Which calcium?

[palewolf]

Can anyone advise me which form of calcium is best to take (eg citrate or carbonate), and how many mg's daily, and if you can recommend a particular brand that would be really helpful, preferably one which does not contain Vit D.magnesium and K2 as I take all these separately. Thank you.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I have only ever taken calcium carbonate with vit D as that is what I get on prescription. My bone density barely changed over a period of 7 years so it obviously worked for me.

Bear in mind that people here are all over the world - what is available in one country won't be available in another.

[palewolf in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, I have been taking calcium citrate as it is supposed to be absorbed better, but carbonate contains more elemental calcium which is why I was confused. It is encouraging to know that your bone density has barely changed in 7 years so on that note I think I will change to calcium carbonate as it is more available to buy than citrate. How many milligrams would you recommend daily. I eat lots of yogurt and I drink milk but feel I need to top up the levels. My GP never advised me to take mineral supplements, although he did prescribe AA ( which I refuse to take). I did have a Vit D blood test when I was diagnosed which was 60.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to palewolf]

I take standard supplements: 2x daily 500mg calcium and 400 IU vit D. I also take an extra separate vit D supplement. There is little point buying ones with more than 500mg calcium per tablet as the body can't absorb more than about that at one time so taking 2x daily is better. I also eat a diet that is probably OK but not high in terms of calcium content as I eat a fair bit of cheese, leafy greens and almonds.

[palewolf in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks that's really helpful.

[jaycee444]

I take Calcium Citrate rather than Calcium Carbonate as I dont wish to alter the PH in my stomach and make it too alkaline. I take other medication which is PH dependent and designed to work when it reaches the small intestine. If my stomach was too alkaline then this medicine would be ineffective. Calcium Citrate works out more expensive than Carbonate. I buy Solgar Calcium Citrate.

[palewolf in reply to jaycee444]

Thanks jaycee, that's very helpful.