Guest guest Posted October 21, 2002 Report Share Posted October 21, 2002 Sue and all, Here's what I could find on your calcium, which could be gluconate, or glubionate: FOR INFORMATION and EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY: This information is not meant to start another calcium debate. Here is the information on the types of calcium (without judgement) contained in two sources (listed at the bottom). As both a physician and a bypass patient, I find both of these sources medically sound and useful. I hope you do as well. From Source 1: " Let's look at the different calcium combinations: --- calcium carbonate: The cheapest supplement, is also the highest in elemental clcium: 40 percent. This is the form of calcium found in Tums and many generic versions. It has one big drawback: It dissolves slowly in your stomach, so you may not get the full benefit of all the calcium. ---calcium phosphate ( also called tribasic calcium phosphate): 39 percent elemental calcium, but you don't need the extra phosphorus that comes with these tablets-skip them. --- calcium citrate: This is the form that many doctors and nutritionists recommend. Only 21 percent elemental calcium, and relatively expensive. On the big plus side, it dissolves easily even if you don't have much stomach acid, so you're more likely to absorb all the calcium before the pill passes out of your stomach. Many people naturally produce less acid as they age, so this is a good choice for older adults. It's also good for people on acid blocking drugs. ---calcium lactate: found in many generic calcium supplements. only 13 percent elemental calcium and relatively expensive. on the other hand, it dissolves easily even in low stomach acid; it is a good choice for older adults and those who take acid blocking drugs. ---calcium gluconate: also found in many generics, but has only 9 percent elemental calcium. not a very good choice. --- calcium glubionate: This is a concentrated syrup form that contains 6.5 percent elemental calcium. You'd need to take 12 teaspoons a day to get 1,000 mg of calcium. this is on the expensive side. take it only if your doctor suggests it. Adding to all the calcium confusion are three forms you should not take, no matter how large the word " natural " is on the label. ---Bone meal: A powder made from the ground bones of cattle, bone meal has over 1,500 mg of calcium in a 5-gm serving, along with other minerals such as phosphorus and zinc. The FDA warns that bone meal may contain dangerously high amounts of lead. --- Dolomite: This is a mineral also known as calcium magnesium carbonate. It contains calcium, and also magnesium, which you may not want or shouldn't take. The FDA warns that dolomite may contain dangerously high amounts of lead. ---Oyster-shell calcium: this is actually a type of calcium carbonate, but its made from ground up oyster shells. It may also contain too much lead and sometimes other contaimminants such as mercury and cadmium. Do not use this if you are allergic to shellfish. " ::::Source 2 :::: " Several studies indicate some calcium supplements may contain substantial amounts of lead. Lead is a toxic metal that primarily affects the brain, kidney, and red blood cell manufacture. Lead toxicity is a significant problem in industrialized countries like the US. The level of lead in the body is directly linked to IQ.... " In 1981, the FDA cautioned the public to limit its intake of calcium supplements derived from dolomite or bone meal because of the potentially high lead levels in these calcium supplements. Hoever recent studies show that other calcium sources, such as carbonateand various chelates, may also contain high amounts of lead. " To determin the extent of the lead problem in calcium supplements, researchers measured the lead level in 70 brands of calcium supplements. The results indicated lead content is still a major concern in some calcium supplement forms. They divided 70 brands into 5 categories: 1. Refined calcium carbonate produced in a lab (n=17) 2. Unrefined calcium carbonate derived from limestone or oyster shell (n=25) 3. Calcium bound to chelates (citrate, gluconate, lactate, etc) (n=13) 4. Dolomite (n=9) 5 Bone meal (n=6) Here are the results- (amount of lead in micrograms of lead per 800 milligrams of calcium) The recommended level is less than or equal to 1 microgram of lead/800mg or calcium. 1. Refined calcium carbonate, 0.92 3. Calcium chelate, 1.64 4. Dolomite, 4.17 2. Unrefined calcium carbonate, 6.05 5. Bone meal, 11.33 None of the dolomite (9 products) and bone meal (6 products), and only 3 out of 25 un refined calcium carbonate products ahd lead levels below the recommended lead level. " Because of the total tolerable daily lead intake for children 6 years and under is less than 6 micrograms, young children should use refined calcium carbonate or chelated calcium products for supplementation. Chelated calcium, especially calcium citrate is better absorbed than calcium carbonate; therefore, products that feature a calcium bond to citrate, gluconate, or some other organic molecule are best. The smae is true for older children and adults as well. " Avoid natural oyster shill calcium, dolomite, and bone meal products unless the manufacturer provides reasonable assurance that lead levels are negligible. Although refined calcium carbonate has the lowest lead contecnt the body absorbs calcium chelates more efficiently. " The absorption of calcium depends somewhat on the calcium becoming ionized in the intestines. Calcium ionization is a major problem with calcium carbonate, the most widely used calcium supplement. In order for calcium carbonate to be absorbed it must first be solubilized and ionized by stomach acid. " Studies with postmenopausal women show that about 40 % of the women studied are severley deficient in stomach acid. Patients with insufficient stomach acid output can only absorb about 4 % of a calcium carbonate oral dose, but a person with normal stomach acid can absorb about 22 %. Patients with low stomach acid secretion need a form of calcium already in a solule and ionized state, like calcium citrate, calcium lactate, or calcium gluconate. Patients with reduced stomach acid absorb about 45 % of the calcium form calcium citrate compared to 4 % absorption for calcium carbonate. " This difference in absorption clearly demonstrates that ionized soluble calcium in more beneficial than insoluble calcium salts like clacium carbonate in patients iwth reduced stomach acid secretion. Calcium is also more bioavailable from calcium citrate than form calcium carbonate in normal subjects. Calcium citrate and other soluble forms (lactate, aspartate, orotate, etc) are the best supplements availalble for optimal absorption. " The article goes on further to discuss how calcium citrate provides a prtective effect against the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones that other forms of calcium supplementation cannot provide. Sources: 1. Pressman, DC, PhD, Alan H and Buff, Sheila; Vitamins and Minerals; alpha books; 2000 2. Murray, ND, T; Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements; Prima Health Publishing 1996 Calcium Again I was watching an infomercial on television the other night. They were advertising a calcium supplement whose principal ingredient was calcium glutomate (sp?). Has any one heard of this? Thanks Sue Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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