Calcium : What is best brand/quality... - Bone Health and O...

Bone Health and Osteoporosis UK

5,580 members2,451 posts

Calcium

Jshapz profile image
25 Replies

What is best brand/quality for those with osteoporosis

Written by
Jshapz profile image
Jshapz
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
25 Replies
HeronNS profile image
HeronNS

Probably less an issue of brand quality, as supplements should be regulated by the relevant government agency, as what kind agrees with you and your digestion, and also what else you take to help the calcium do its job. Many of us think that calcium citrate is better tolerated than carbonate. In any event taking calcium with citrus or something similar seems to help - Vitamin C. I believe some researchers have found that calcium is better absorbed when taken with a bit of yoghurt, but I'm not sure why - maybe the presence of good bacteria? Also you need the optimum amount of Vitamin D3 for you, and I always think people should take Vitamin K2 (caveat, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're on warfarin type bloodthinner) and possibly magnesium. I think capsules are better for me than hard tablets. Some people take a chewable form of calcium. But it's really all about making sure that calcium you take is actually going to be used by the body. You want it going into the bones, not settling in organs or onto the walls of blood vessels (Vitamin K2 important for that). And it's best not to have a dose greater than 400 or 500 mg at a time as the body can't absorb more than that. Best split calcium supplement through the day, have a dose at two or three meals. And also make sure if you're on any other meds that it's okay to take calcium at same time or if you have to separate the times, as calcium can interfere with the proper absorption of some medications or even other supplements (including, annoyingly, magnesium).

Jshapz profile image
Jshapz in reply to HeronNS

Thank you. The one I’ve been taking daily is 2 tabs together containing 800mg of calcium plus 300 magnesium and amounts of zinc copper manganese selenium and boron I find them hard to swallow and the one prescribed by nhs was big and chewable but made me feel sick. Was like chalk.

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to Jshapz

I believe if there is magnesium in the same supplement it's maintaining the balance, the issue with magnesium is if you only get the calcium then the additional calcium means a magnesium supplement won't be properly absorbed. But the more important problem is the size of the tablet. I have on occasion bought by mistake calcium tablets - the bottle is almost identical to the capsules I prefer. I cannot swallow those tablets, even though they are lozenge shaped, and I don't usually have a problem with taking pills. I suggest you look around for a capsule. I don't live in the UK so I can't help you with specific brands, but there must be something like that available. And if you can take a smaller dose than 800 at a time you'll likely be getting better absorption. I take three doses a day which together add up to about 900 mg. I only take three doses of the four recommended on the bottle, so they are expecting a customer to take in 1200 over the course of the day. I figure I'm also getting plenty of calcium from my food.

Jshapz profile image
Jshapz in reply to HeronNS

That’s really helpful. Do you take magnesium separately and does your calcium capsules have Vit D. Sort for the questions

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to Jshapz

Sometimes I take magnesium instead of one of the calcium doses. Sometimes I soak in the tub with Epsom salts - then magnesium is absorbed through the skin. We get a lot of magnesium in our food as magnesium is to plants what iron is to animals!

Jshapz profile image
Jshapz in reply to HeronNS

Good idea re the bath soak. I’m vegan so working on diet constantly!

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to Jshapz

Got any ideas on how to get enough protein if your body has decided it doesn't want to digest legumes any more?

Jshapz profile image
Jshapz in reply to HeronNS

I eat lots o mushrooms tofu asparagus Brussels peas and then all the usual good veg. Love jack fruit

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to Jshapz

Thanks. When I throw that queston out to people they come back with , get this, chickpeas, peanuts!!! I'm not a fan of tofu, unfortunately. But I'm not vegan, only vegetarian, so I do eat cheese, kefir, etc. But it's the main course of dinner which is hard to make substantial enough these days. Someone did, helpfully, suggest quinoa, so I should eat that more, and make it into things, like patties.

Jshapz profile image
Jshapz in reply to HeronNS

I make my own pies with lots of different veg I bought Linda McCartney’s veg pies once and it was all gooy pastry with a tiny amount of veg and lots of thick gravy. Awful considering how cheap veg is Making loads of money in her name! I make a lot of noodle and veg bowls with miso soup as base. Is hard at first but got used to it now - almost lol. Try reading The China Study. So interesting with regard to the research over years on the effect meat and dairy has on the body

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to Jshapz

Yes, they both contain vitamin D, but I also take one 1000 IU oily capsule of D daily. My doctor had recommended 2000 IU, but my D level got too high so I cut it out for a while then went to the 1000 IU which seems to be about right for me. I have otherwise non-symptomatic sarcoidosis which means my body activates too much Vitamin D, not a problem for most people, our bodies should only activate what we need.

Jshapz profile image
Jshapz in reply to HeronNS

Such a complex machine our body

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to HeronNS

Just for your info, this is one of the supplements I take: well.ca/products/new-roots-...

and this is the other: naturalfactors.com/product/...

Jshapz profile image
Jshapz in reply to HeronNS

Thank you

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to HeronNS

Better link for strong bones: newrootsherbal.com/product/...

Jshapz profile image
Jshapz in reply to HeronNS

Thank you. Just found this on amazon

MollyStark profile image
MollyStark

I use the Betteryou Magnesium Bone lotion which is magnesium and calcium applied to the body. I apply it to areas of the body where there is no fat (directly on the spine, shins hands for example. ) I've only been using it a short time but I'm working on the assumption that a topical supplement may be more effective than an oral one. I totalled up the amount of calcium I get from my diet (using the guide on the ROS website) and it would seem I get more than enough from my intake. Apoarently, it shouldn't be necessary to take oral calcium supplements if your diet has enough of it but a topical supplement should get directly to where it's needed, ie., the bone.

Does anyone else have positive results using the same type of topical supplement?

Jshapz profile image
Jshapz in reply to MollyStark

Wow that’s interesting. Never heard of it. Do you have osteoporosis and do you take meds

MollyStark profile image
MollyStark in reply to Jshapz

I've only been using it a short time so don't know how effective it will be. I do have osteoporosis but until now not on meds. I had a compression fracture a few months ago and am waiting for an appointment with a rheumatologist. My GP has suggested raloxifene because it's likely I would have problems taking bisphosphonates, but I need to see a specialist first.

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to MollyStark

I've never heard of transdermal calcium, although magnesium is well known (Epsom salts) and I do know you can get an oral spray of Vitamin K2. Vitamin D, of course, is actually made in our skin. I couldn't find anything online except a rather unhelpful Quora answer. Can you post a link?

MollyStark profile image
MollyStark in reply to HeronNS

I don't know how effective it will be but figured it was worth a try alongside my other supplements. I use the K2 oral spray which is made by the same company.

misspops profile image
misspops

Hi,

I've been taking my calcium from a company that call it "raw calcium" . I don't know what they mean by "raw", but it is suppose to come from sea algae. Apparently it is absorbed more efficiently. It makes sense, but who knows if it is really better, (it is quite dear).

I've been taking it now for about a year and a half, for osteoporosis, and I can't wait for my next dexa scan, to see if it has helped. That won't be until the spring, but I will let everyone know if it has reversed the disease.

MollyStark profile image
MollyStark in reply to misspops

Please do let us know. I haven't heard of it so will do to be reading up.

lightbody profile image
lightbody

I am going with a plant base calcium. Plant based is more bio-available to the body. I suggest looking into Algaecal and strontium. My friend improved her T-score on those products. Good luck.

Jshapz profile image
Jshapz in reply to lightbody

Thank you - will have a read up x

You may also like...

Calcium and supplements

Calcium and Heartburn

health conditions, and when I told her I had osteoporosis, the first thing she asked was if I was...

absorbing calcium and nutrients

Long Term Avoidance of calcium

am I absorbing calcium