Calcium - suggestions for "best" brand/dosage??
 

I looked for a thread on Calcium, did not see one.

I was taking Cal-Mag-Zinc until mrsd enlightened me. I am now taking Zinc and Slow_mag, but just realized I have not taken a Calcium supplement for over a month now.

Suggestions as to which type of Calcium to take would be greatly appreciated. Dosage too.
I am 63, my weight is dropping rapidly due to a change in my eating habits and detoxing off the opiates. I am about 206 now and hope to make 180 within the next 6 months. Thanks to this forum I am taking an active role in my Vitamin/Mineral supplements.

It seems there are a few dozen types of calcium out there. My bones are sound and to my knowledge, I don't have any other indications of Calcium deficiency, and I would like to keep it that way. Suggestions?

typically
 

most calcium supplements are calcium carbonate.

For people with kidney issues, or a history of stones, then calcium citrate is used. (CitraCal).

Anyone of course can use the citrate form. It is slightly better absorbed.

For best results Vit D should taken also, and I'd suggest the new guidelines, for dosing.

There are foods now enriched with calcium. I use a Lactaid milk that has 50% of the RDA in it. There are also calcium enriched orange juices.

There are limits to how much can be absorbed at a dose, so breaking up the total amount in divided doses is best, rather than taking it all at once.

I prefer Maalox rapid dissolve multisymptom--it has simethicone for gas, and works well for me. I don't take it every day since I eat calcium rich foods.
A cup of yogurt has about 400mg calcium in it. My husband has a yogurt every day with breakfast.
Vegetables like broccoli have about 100mg /serving.
Swiss cheese 275mg
Salmon 250mg

Calcium interferes with absorption of some drugs:
Cipro and other fluroquinolones
Tetracycline family
phenytoin (anticonvulsant)

There are studies coming out now showing using calcium alone with no Vit D, is not efficient or worthwhile, so attention to Vit D intake is very important.

I am taking Vitamin D (thanks to your info) and my Mylanta has 400mg of Calcium Carbonate in it. MG??? I think it said mg.

My Gastro...sorry ... brain fade .... the doctor who manages my GERD suggested Mylanta a couple of years ago. I go through a 12oz bottle in 3-4 days. GERD causes really bad things to happen to me, so I take Nexium (Max Dose) and use Mylanta. If you have ever had an attack of Vocal Cord Dysfunction, you would know why I am real careful not to let my GERD get too active.

Thanks again, I will switch to Calcium Citrate tomorrow. I guess Walmart has it??

I seem to recall you take Neurontin?
 

One cannot take the Neurontin at the same time with Mylanta.
The magnesium hydroxide in it will bind the gabapentin and prevent it from being absorbed. So space them out.