Harry,

I have visited the IBS board numerous times over the past few years and have found the info submitted by you and others to be quite helpful. Many seem to recommend Caltrate calcium for IBS. Osteoporosis is now a concern of mine. I may be mistaken, Harry, and if so I apologize, but I was thinking at one time you mentioned that your wife has osteoporosis and is using a certain type of calcium and following a particular regimen that has allowed her to see some good improvement in her bone density scores. If I am right and this is the case, if you wouldn't mind sharing that info again, I would GREATLY appreciate it. Need help--not sure I am ready to go with the drugs that all the doctors seem to recommend these days, especially with all of the nasty side effects being reported. Always nice to go natural if you can. Appreciate any help you can give. Thanks! Esie

I'm not Harry, but I do know that Calcium Carbonate (common brand name Caltrate), works quite well for IBS-diarrhea. It's not as absorbable as other forms of calcium.

You may want to look into Calcium Citrate which is more absorbable than Calcium Carbonate; however, it's not as effective at treating the diarrhea for this very reason.

Make sure to stay away from too much magnesium; it can worsen the diarrhea. If you HAVE to have the magensium, make sure there is a 2:1 ratio of calcium to magnesium.

I agree with the above poster. It helped me with my IBS-D. You want the pink bottle. I felt like a new pweson when taking this. I was taking one pill daily. A word of caution........I think this contributed to my GRED that I have been suffering from since FEb. I have stopped all calcium now and I am upset because I need this for my osperina.

Good luck what ever u decied to do.

Tlily

Esie,
Sorry I missed your post.
My wife has osteo-arthritis -- not Osteoporosis and not IBS.

I have found that the best calcium to absorb is the chelated type that is patented by Albion Labs-- look it up-- it's sold and distributed by a number of manufacturers. It will reference Albion Labs on thier bottle.

The minerals including calcium is attached/ bonded to an protein amino acid (glycinate & lysine) that is readily absorbed.

We both use minerals daily-- the ones are -- Solgar, Doctor's Best, Kal and Carlson minerals.

To absorb calcium you also need to take magensium as well as vitamin D. Also, it's best to take the calcium & magnesium supplements in divided doses -- 3 or 4 times daily so you get better absorption.
If you take it once daily -- you will absorb less than 10% --- taking it 3 or 4 time daily the absorption goes up to 35 to 40%.

As you may know bone density measurements is a comparitive measurement and not an absolute number but my wife had the bone density of a 40 year old when she was measured at 65yo -- 4 years ago.

I wish you well~~~Harry