Calcium and Heartburn

[elery]

I have been taking a calcium supplement (Vitamin Code Raw Calcium) formula from Garden of Life for about 8 months now. As soon as I started taking it, I noticed that I was having feelings in my digestive tract between my stomach and throat, almost like a reflux or gas coming up. I passed it off as coincidence. However, within the past several weeks it has gotten worse, with frequent periods of painful burning in my stomach. Last night I was in so much distress I called the nurse hotline, and she said I was suffering from heartburn. I didn't know heartburn could be so painful. And she made it sound like there is no hope except to take antacids, which in my reading I see that they block the acids that are necessary for your body to get the nutrients it needs from your food. She asked if I had any health conditions, and when I told her I had osteoporosis, the first thing she asked was if I was taking calcium supplements. She recommended a visit to the doctor as soon as possible to determine possible underlying reasons. I am discontinuing my supplements this morning and searching for the best sources to get the calcium I need from my diet. Has anyone else experienced a problem with taking calcium supplements? I realize there may be other factors as well, but I have noticed all along that this problem started coinciding with the calcium supplements.

[Nanaedake]

Are you taking osteoporosis meds?

[elery in reply to Nanaedake]

Thank you for your reply. No, I am not taking any osteoporosis meds. They scare me more than the disease. I decided to go the natural route: SANE> Supplementation, Attitude, Nutrition and Exercise. The Calcium was part of my supplementation plan. However, in my study I realize that I can get the calcium from my diet if I am intentional about it each day.

[HeronNS]

What kind of calcium were you taking? It can be helpful to take calcium with a meal. And if you have been experiencing acid reflux then it's best not to take it within a couple of hours of lying down. Don't take calcium supplements at the same time as some other supplements like iron or magnesium (calcium interferes with their absorption) or indeed with most medications.

That being said it is possible to get enough calcium from our food, in fact preferable. Dairy is not the best form, unless it is fermented, like yoghurt, kefir and some cheeses. In fermented form dairy is good. Other high calcium sources include the little bones in tinned salmon and sardines, and many leafy vegetables. Also found in many other kinds of foods, e.g., almonds.

Magnesium is also important and found in many foods, magnesium being to plants what iron is to animals.

[elery in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you HeronNS. It is calcium from algae. I divide the dosage up between breakfast and lunch and always take it with food. I do not take any close to bedtime, in fact I try not to eat anything for several hours before bedtime, because it is not good to go to bed with food on your stomach; I have followed this plan for years. I am on a vegetarian diet, but know there are good sources of calcium in the plant world and fortified plant milks etc. There is magnesium in the calcium supplement I take, so I would have been taking it at the same time; however, I don't take any iron supplements, it would be only what I get from my food. I am fairly active, and do not lie down during the day, so that would not be causing the reflux. For the past couple of days I am not taking the calcium, have been careful of what I eat, and I have not had any pain. I am quite happy to get the calcium from my food; I guess I was using the supplements as "insurance." Was it Plato who said, "Let food be your medicine, and medicine be your food?"

[HeronNS in reply to elery]

Hippocrates?

I would suggest that perhaps a nurse consulted over the phone may not be enough because it certainly sounds like you've been doing things right.

[elery in reply to HeronNS]

Yes, Hippocrates. I just looked it up. I plan to go forward armed with the information I have, but if the pains continue I will see a doctor. Thank you for your help. I have received so much support from this site since I was diagnosed with OP last year.

[lightbody]

Your diet in general should be considered. Avoid vinegars, tomatoes, orange juice. Baking soda is what i take with water, when i have heartburn. You need calcium. Best to you.

[elery in reply to lightbody]

Thank you lightbody.

[HeronNS]

lightbody's comment triggered a google search by me:

webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/fe...

[elery in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you. These are largely the items the nurse told me to avoid. A lot of them I don't use anyway; however, I do enjoy tomatoes, onions, and garlic. I had tomato on my sandwich today and it didn't seem to hurt me, so that was good news. I just happened to be at a business meeting today, and asked the waitress to hold the tomato, but when my sandwich showed up with tomato, I decided to eat it and see what happened. I have eliminated all the trigger foods and will re-introduce them to see what may be triggers for me.

[Fruitandnutcase]

You will probably have seen it by now but the ROS have a leaflet called Healthy Living for Strong Bones and it lists calcium containing foods in order of how much they provide. It’s really helpful and so far one of the best I’ve seen. Not only nay that I discovered that I’m probably getting more calcium than I thought through non milk sources.

I took my first alendronic acid tablet yesterday - on the whole I felt better after taking that than I did with the calcium and vitamin D. I really don’t want to take it, it’s a horrible drug and it scares me but the pain and ongoing discomfort of my wrist fracture ground me down to the extent that I just took it. I know lots of people who take it and it doesn’t seem to bother them so why does it bother me?

I’m seriously thinking of stopping it - I’d hate to think I worried about taking it then the coronavirus got me anyway so I’m tempted to give it up until I see if I survive the coronavirus.

[4Chie]

I hope you are feeling better without calcium supplements. What did you use to get Calcium vitamins for the bones support. I just experience this that after taking Calcium Supplements I get bad heartburns. I might have low acid stomach? I been suffering from Digestive Sensitivities. Now dry mouth with Thyroid being Hypo then Hyper.

[elery]

My pain stopped within 24 hours of discontinuing the calcium supplement and it has not returned. I can eat anything I want, including "trigger foods". I am getting my calcium through calcium-rich and calcium-fortified foods. That doesn't seem to bother me.

[HappyL]

Hi, I had exactly the same problem with taking calcium supplements that were prescribed to me. Firstly, I spoke to a royal osteoporosis nurse and she advised to stop taking the calcium which I did then spoke to a pharmacist then my doctor. Have now been taken off evcal and alendronic acid as drugs seems to be causing too many side effects. I have been told to take only vitamin d. I had been on the treatment for 18 months following a compression fracture. I am awaiting an appointment from hospital re further osteoporosis treatment!! But I feel so much better now not taking alendronic acid as I was also experiencing severe joint pain which is slowly disappearing. I am 71 years young, not taking any other medication.

[HappyL in reply to HappyL]

I follow the ROS exercise plan and have a good diet free from as many additives as I can.