Vitamins and minerals - Dr. Kushner

[Guest guest]

" As you state....Dr Kusher's article " advises gastric bypass patients

to have a daily

calcium supplementation of between 1200-1500 mg. " He does NOT advise

1200-1500mg

ELEMENTAL calcium. "

Here is exactly what Dr. Kushner says in his article:

" In addition to periodic monitoring, . . . . all patients should receive

calcium supplements of 1200 to 1500 mg/d in divided doses, depending on

the adequacy of dietary calcium. Calcium citrate with vitamin D is the

preferred preparation because it is more soluble than calcium carbonate

in the absence of gastric acid production. "

If one assumes he uses the phrase " calcium supplementation " to mean

calcium, then he is suggesting 1200-1500 mg/d of calcium as a mineral,

or elemental calcium. This would be a calcium intake of 120-150% of the

FDA DV for calcium. If one assumes he uses the the phrase " calcium

supplementation " to mean a calcium supplement compound, then if the

preferred calcium citrate is used, the calcium intake would be 252-348

to 315-435 mg/d or 25% to 43% of the FDA DV for calcium. Assuming that

he is going to recommend supplementation that would be adequate to meet

or exceed the FDA DV for calcium, then his statement must be interpreted

as recommending 1200-1500 mg/d elemental calcium. Why would he

recommend taking an amount of calcium that is insufficient to meet the

known needs of the body?

Ray Hooks

For WLS nutrition info, visit

http://www.bariatricsupplementsystem.com