Re: Calcium Carbonate vs. Calcium Citrate

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 99-11-11 12:47:27 EST, you write:

<< Bottom Line: Calcium citrate is a particularly good choice for

postmenopausal women, the elderly and anyone who regularly takes antacids or

acid blockers. To get some additional calcium without taking yet another

tablet, try washing the supplement down with calcium-fortified orange juice.

>>

oops...no orange juice for us diabetics! Vicki A.

[Guest guest]

(from

http://www.phys.com/b_nutrition/01self_analysis/02calcium/ca_suppl.htm )

Calcium Carbonate

Description: The most common (and inexpensive) form of calcium, calcium

carbonite can be derived from natural sources (such as dolomite, bone meal

or oyster shells), or synthetically produced.

Advantages: It's cheap, convenient (you can often get 500 milligrams from

just one tablet), and highly absorbable: Forty percent of the calcium in

calcium carbonate can be absorbed by the body.

Disadvantages: Calcium carbonate is best absorbed in the presence of gastric

acid, so people on antacids (or with naturally low stomach acid, such as the

elderly) don't absorb it well. It can also cause gas and constipation. If

derived from dolomite, bone meal or oyster shells, calcium carbonate is

somewhat more likely to be contaminated with lead.

Bottom line: This is the supplement of choice for most young and middle-aged

people, as long as they aren't taking gastric acid blockers (like Pepcid,

Tagamet, or similar medications) on a regular basis. Don't be fooled by

fancy label claims - calcium is calcium no matter where it comes from. Just

steer clear of oyster shell, bone meal and dolomite, and buy what's least

expensive.

Calcium Citrate

Description: Considered by some to be the most bioavailable form of

calcium, calcium citrate is the second most common form found in

supplements. It's also the form most commonly added to calcium-fortified

juices.

Advantages: Citrate is well absorbed even when gastric acid is low, so it

can be taken on an empty stomach. It's also less likely to cause gas than

carbonate.

Disadvantages: With only 21 percent elemental calcium, you need to take

almost twice as many calcium citrate tablets to reach the level provided by

one calcium carbonate tablet. It can also be quite a bit more expensive than

calcium carbonate formulations.

Bottom Line: Calcium citrate is a particularly good choice for

postmenopausal women, the elderly and anyone who regularly takes antacids or

acid blockers. To get some additional calcium without taking yet another

tablet, try washing the supplement down with calcium-fortified orange juice.

[Guest guest]

Susie, you're a peach! My *Save As* button is working overtime :-)

Thanks,

Barb

--------------

RAINBOW FARM UNLTD.

Breeding Premium Warmbloods,

Thoroughbreds, and fancy Welsh ponies.

http://www.rainbowfarm.com

Re: Calcium Carbonate vs. Calcium Citrate

>

>

>(from

>http://www.phys.com/b_nutrition/01self_analysis/02calcium/ca_suppl.htm )

>

>Calcium Carbonate

>

> Description: The most common (and inexpensive) form of calcium, calcium

>carbonite can be derived from natural sources (such as dolomite, bone meal

>or oyster shells), or synthetically produced.

>Advantages: It's cheap, convenient (you can often get 500 milligrams from

>just one tablet), and highly absorbable: Forty percent of the calcium in

>calcium carbonate can be absorbed by the body.

>

>Disadvantages: Calcium carbonate is best absorbed in the presence of

gastric

>acid, so people on antacids (or with naturally low stomach acid, such as

the

>elderly) don't absorb it well. It can also cause gas and constipation. If

>derived from dolomite, bone meal or oyster shells, calcium carbonate is

>somewhat more likely to be contaminated with lead.

>

>Bottom line: This is the supplement of choice for most young and

middle-aged

>people, as long as they aren't taking gastric acid blockers (like Pepcid,

>Tagamet, or similar medications) on a regular basis. Don't be fooled by

>fancy label claims - calcium is calcium no matter where it comes from. Just

>steer clear of oyster shell, bone meal and dolomite, and buy what's least

>expensive.

>

> Calcium Citrate

>

> Description: Considered by some to be the most bioavailable form of

>calcium, calcium citrate is the second most common form found in

>supplements. It's also the form most commonly added to calcium-fortified

>juices.

>Advantages: Citrate is well absorbed even when gastric acid is low, so it

>can be taken on an empty stomach. It's also less likely to cause gas than

>carbonate.

>

>Disadvantages: With only 21 percent elemental calcium, you need to take

>almost twice as many calcium citrate tablets to reach the level provided by

>one calcium carbonate tablet. It can also be quite a bit more expensive

than

>calcium carbonate formulations.

>

>Bottom Line: Calcium citrate is a particularly good choice for

>postmenopausal women, the elderly and anyone who regularly takes antacids

or

>acid blockers. To get some additional calcium without taking yet another

>tablet, try washing the supplement down with calcium-fortified orange

juice.

>

>