Okay, for you research nuts, hopefully you know an answer to this question and can save me some reading time.
Tums, used for indigestion, is calcium carbonate. Reduces stomach acid (or rather neutralizes it). recommended limits so doesn't disrupt digestion.
Calcium supplement can be calcium carbonate. Can regular use of calcium supplements disrupt digestion? Or are the supplements in a harder form therefore not digesting until it passes the stomach?
As far as anyone can figure out, some of my continued muscle aches/tightness (they don't hurt nearly like they did before gf) might be from a calcium deficiency. I take 1 supplement each morning. And lately I've been having the indigestion again (which often comes with gluten ingestion although I'm not entirely sure where I'm going wrong there) so, I take the occasional tums as well.
Just wondering if any of you have come across any info related to this vague conversation I'm pondering with myself. I see my GP in a couple weeks and want to talk to her more about getting the muscle thing under control. Charley horses in the night suck.
Katy
General Calcium Question
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kate_ce1995
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1321
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- Location: Vermont
Hi Katy,
Research nuts?
Okay, here's my two cents worth:
First, note that Tums is highly recommended as a calcium supplement, (by GlaxoSmithKline, the makers of Tums). Here's what they say:
The short answer to your question is "yes".
http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~tfchan/
The above link leads to a research article that suggests that the digestive discomfort you are experiencing, may be due to the combination of the ingestion of calcium carbonate, and a carbonated, (or acidic), drink. You might find the information in the article useful.
The site referenced below, claims that when calcium carbonate-containing products are used to reduce the acidity in the stomach, there may be a rebound effect, which causes a greater than normal amount of acid to be produced after the initial acid-reducing effects of the calcium wear off, (though that probably is not an issue in your situation). Also note that the reduction of acid decreases the absorption of iron from the intestine, so therefore, doses of calcium and iron should be separated by a several hours.
The site also mentions that calcium products rarely cause an upset stomach, but points out that excessive intake or absorption of calcium may lead to increased levels of calcium in the blood, (known as hypercalcemia), which may cause nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, dry mouth and thirst. Severe hypercalcemia may cause confusion, delirium, stupor and coma. (Again, I don't think that this is relevant to your situation).
http://www.medicinenet.com/calcium_carb ... rticle.htm
I hope some of this is helpful.
Tex
P S I didn't see an ingredient list on the Tums site. You might check the ingredient list on the package, just to make sure that Tums does not contain gluten as a binder, and check the ingredient list for the calcium supplement you are taking. The problem is, pharmaceutical products are not required to list non-active ingredients, and I'm not sure that the new labeling law that went into effect in Jan., 2006, changed the status for gluten. You might have to call the manufacturers.
Research nuts?
Okay, here's my two cents worth:
First, note that Tums is highly recommended as a calcium supplement, (by GlaxoSmithKline, the makers of Tums). Here's what they say:
http://www.tums.com/faqs_supplementation.aspHow can TUMS® be both an antacid and a calcium supplement?
TUMS® contains calcium carbonate as an active ingredient. Calcium carbonate has the capacity to neutralize stomach acid, but it is also one of the most inexpensive and effective ways for individuals to receive adequate amounts of calcium each day. Indeed, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration recognizes and approves calcium carbonate as both an effective antacid and as a safe and reliable source of calcium.
The short answer to your question is "yes".
From:Numerous studies show that calcium carbonate is a base and it can neutralize the gastric juice (3). Due to the formation of calcium carbonate, less gastric acid is remained in stomach. This decrease of gastric acid can lead to the problem of poor digestion of food (4).
http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~tfchan/
The above link leads to a research article that suggests that the digestive discomfort you are experiencing, may be due to the combination of the ingestion of calcium carbonate, and a carbonated, (or acidic), drink. You might find the information in the article useful.
The site referenced below, claims that when calcium carbonate-containing products are used to reduce the acidity in the stomach, there may be a rebound effect, which causes a greater than normal amount of acid to be produced after the initial acid-reducing effects of the calcium wear off, (though that probably is not an issue in your situation). Also note that the reduction of acid decreases the absorption of iron from the intestine, so therefore, doses of calcium and iron should be separated by a several hours.
The site also mentions that calcium products rarely cause an upset stomach, but points out that excessive intake or absorption of calcium may lead to increased levels of calcium in the blood, (known as hypercalcemia), which may cause nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, dry mouth and thirst. Severe hypercalcemia may cause confusion, delirium, stupor and coma. (Again, I don't think that this is relevant to your situation).
http://www.medicinenet.com/calcium_carb ... rticle.htm
I hope some of this is helpful.
Tex
P S I didn't see an ingredient list on the Tums site. You might check the ingredient list on the package, just to make sure that Tums does not contain gluten as a binder, and check the ingredient list for the calcium supplement you are taking. The problem is, pharmaceutical products are not required to list non-active ingredients, and I'm not sure that the new labeling law that went into effect in Jan., 2006, changed the status for gluten. You might have to call the manufacturers.
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
If I were supplementing for Calcium I wouldn't use Tums, but I'd use something like Calcium Citrate. It is better absorbed by the body and doesn't contain other stuff that I think can be problematic.
If one were taking Calcium to help digestive issues, like those taking it who seem to have less D when they do, I'd supplement with some form of Calcium Carbonate, though I'm not sure I'd recommend Tums as again, it contains stuff our bodies don't always need.
Mike
If one were taking Calcium to help digestive issues, like those taking it who seem to have less D when they do, I'd supplement with some form of Calcium Carbonate, though I'm not sure I'd recommend Tums as again, it contains stuff our bodies don't always need.
Mike
Katy,
I really don't know about the calcium thing, but I do take calcium carbonate. I am fructose intolerant so no sweetened Tums for me. But what I do know and I am not sure how it happened but when I went on this ridiculous fructose free diet and I took fluconozole (not sure it did anything) I noticed the muscle aches have pretty much gone away. I am also taking a lot of vitamins and minerals since I am not getting fruits and vegetables right now. I take extra zinc and folic acid. I have not had the foot cramps that I had very regularly either. Hope you find a cure!
Pat
I really don't know about the calcium thing, but I do take calcium carbonate. I am fructose intolerant so no sweetened Tums for me. But what I do know and I am not sure how it happened but when I went on this ridiculous fructose free diet and I took fluconozole (not sure it did anything) I noticed the muscle aches have pretty much gone away. I am also taking a lot of vitamins and minerals since I am not getting fruits and vegetables right now. I take extra zinc and folic acid. I have not had the foot cramps that I had very regularly either. Hope you find a cure!
Pat
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MaggieRedwings
- King Penguin
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HI Katy,
This topic is very timely for me. When I had my nails done the other night there were white spots where I did not have them before and the manicurist said it was probably due to a calcium deficiency. I also have been having - including last night it was bad - severe leg and foot cramps and mostly at night for the last 6 to 8 weeks. I really don't get calcium but am going out at lunch today and get it, folic acid and some Milkweed Thistle for Frank.
I am not a Tums person so will go with the supplement.
Hope you get relief and we will both see how well the calcium works.
Love, Maggie
This topic is very timely for me. When I had my nails done the other night there were white spots where I did not have them before and the manicurist said it was probably due to a calcium deficiency. I also have been having - including last night it was bad - severe leg and foot cramps and mostly at night for the last 6 to 8 weeks. I really don't get calcium but am going out at lunch today and get it, folic acid and some Milkweed Thistle for Frank.
I am not a Tums person so will go with the supplement.
Hope you get relief and we will both see how well the calcium works.
Love, Maggie
Maggie Scarpone
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Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
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Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
Ok guys-
I take 3 calcium citrates a day one with each meal which seems to ease my stomach and keeps the D away. At first it started to cause more gas than usual but it generall subsided.
The main ingredient is calcium carbonate and contains modified food starch (corn) and the manufacturer said it is gluten and dairy free.
I take so much calcium b/c I cant eat any dairy. Am I taking too much? Could I be causing more harm than good here?
I take 3 calcium citrates a day one with each meal which seems to ease my stomach and keeps the D away. At first it started to cause more gas than usual but it generall subsided.
The main ingredient is calcium carbonate and contains modified food starch (corn) and the manufacturer said it is gluten and dairy free.
I take so much calcium b/c I cant eat any dairy. Am I taking too much? Could I be causing more harm than good here?
Dr Fine test shows positive for gluten and casien but negative for soy, eggs, and yeast
Maybe its UC maybe its MC? Who knows at this point, but at least I know my intollerances now... so heres to the road to healing!
Maybe its UC maybe its MC? Who knows at this point, but at least I know my intollerances now... so heres to the road to healing!
Andrew,
Good question. Taking excessive amounts of calcium supplements is not without risk. Probably the most well known risk is an increased risk of developing kidney stones, which are commonly formed from calcium oxalate crystals. However, note that studies have found that increased intake of calcium from food, actually reduces the risk of kidney stones, (while calcium supplements appear to increase the risk).
For men, high calcium intake appears to be significantly linked with increased odds of developing advanced prostate cancer. Fructose, on the other hand, seems to be protective of prostate cancer. Here's a reference on that:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/conte ... factor.asp
Tex
Good question. Taking excessive amounts of calcium supplements is not without risk. Probably the most well known risk is an increased risk of developing kidney stones, which are commonly formed from calcium oxalate crystals. However, note that studies have found that increased intake of calcium from food, actually reduces the risk of kidney stones, (while calcium supplements appear to increase the risk).
For men, high calcium intake appears to be significantly linked with increased odds of developing advanced prostate cancer. Fructose, on the other hand, seems to be protective of prostate cancer. Here's a reference on that:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/conte ... factor.asp
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
But how high is too high? I think I take around 200% of the recomended daily value???
Kidney stones... heard of them but I would be more cocerned about the prostate cancer... and fructose helping to prevent it? I think people with UC, MC, Celiac etc who try and get by using natural products could actually be hurting themselves?? And I dont eat/drink a lot of fructose as it seems to make my tummy rumble.
It seems like everything has two sides to it and usually one of them causes cancer... I think it is the product of 100s of years of not taing care of the place we live. As much as we would like to say we are "advanced" and better for it, could we actually be worse off??? Geeze you can tell it is a monday
Kidney stones... heard of them but I would be more cocerned about the prostate cancer... and fructose helping to prevent it? I think people with UC, MC, Celiac etc who try and get by using natural products could actually be hurting themselves?? And I dont eat/drink a lot of fructose as it seems to make my tummy rumble.
It seems like everything has two sides to it and usually one of them causes cancer... I think it is the product of 100s of years of not taing care of the place we live. As much as we would like to say we are "advanced" and better for it, could we actually be worse off??? Geeze you can tell it is a monday
Dr Fine test shows positive for gluten and casien but negative for soy, eggs, and yeast
Maybe its UC maybe its MC? Who knows at this point, but at least I know my intollerances now... so heres to the road to healing!
Maybe its UC maybe its MC? Who knows at this point, but at least I know my intollerances now... so heres to the road to healing!
The RDA is usually listed at 1,000 mg. The study in the reference I listed showed:
Well, I kind of agree with you about the risks of "natural" supplements. There's some question about whether or not they're any safer than any other drug - especially since they aren't regulated by the FDA. Fructose is found in fruit, of course, and in corn syrup. From that viewpoint, anytime you drink a soft drink sweetened with HFCS, you're getting a "cancer-preventing" treatment to ward off prostate cancer. (If only it were that simple).
Yep, it's a Monday, all right. I'm having a hard time getting anything accomplished, also.
Tex
This study was done over nine years ago. I haven't heard anything about the risk, otherwise, so I don't if there have been any studies to support it, or to refute it. That was a huge study group, though, with 47,781 subjects.Men getting the most calcium, double the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of 1,000 milligrams or more per day, had nearly three times the rate of advanced prostate cancer and almost five times the risk risk for metastatic prostate cancer than those who took in less than half the RDA.
Well, I kind of agree with you about the risks of "natural" supplements. There's some question about whether or not they're any safer than any other drug - especially since they aren't regulated by the FDA. Fructose is found in fruit, of course, and in corn syrup. From that viewpoint, anytime you drink a soft drink sweetened with HFCS, you're getting a "cancer-preventing" treatment to ward off prostate cancer. (If only it were that simple).
Yep, it's a Monday, all right. I'm having a hard time getting anything accomplished, also.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.