my wife is beginning menopause and a recent bone density scan showed bone loss. we are both confused by the different types of calcium supplements around. her naturopath reccommends oscap or calappetite, both of which, of course, she sells. the things i've read have me leaning toward a mixed formula with calcium carbonate, citrate, and malate along with magnesium oxide and succinate (calcium and magnesium in equal amounts). what about boron? in the past she developed small calcium postules around her nose when taking a supplement. does this mean that absorption is less of a problem? she currently meditates for 30 minutes a day (she knows twice a day is better, but...) and is starting an exercise program as well as attempting to eat more greens. all in all, she seems in excellent health with very few menopausal symptoms. dr. stoll, can we please have your thoughts.
Follow Ups:
Re: calcium supplements and menopause
Posted by David Ferguson, D.C. on August 26, 1998 at 13:08:16:
In Reply to: calcium supplements and menopause posted by d on August 26, 1998 at 10:40:45:
I vote for the Calapetite since it has been shown to not only slow osteoporosis but to actually reverse it.
Just my two cents worth.
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Re: calcium supplements and menopause
Posted by d on August 26, 1998 at 13:23:48:
In Reply to: Re: calcium supplements and menopause posted by David Ferguson, D.C. on August 26, 1998 at 13:08:16:
thanks, dave. is this the same as calcium hydroxyapatite?
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Re: calcium supplements and menopause
Posted by David Ferguson, D.C. on August 26, 1998 at 18:16:58:
In Reply to: Re: calcium supplements and menopause posted by d on August 26, 1998 at 13:23:48:
yup, sure is
Re: calcium supplements and menopause
Posted by Walt Stoll on August 27, 1998 at 09:54:48:
In Reply to: calcium supplements and menopause posted by d on August 26, 1998 at 10:40:45:
Dear d.,
Listen to Doc Dave. Both my wife & I take the "calapatite with boron" by Metagenics (Ethical Nutrients is the same but their healthfood arm). With this stuff, you don't need to worry about taking ANYTHING else for bone. The rest of your supplementary program can be incorporated into a total wellness program.
Remember, not smoking and doing exercise is also important for this process.
Walt
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Re: calcium dosage
Posted by d on August 27, 1998 at 10:51:31:
In Reply to: Re: calcium supplements and menopause posted by Walt Stoll on August 27, 1998 at 09:54:48:
thanks, walt. this stuff is a little pricey. can you tell me the most efficient dose? and how about augmenting it with something a little less expensive or would that just foul things up?
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Re: calcium dosage
Posted by David Ferguson, D.C. on August 27, 1998 at 18:28:48:
In Reply to: Re: calcium dosage posted by d on August 27, 1998 at 10:51:31:
We sell the 90 tablet bottle of Calapetite from Metagenics for $10. That's a months supply. Surely you can find someone else in your area that can sell it to you for under $20. There is also a 270 tablet bottle that you should surely be able to get for $35-40, or close to. Shop around. With Boron might be just a little higher.
You can even find the stuff online for $18 at http://www.natmedsol.com/Products/Mecaap.htm
I usually recommend 3 tablets a day(one with each meal) if you are using it as preventative. Up to 6/day if you already have osteoporosis.
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Re: calcium dosage
Posted by Nancy on August 27, 1998 at 19:56:14:
In Reply to: Re: calcium dosage posted by David Ferguson, D.C. on August 27, 1998 at 18:28:48:
Dave
My chiropractor sells me the 270/w Boron for $35! My iridologist muscle tested me and found that taking 3 tablets at night was appropriate for me. Do you disagree with that? My chiropractor seemed taken aback by it.
Thanks
Nancy
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Re: calcium dosage
Posted by David Ferguson, D.C. on August 27, 1998 at 23:05:18:
In Reply to: Re: calcium dosage posted by Nancy on August 27, 1998 at 19:56:14:
Good price.
I would think that taking 3 tablets at night would be a waste of money(I could be wrong) because 1. a person can only absorb so much at a time and 2. if you take something on an empty stomach it will cruise right through you. So the other side of that coin is that if you take one with each meal then you only have one at a time to absorb, evenly throughout the day, and since it is with a meal it will go through more slowly and the intestines have a greater period of time to absorb what is there.
I have seen a lot of vitamin tablets in what appears to be the large colon of patients, on x-ray. Leading me to the conclusion that this whole tablet has not even begun to break down and be absorbed. Hence, a waste of money. These people usually report that they have taken them on an empty stomach.
It is possible that I am off base on my reasoning but common sense tells me to take MY vitamins after eating so that they are on top of all that food and will spend the most amount of time in my digestive system.
I would imagine that you iridologist feels that taking them before bed allows them all night to digest but I think the go right on through and join the rest of the "kids ready to be dropped off at the pool" ;-)
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Re: calcium dosage
Posted by Walt Stoll on August 28, 1998 at 10:46:39:
In Reply to: Re: calcium dosage posted by d on August 27, 1998 at 10:51:31:
Dear d.,
In this area, you get about what you pay for. Look into what this stuff really is & you will not think it is "pricy". Hydroxyapatite is the only thing yet known that will actually reverse ostroporosis---------except for the REALLY pricy drug that just came out that has lots of dangerous side effects.
One might as well take something that works AND is safe.
Walt
Re: calcium dosage
Posted by Walt Stoll on August 28, 1998 at 12:08:05:
In Reply to: Re: calcium dosage posted by Nancy on August 27, 1998 at 19:56:14:
Dear Nancy,
Muy wife & I each take 2 tablets twice a day. Your dose sounds right in the ball park.
Walt
Re: calcium dosage
Posted by Walt Stoll on August 28, 1998 at 12:13:54:
In Reply to: Re: calcium dosage posted by David Ferguson, D.C. on August 27, 1998 at 23:05:18:
Dear Doc Dave,
What you say makes sense. My experience is that it makes no difference. People seem to get there results whether they take them with meals or not.
However, I am still in the learning phase and would like to hear more. I am ready to change if appropriate.
I think it might make a difference if the individual has insufficient digestive enzymes to digest a regular meal. However, THAT would make taking supplements on an empty stomach MORE desirable.
Talk at me?
Namaste` Walt
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Re: calcium dosage
Posted by Nancy on August 29, 1998 at 16:37:52:
In Reply to: Re: calcium dosage posted by David Ferguson, D.C. on August 27, 1998 at 23:05:18:
Dave
Chiropractors must think alike. That's what mine says, too. I often eat late, so my stomach is rarely "empty" when I take them, but still, if 3 is too many to digest at one time, I'm willing to change the dosage and times I take them. I do take digestive enzymes (Food Enzymes by Natures Sunshine) with every meal, but not usually with snacks. Do you think that has an effect one way or the other?
Thanks.
Nancy
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Re: calcium dosage
Posted by Nancy on August 29, 1998 at 16:41:42:
In Reply to: Re: calcium dosage posted by Walt Stoll on August 28, 1998 at 12:13:54:
Walt
I take "Food Enzymes" by N. Sunshine with every meal. So, would that help the digestion of them if taken with meals?
Nancy
Follow Ups:
Re: calcium dosage
Posted by David Ferguson, D.C. on August 29, 1998 at 17:14:00:
In Reply to: Re: calcium dosage posted by Nancy on August 29, 1998 at 16:37:52:
I can't think of any problems with it.
Best of fortune
Re: calcium dosage
Posted by Walt Stoll on August 30, 1998 at 09:54:25:
In Reply to: Re: calcium dosage posted by Nancy on August 29, 1998 at 16:41:42:
Hi, Nancy.
Yes, in most people, ESPECIALLY those over 40 years old.
Walt