Vit D and mag w/calcium

September 24, 2002

At the risk of starting another " war " (and I hope that doesn't happen):

If I am taking calcium citrate with 200 iu Vit D and 250 mg magnesiium in

each 500 mg capsule of calcium citrate

And the " pure " or elemental calcium in the calcium citrate is approx 25% of

the 500 mg

And therefore I should take 4 times as many capsules as previously thought

(i.e. one cap of 500mg cal citrate = only 125mg elemental calcium, so I'd

need 8 caps to get 1000mg of elemental or pure calcium)

That means I am also taking 4 times as much Vit D and magnesium, right?

So I am getting 1600iu of Vit D, and 2000mg of magnesium in those 8 capsules,

which is 4 times the RDA (DV?) of D and 5 times the RDA of magnesium. Add to

that another 800iu Vit D and another 200mg of magnesium from my 2 Centrums

daily and I am getting 6 times the RDA of D and 5.5 times the RDA of

magnesium. (If RDA/ RDI is the same thing as DV, then I'm probably getting

even MORE than that bcuz it seems the DV's, when the label says anything

about them at all, are all based on a 2000-calorie a day diet, which I'm

pretty sure is more than I eat).

Which seems like way too much, to me. No idea what happens to the magnesium,

but I do know excess Vit D is stored by the body and CAN build up to toxic

levels (over how long and how much it takes to become toxic I don't know, but

it worries me, nonetheless).

So what do I do if I'm going to take my calcium in elemental doses? Do I buy

straight calcium citrate, no D, no magnesium, and then buy straight D and

straight magnesium so that I can take them WITH my cal citrate but in smaller

doses?

Would appreciate hearing from anyone with background, training, a degree in

nutrition or related field, who can give me answers on this issue. Am posting

to more than one list in the hope of finding help; hope no one objects.

Thanks very much,

Carol A

September 27, 2002

In a message dated 9/27/02 8:50:07 PM Central Daylight Time, Ask4mm writes:

<< Hi Carol,

If you find out the right answer,,.....I sure would like to know!! I

went to the doctor today....and was disappointed that he knew less than I do

about calcium. He has no idea what I should take....said to start on Actonal

for my osteopenia and at least 1500 elemental calcium....I asked what

brand....and he didn't know.....!!!!!

This is so discouraging.....my ionized calcium level is low....and I am

not absorbing the calcium that I am taking....so I desperately need to do

something.....

Let me know what you find out.....in the meanwhile...I am searching

for a new doctor!!>. >>

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

Marcia,

U need to address the above concerns to the whole list, and also to the grad

list and vit-mineral list. U will probably b able to get some good advice

there from old hands Since my bones are in good shape, I can't advise u on

the best calcium to take for osteopenia. I know there are several in general

use: fosamax is probably the most common. Also a nasal spray delivery system

called miacalcium or some such. You should probably take about 2000mg

ELEMENTAL calcium in calcium citrate form, spread out over 4 doses a day, and

take some vit D and magnesium at the same time. I can certainly sympathize

with u about the doc; one reason I've become a walking encyclopedia is bcuz

mine has let me down over and over again. Good luck with your search for a

new one.

Carol A

September 27, 2002