaper, especially from Costco. Maybe our bodies do not require the citrate any longer? Your thoughts?