Can anyone recommend a good calcium supplement?

[jellyben]

I am terrible about getting enough calcium in my diet and I would like to start taking a calcium supplement. I just don't know the difference between os-cal and cal-trate etc. Is there anything I should know when selecting?

Thanks!!

[sharris315]

I use VIACTIV which looks like individually wrapped candies--it comes in flavors such as caramel, chocolate or mocha. I think the caramel is best--the others have sort of an after-taste IMO.

Shar

[lisas3575]

I just started taking Viactiv too. I think the chocolate is pretty good. :) I talked to my doctor about it, and she said that, while their marketing would lead you to believe otherwise, all the calcium supplements are pretty much the same. Just make sure that you get at least 1000Mg per day through food and supplements. FWIW.

[beejayw1]

Viactiv is OK, per my doctor, but if you want to get the best calcium supplement, go with either Caltrate or Citrical (or the store brand wannabes). Per my doctor, the form that the calcium is in with those supplements is better absorbed than it is in Viactiv (which is a pity, because I LO-O-O-Ove chocolate!)

However, some is better than none.

[RebeccaT]

Viactiv, um, stopped me up. :o

I read that Calcium Citrate is much more easily absorbed than Calcium Carbonate, so I look for that. I am currently taking the Walgreen's brand.

HTH!

[badunnin]

Keep in mind, too, that you are looking for a calcium SUPPLEMENT - you are looking supplement the calcium in your diet, not replace it. I use the Viactiv.

[KathrynY]

Another Viactiv user.

[Gail]

My doctor recommends Citrical.

[DocAgocs]

Forget "one-a-day" calcium supplements like Viactiv, no offense. It is a fallacy that your body can absorb the amount of calcium that they contain all at once. Also forget calcium supplements that are made of calcium carbonate. This is the worst form of calcium for your body to be able to absorb. It's cheap, which is why it's so common. Skip "coral calcium", too. It's concrete and fish poo. For your body to do a good job of absorbing calcium it MUST have the following criteria:

1) Be in an acidic environment. This is why Tums, et al should have an injunction against advertsing their products as calcium supplements. You don't absorb a single atom of calcium from Tums or other antacids.
2) There should be a 1:2-1:5 ratio of calcium to magnesium.
3) The calcium should be in an ionized form. The best form of calcium is in green leafy veggies because the plant absorbs inorganic calcium in the soil (calcium carbonate and other non-ionized salts), then converts it to an ionized form. This is the form, suprise surprise, that humans absorb best.

So, a list of acceptable calcium supplements:
1) Anything that is calcium bound to a Kreb's cycle intermediate. In English, that means calcium lactate, calcium glucarate, calcium citrate, calcium aspartate, calcium caprylate, pretty much anything except calcium carbonate).

Specifics:
From Biotics: Ca D-Glucarate, Ca/Mg Plus, Ca/Mg-Zyme, Ca/Mg-Zyme Caps, Caprin, Ca-Zyme.
From Standard Process: Calcium Lactate or Calcium Lactate Powder (these are the best Ca products, in my opinion).
From Metagenics: any of the Cal Apatite line.
From Thorne Research: Calcium Citramate, Calcium Aspartate, Calcium Citrate, Calcium Magnesium Citrate, Calcium Magnesium Citramate, Cal-Mag Citrate.

A good, well-designed calcium supplement will require that you take it probably three times per day rather than all at once. Your body is surprisingly limited in how it handles calcium, and it doesn't absorb even good calcium all that well, so for example with Calcium Lactate from Standard Process you take 2 tablets three times per day. Also, in my experience the dirst cheap, store-bought cal-junk is so hard that your body doesn't even break it down. It's very common for patients to pass supplements completely undigested in the stool. The Viactiv candy is probably yummy, but it's a waste of $$$ and gives a false sense of hope, in my opinion. Good, green leafy veggies first, then a GOOD calcium supplement second.

[sharris315]

I think Calcium Citrate IS more easily absorbed--so I tried, I think, Citrical--whatever comes in the fruit-flavored chewable tablets. Anyway, I just did not like them at all--and conveniently forgot to take them which, of course, did no good. I like the Viactiv, and actually do TAKE it, so figure for me it's the best. :) I also buy calcium fortified products (OJ, etc) whenever I can. By the way, I have read that calcium taken near bedtime promotes more restful sleep--don't know if that's true or not.

Shar

[jellyben]

Yikes, a lot to think about!! I know the best way to get Ca is through diet. I also know that I am terrible when it comes to drinking milk. Now if I could get all my calcium from cheese that would be great(but not for my waistline!)

Thanks all!!

[DocAgocs]

calcium fortified products (OJ, etc) whenever I can. By the way, I have read that calcium taken near bedtime promotes more restful sleep--don't know if that's true or not.

I'll be honest, and I hate to be the harbinger of bad news, but "calcium fortified" foods aren't all that great, either, again because the calcium just isn't good quality. Also, you can potentially go the opposite route and get too much calcium. Calcium and magnesium bind competitively, which means when you absorb more of one you absorb less of the other. I have had a few patients who are completely magnesium depleted. This can trigger all sorts of things, most commonly headaches and migraines, but these minerals NEED to be in balance, which is why your calcium supplement really should have magnesium in it, too.

I have read that calcium taken near bedtime promotes more restful sleep--don't know if that's true or not.

It can. Also helps with some PMS symptoms. A big thing about calcium which no one ever talks about, too, is that it is used as an immune system modulator (my theory for some of the muscle crampy feeling you get when you're sick) and calcium lactate can break a fever when it's been going too long and help your body fight infections.

know the best way to get Ca is through diet. I also know that I am terrible when it comes to drinking milk.

Good, because dairy isn't all that great of a source of calcium when you consider it. The best, most absorbale calcium you can possibly get will come from your green leafy veggies, but without the fat, pesticides (well, maybe some), antibiotics and other junk in dairy. Dark lettuces, greens, broccoli, kale, spinach, etc is the way to go. Doesn't have to be raw, and cooked may even be better for absorbing minerals, which are not heat-sensitive.

[Gail]

Chewable fruit-flavored Citrical??

Mine are tablets to be swallowed.

[sharris315]

Gail--I found the container, and it is Caltrate Plus Chewables--Contain calcium carbonate, not citrate...and IMO are nasty.:(

Shar :)