Calcium supplementation

[Caze]

I currently take 300mg of Magnesium Glycinate in the evening to help me sleep.

I take Vit D and vit K2 Mk-7 except for the summer months when I make sure I get some sunshine. However, I do not take any calcium and as I am currently following an anti-inflammatory diet I am avoiding most dairy and eggs so wondering if I need to supplement. Any advice about what to take and amount? - I am thinking about osteoporosis as I am 73 and just slipped and had a fall. I understand you are supposed to take Calcium away from magnesium and away from your thyroid meds but not sure of the ratio i.e Calcium, vit D, magnesium or if I need to take calcium at all. Bit confused about it to be honest. Any help much appreciated. Thanks.

[bantam12]

You shouldn't take calcium unless tested and shown to be very low, taking both Vitd and calcium risks hypercalcemia which is something to be avoided.

[greygoose]

Taking vit d increases your absorption of calcium from food, which is why we take vit K2 with it, to make sure the calcium goes into our teeth and bones.

Dairy isn't the only food that contains calcium, plenty of veggies do, too. So, it is highly unlikely that you need calcium supplements. And, calcium tablets are best avoid unless absolutely necessary because they are not easily absorbed, and tend to build up in the arteries.

Besides, calcium is neither a cure nor a preventitive for osteoporosis. It can even make the problem worse by making the bones more brittle. You do need some, of course, but magnesium is far more important for bones than calcium. We've just all been brain-washed by the Dairy Industry to believe we need more and more calcium, when we really don't. So, I think I'd give it a miss, if I were you.

FYI, it's not magnesium you shouldn't take with calcium, it's iron. Iron and calcium bind together so that neither can be absorbed. That's one of the reasons that mult-vits are such a bad idea!

[Caze in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for your reply. Didn't know this about iron and calcium. I wonder if this problem re multi vits can be avoided by using patches rather than tablets.? I am currently using a multi vit patch which is v convenient. Perhaps I cd contact the supplier and find out.

[greygoose in reply to Caze]

I've never heard of multi-vit patches. Could you possibly link me to it, so that I can see the ingredients?

[Caze in reply to greygoose]

Description

PatchMD’s specially designed Multivitamin Plus Patch is a comprehensive, broad spectrum daily multivitamin combining 27 essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants all in one easy topical patch. Vitamins; A, C, D, E, K2, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12. Folate, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, Iodine, Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium, Copper, Manganese, Chromium, Molybdenum, Potassium, Chloride and Boron. See photo for amounts. Nanotechnology delivers a therapeutic dose at a fraction of the weight. Transdermal (via the skin) delivery of nutrients, is superior to oral delivery: Bypasses the stomach and liver (first pass effect), resulting in more of the nutrient compounds entering the bloodstream. Slow delivery spread over an 8 hour period is more beneficial than a large single dose. Bypassing the stomach removes potential for gut irritation. No pills to swallow! PatchMD features cutting edge 3-layer topical patch technology, designed for maximum effectiveness and durability throughout the day/night. Contact Layer - this layer's exclusive, all-natural adhesive allows the patch to be worn anywhere on the body and to stay in place throughout the day/night. Multi Nutrient Layer - this layer is designed to release nutrients throughout the day/night. Backing Layer - this layer is uniquely designed to effectively provide structural support for the patch to be worn all day/night, even with high activity. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Made in USA.

[greygoose in reply to Caze]

OK, so that's a vague description, but that does not tell you what form of B12 or vit D or magnesium they use, which is equally important. Nor do they tell you how much of each. Which is equally important. I'm not even sure if it's possible for things like iron and calcium to be absorbed through the skin.

But, there are things in there that you really don't want to take without testing first. Iodine, calcium, vit D, iron, copper. They could all have negative effects if you don't need to take them. And, iodine it's very, very doubtful that you need. It could be very harmful as you're hypo. You're already getting iodine from your thyroid hormone replacement - 100 mcg levo contians approx 65 mcg iodine, which is recycled in the body. Plus what you get from food. It's doubtful you need anymore. So, in that respect, I cannot see that a patch is any better than a pill. It's still a very bad idea.

[Caze in reply to greygoose]

Sorry for delay in replying just noticed yr post. The type of vitamin/mineral is on the back of the packet plus the quantity - its just that I dont know how to do links. If you go to Amazon uk and search for vitamin patches it comes up. I am mindful of taking stuff in excess and I only use half a patch daily. The B vitamins are the correct type.

Currently I am on quite a restrictive diet, diabetic, IBS so FODMAP, anti - inflammatory for arthritis so no red meat etc etc. So the idea of a multivit was a bit of insurance. I noted that Paul Robinson in his Thyroid Patient's Manual takes a multivit/mineral for exactly that reason. As I suffer from IBS and multidose T3, taking a patch rather than a tablet which has to go through the gut appeals. As for the efficacy - I cant vouch for the multivit patch but I know the iron patch works from blood tests.

I think the points you raise about being mindful of type of supplement, amount and possible problems when some are taken together are valid and something we need to be aware of.