posted 07-08-2003 07:32 PM            

About 2 years ago I started taking Caltrate 600 plus for irritable bowel. I was having bad diarhea after eating (all the time for 7 years!) and someone on the IBS board suggested I take that. Boy has that been a life saver!!!!! Anyway, so I take my multi-vitamin in the morning that has calcium in it, plus a caltrate pill, plus I take a caltrate at night after dinner. If we go out to dinner I usually take an extra one, just because eating out upsets my stomach. Is this too much calcium? I don't want to cut down because I am afraid the IBS will return. Are there any side effects from taking too much calcium?

And here is one reply with my reply to her reply:

quote:
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Originally posted by dea4:
Are any of you taking magnesium? with that amount of calcium you really need to be taking magnesium also. Calcium and magnesium should be taken in equal ratios.
Too much calcium without magnesium may lead to migrains, cateracts, hypertention, kidney stones, calcified arteries and heart valves and sudden death heart attack, so be sure you get magnesium as well.
The best most absorbable magnesium is magnesium citrate.
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Well that was a scary post!! I am home now and I have my bottles in front of me.

Multi-vitamin (I take once a day)

450 mg calcium
50 mg magnesium

Caltrate 600 plus (I take 2x a day)

600 mg calcium
40 mg magnesium

so this means daily I take in 1650 mg of calcium and only 90 mg of magnesium, so this means I should buy some magnesium citrate and take about 1560 mg of this daily?

Thanks

posted 07-15-2003 07:54 PM            

Also is magnesium w/ chelated zinc the same as Magnesium Citrate? I looked in Walmart for it and couldn't find it with Citrate on it...

I haven't started taking it yet.....but I will if someone else agrees with this post, or knows where I could find my answer....

posted 07-23-2003 09:57 AM            

This information if readily avaliable if you use a search engine....

From various sites :

"Toxicity: Symptoms of calcium toxicity are largely anecdotal. Excess calcium supplementation has been associated with some mineral imbalances such as zinc."

"High intake of dietary calcium appears to decrease risk for symptomatic kidney stones, whereas intake of supplemental calcium may increase risk."

"Citrate-containing compounds augment absorption of aluminum from food and tap water, causing aluminum accumulation in bone and brain despite normal renal function. Citrate also enhances lead absorption in animals. During calcium citrate therapy, urinary aluminum excretion and plasma aluminum level increased significantly. Treatment with calcium citrate significantly increases absorption of aluminum from dietary sources.
- South Med J 1994 Sep;87(9):894-8 -- Aluminum and lead absorption from dietary sources in women ingesting calcium citrate. -- Nolan CR, DeGoes JJ, Alfrey AC. "

posted 07-24-2003 08:56 PM            

However, since you are prone to diarhea, I would be careful with the Magnesium, as it acts to promote activity in your intestine, which can lead to diarhea. Magnesium is often recommended to people who have Irritable Bowel with constipation. If you have found something that is working for you, I think you should stick with it.

However, you do need to take Vitamin D with Calcium in order for the calcium to be absorbed. Also, one of the reponders said they think that iron made there diarhea worse - but iron is also quite constipating. Most people will complain that their stools become quite hard and dark brown/blackish when on iron therapy.

posted 07-25-2003 08:50 AM            

To really make your intestines function properly --- it takes fiber. There is NO fiber in all meat or dairy products. So, you have to eat veggies and fruits. Fiber like psyllium will work for diarrhea as well as constipation. It is water absorbable and it is a bowel regulator. It also acts as a cleaning agent so digested food particles move through the intestines ----leaving no residue that can later cause cancer.

Calcium (+ magnesium) that you need for all sorts of bodily functions--- relaxes lots of organs and makes them function properly. Vitamin D help absorption to prevent osteoporis.

Harry

posted 07-27-2003 07:47 AM            

Prema

posted 08-28-2003 09:23 AM            

What you should know about Caltrate 600 Plus...

Caltrate 600 Plus contains the most concentrated form of calcium you can buy. Each tablet provides more calcium for your bones than any leading brand.*
Caltrate 600 Plus also contains these six additional fortifying nutrients essential for healthy bone formation:*
Vitamin D - To help increase calcium absorption
Magnesium - Important for maintaining strong bones*
Zinc, Copper Manganese - Essential for skeletal development*
Boron - Helps the body utilize calcium
Caltrate 600 Plus can be taken with your multivitamin.
Tablet shape has been specially designed for easier swallowing.
Caltrate 600 Plus may reduce the risk of osteoporosis no matter what your age. No matter when you start, "It's Never Too Late for Caltrate.®"

I also take a multi-vitamin

soooooooooooooooo

since Caltrate has vitamin D and Magnesium in it, I should be all set and not need to add these two into my routine right??

thanks

btw, I just turned 29!! And I if I DON'T take this I have constant diarhea.

posted 08-28-2003 02:28 PM            

What type of Calcium is Caltrate?

Peregrine

posted 08-28-2003 07:13 PM            

[This message has been edited by Trishka (edited 08-28-2003).]