There is some discussion of Calcium and Vitamin D supplements in the osteopenia thread, but I think this important topic is deserving of its own thread, so I am starting one.

I am under doctor's orders to take 600 mg calcium/400 iu vitamin D twice daily for osteopenia. I have so far used the following supplements:

1. Caltrate soft chews. 600 mg Calcium and 400 iu per chew. No magnesium. Chews are delicious and taste like tootsie rolls but not quite as sticky on your teeth. Available in chocolate and vanilla creme, both are scrumptious. I just bought a 60 count bag for $4.99 at the local Expect Discounts store.

2. Caltrate chewable tablents. These have the same quantity of calcium and vitamin D noted above as well as magnesium which I believe assists with the calcium absorption. I got a 100 count of these for $9.99 per bottle.

3. Nature's Bounty Gelcaps. These have 1,200 mg calcium and 1000 iu vitamin D per gelcap, in other words one day's quantity per my orders. They are liquid filled absorbable gelcaps. No magnesium. I got a bottle of 120 on sale at Expect Discounts for $7.39.

Anyone who wants to add to the list on their supplements can use this thread. It was mentioned in the osteopenia thread that magnesium is important to take with calcium and I also have a separate magnesium supplement I take. These are 500 mg tablets and made by Nature's bounty. I got a 100 count bottle for $4 at Expect Discounts.

Just tried a new product, it is called Citracal Calcium Gummies. They are soft chews that taste like gummy bear candies! Two chews provide 500 mg Calcium and 500 iu Vitamin D.

When I was at the grocery store I noticed that the trend now with vitamin D and Calcium supplements is to go to chewable formats and smaller tablets. Many brands are advertising new "smaller pills" that are less intimidating and more user friendly. The Citracal Calcium Gummies are as user friendly as the Caltrate soft chews - they are basically candy.

I love the gummies and smaller tablets, bout time us grownups got something like this. Thanks for startin this tread I haven't had my surgery yet (it is feb 13th) but I have to take both now, so will look into this.

I saw a great doctor for my joint pain and he got me using 2000IU of liquid vitamin D. It absorbs much better into my system.

http://www.healthbooksummaries.com/VitaminDCure.html

The above link is to the book he wrote about the benefits in vitamin D. Other than that I take a calcium but at the moment I don't remember how much. I use both because of the remicade I am on.

I have osteoporosis and the doctor has me take 50,000 iu vitamin D every two weeks but he says nothing about taking magnesium. Why not?

quote:

I have osteoporosis and the doctor has me take 50,000 iu vitamin D every two weeks but he says nothing about taking magnesium. Why not?

Are you taking calcium as well? Here is an article on magnesium and calcium absorption written by a nutritionist with a Ph.D.:

http://www.mgwater.com/calmagab.shtml

The article opines on magnesium aiding calcium absorption, not vitamin D absorption. But as far as your question goes, only your doctor can answer that. Perhaps with the megadosing of vitamin D (and maybe calcium as well, although you have not said), nothing else is deemed to be needed in your case.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DJBHusky,

I take Standard Process Calcium Lactate. They’re small tablets, non-dairy, whole food supplement and I’ve had no problem with them. I take 6/day, which is only listed as 250 mg total, but I believe I get more out of them than using a cheaper variety that has fillers and isn’t as easily absorbed.

I’m currently using Genestra D-Mulsion 1000 drops for my vitamin D. I started by mixing them with water, but they’d always sink to the bottom of the glass so now I just put a couple of drops right onto my tongue and it’s no big deal. I’ve also used D3 gel caps of various brands from the health food store and I think they’ve all worked.

Thanks for starting this thread! Important topic!

Lynne

I finished my Citracal calcium gummies which I pretty much ate like candy, and yesterday I purchased a new product called VIACTIV caramel soft chews. This one has 500 mg calcium, 500 iu vitamin D and 40 mg vitamin K, unlike the other calcium supplements I have used which have no vitamin K. It is marketed as "Active Nutrition For Women by Women", not sure why, because all of us need calcium and vitamin D and I do not believe osteopenia discriminates based on sex or race or national origin.

The VIACTIV soft chews are delicious and are a bit softer than the Caltrate soft chews.

DJBHusky, it's good to see that you have jumped to the other side

Sue

think they are targeted for women because they come in chocolate flavors !Enjoy they are good!

quote:

think they are targeted for women because they come in chocolate flavors !

The soft chews I bought are actually caramel flavored and taste great. I like chocolate and caramel flavors even though I am a man. I honestly do not understand the marketing on any of these supplements and that is why I mention it. Some are marketed at women, some at kids, some at the elderly, none of it really makes much sense because you are eliminating some customers with such advertising. The VIACTIV product also mentions "Breast Health" on the package. I am not sure if taking vitamin D and calcium supplements will prevent breast cancer. In any event I find the marketing curious and in some cases amusing. I am a 48 year old man and I am taking these supplements: (a) because I was diagnosed with osteopenia, and (b) we J Pouchers, male and female alike, all need to take vitamin D because we do not absorb it well. Ditto with vitamin K, which is also in the VIACTIV soft chews.

Got to love a man that loves chocolate!! I agree with you on the marketing stragagies, they def target specific catagories. As soon as my vitamins are gone I am gonna get some gummies and some carmel vitamins why should the kids have all the fun. Have a great day.

My doctor recently suggested I up my Vit D to 1000 IU, so I now take Equate Brand D3 (Walmart Canada brand--you can get 180 tabs for $5.97). I also take Jaimeson son Cal/Mag + Zinc (333 cal + 167 mg + 20 mg zinc. The magnesium is a combo of cal and mag citrate as well as mag oxide). I take this twice a day only, as my multi-vit already has calcium and I've been told not to exceed 1200 mg. Jaimeson has the 100% bonus size, so 200 tabs for the price of 100, which retails on average about $7.99 in Canada.

Interesting article on calcium

http://www.naturalnews.com/034...ones_vitamin_D3.html

Markus

I was diagnosed with osteopenia 3 years ago, then osteoporosis within a year after that. For the past 2 years I have been taking calcium w/D supplement. I have added a lot of calcium to my diet. I do not take magnesium because there is a lot of it in our water and I eat a banana every day. I read that potassium also helps with absorption. I just had my bone density test a couple of months ago and my scores were slightly improved with the exception of one that stayed the same. I'm very encouraged by this and hoping that it continues to improve.