Re: calcium supps, daily need for

[Guest guest]

The gastric bypass affects calcium digestion and absorption in two way.

First, with a fully intact digestive and absorption system, the foods

containing calcium and calcium supplements stew in stomach acid in the

stomach for two or so hours during which time the calcium is separated

out from the food and supplement compounds. A gastric bypass patient

neither produces enough stomach acid for this separation to occur, nor

do the food or supplements remain in the gastric pouch for two hours.

Calcium foods and supplements pass directly into the intestinal tract

largely undigested. This lack of stomach acid also affects elderly

individuals who have not have WLS. As you age, the stomach produces

less stomach acid. Hence, individuals over 55 usually need to take

calcium supplements because of their diminished production of stomach

acid.

The second factor in reduced calcium absorption is the rearrangement of

the digestive tract. After an RNY, food and supplements bypass the

stomach and duodenum, which is the upper part of the intestine. The

duodenum has special receptors which specialize in iron and calcium

absorption. With those receptors bypassed, the remaining parts of the

intestine, the jejunum and ileum have to absorb the calcium. Since they

are less efficient at doing this, more calcium is needed.

Age, sex and type of operation affect the amount of calcium your body

needs. If you are under 30, your bones may not have reached maximum

potential density. You should take more calcium to help achieve maximum

bone density. If you are over 55, the aging process has diminished your

calcium absorption capability. You should take more calcium if you are

over 55. For a variety of reason, women have a harder time maintaining

adequate calcium absorption. Females over 45 or who have gone through

or may be going through menopause generally need more calcium. If your

operation has left you with a small common channel, i.e., the part of

the intestine where food, supplements and digestive juices mix, this

higher degree of malabsorption will require larger amounts of calcium to

meet your needs.

The nutritional consequences of the various form of WLS is discussed in

great detail at http://www.bariatricsupplementsystem.com You can use

the information there to develop your own supplement system.

Ray Hooks

For WLS nutrition info, visit

http://www.bariatricsupplementsystem.com

lacorona@... wrote:

>

> Dear all, don't want to stick my nose into anyone's private life of

> supplementation, but would you all please reiterate how gastric bypass

> surgery makes you not absorb reg food calcium and you have to supplement

> daily. Don't get into the GREAT Calcium DEBATE, just tell us what the fine

> print says about post-op about daily calcium supps. Vitagal???ey, you ridin'

> shotgun with me here on this one? Tell it baby,

> love,

> ceep

>

> In a message dated 11/10/02 3:34:57 PM, Graduate-OSSG writes:

>

> << I don't do calcium supplements except for a couple tums now and then when I

>

> remember......I've not had any kidney stones since

>

> 1972....my latest labs came back with my calcium up from when it was done in

>

> January....so go figure...eh? >>

>

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