TUMS lowers your rate of absorbing calcium

Ok, now tums lowers the amount of stomach acid in your system...You need that acid to absorb calcium ladies...I work for a Docter

JLynn:

Ok, now tums lowers the amount of stomach acid in your system...You need that acid to absorb calcium ladies...I work for a Docter

from what I have read it lowers acid but not to that level that you wouldn't absorb calcium anymore.. if you make sure you are having enough vitamine D in your diet it isn't an issue.. you don't absorb most of your vitamins in your stomach but in your intestines..

well, I understand the small intestines is where you absorb vitamins , I am an RD. , but some people just take tums for thier calcium..

JLynn:

well, I understand the small intestines is where you absorb vitamins , I am an RD. , but some people just take tums for there calcium..

which is fine.. you will still absorb most of the calcium from the tums in the intestines.. it wont all be lost.. I took tums while TTC my dd.. Of course you do not take it instead of your Calcium pills or your diary intake.. it should also not be taken every day... but once every few days if fine and can help with your calcium intake.

I will tell my Medical Doctor that...he's the one that said, tums blocks calcium, absorbtion

if you have tums now and then with a meal it does help with the absorbtion.. tums also has aspartame which sways for girls.

I would not recommend ( saying this again because tums CAN HURT YOU and I do not want to be sitting here looking like I am pushing tums because I am not.. ) to take tums daily or as a replacement for Calcium supplements or naturally calcium in foods..

I have never heard of Tums blocking completely the absorbtion of Calcium..

 Here's some info. that you might be interested in as far as the efficacy of TUMS as a calcium supplement:

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA400065

And while this site is sponsored by GSK, I suspect that it's correct in that TUMS and Os-Cal are two of the most highly DOCTOR recommended supplements for calcium:

http://www.calciuminfo.com/about/supplements.aspx

girls2mama:

 Here's some info. that you might be interested in as far as the efficacy of TUMS as a calcium supplement:

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA400065

And while this site is sponsored by GSK, I suspect that it's correct in that TUMS and Os-Cal are two of the most highly DOCTOR recommended supplements for calcium:

http://www.calciuminfo.com/about/supplements.aspx

I completely agree with the link above.. citrate is way easier to absorb.. I do still see a good reason to take them ( now and then ) while ttc a girl..

you do still get some calcium from them and you do get aspartame from them.

I found the girl diet did give me acid reflux a lot..( it was nice to reach for tums which is a + in TTC a girl.

** but again.. Tums should not be taking instead of your supplements or your diet intake. ( gosh I always feel I NEED to include this in EVERY post lol..

Tums is Calcium Carbonate, the most efficiently absorbed form of calcium.

Because TUMS has a dual usage — as both an antacid and as a calcium supplement — the label includes the actual amount of calcium carbonate (for those who use the product as an antacid) and the elemental calcium (the amount of calcium that your body is actually able to use). For those who use TUMS as a calcium supplement, the amount of calcium under Supplement Facts is the amount of elemental calcium contained in the calcium carbonate.

While it is correct that Vitamin D helps with calcium absorption, it is not necessary to consume Vitamin D and calcium simultaneously to receive the calcium benefits. It is important, however, that your body has an adequate level of Vitamin D.

The human body converts sunlight exposure to Vitamin D, and for those who don't get much exposure, there are other sources, such as Vitamin D-fortified foods including milk. For the average adult, these sources of Vitamin D provide sufficient levels of this nutrient for the body's use in absorbing calcium. If you have concerns about whether you are indeed getting enough Vitamin D, we urge you to speak with your physician.

Do not take more than 2 tablets in a 24 hour period.

Tums Dual Action (completely different than regular tums) can not be taken as a calcium supplement. Even though TUMS Dual Action contains 800mg of calcium carbonate, you shouldn't take multiple tablets. TUMS Dual Action should only be taken to reduce heartburn.

http://www.empr.com/nutrition/vitaminsmineralssupplements/tums/drug/5988/

http://www.tums.com/faq_tums.aspx#ingredient

thank you for your reply, what are you doing for your sway?

Tryin4Pink:

Tums is Calcium Carbonate, the most efficiently absorbed form of calcium.

I am so confused with this statement. everywhere I have read is that citrate was more easily absorbed by the body.

did a quick search to see if i was completely off my rocker thinking this .. found this

http://www.healthcastle.com/calciumcarbonate-calciumcitrate.shtml

I am starting to think it depends on the person taking it? lol

I know when I asked my pharmacist he pointed me towards citrate.. but told me it was more expensive then Carbonate and in the end the different wasn't a GREAT deal.

Ok, so I think I got it based on the website you posted.

First, when purchasing calcium supplements, ensure to look for the elemental calcium content, not the total content. For instance, a supplement containing 500mg of Calcium Carbonate provides 200mg of elemental calcium. Hence this pill in this example only provides 200mg of calcium, not 500mg.

Calcium is best absorbed in an acidic environment, hence calcium citrate is the best absorbed supplemental form of calcium. It does not require extra stomach acid for absorption, hence we may take it anytime in a day, even on an empty stomach.

Calcium Carbonate is alkaline based, it requires extra stomach acid for better absorption, hence it is best taken right after meals or with a glass of acidic juice such as orange juice.

Calcium Carbonate is the most prevalent calcium supplements in the market . It provides more elemental calcium than Calcium Citrate hence you may not need take as many pills.

I think either will work.  If you have heartburn, or don't mind drinking some juice, pop, etc. with the pill, then go ahead and take the Tums.  Otherwise, you can take the calcium citrate.

I am doing a 2 - 2 1/2 day cut-off, while keeping pH low (which amazingly mine is low regularly), but if I need extra help, then I am using a fingertip of Rephresh every couple of days.  Also, using 3 ml lime/distilled water mix 1 hour before BD, and 1 - 1 1/2 ml of lime/distilled water mix 5 - 10 minutes afterward.  Haven't needed to use anything else after this, as my pH has stayed below 5 for days.  I have been checking quite often though just to make sure.  I am taking cranberry, baby aspirin, multivitamin, folic acid, and cutting out a lot from my diet - like red meat.  I drink milk every morning, and don't eat much in the evenings.  Our last day to BD was Wednesday (CD15) and I got a +OPK last night (CD16), so should ovulate tonight or tomorrow morning for a 2 - 2 1/2 day cutoff.  I have 29 day cycles, and this was our first month trying.

When I was PG with my boys I was told by my OB to take TUMS.  He said I could take it everyday.  I didn't because I don't like eating them, but I did take them occasionaly.

Well, my midwives told me I could take regular tums up to 5 a day for acid reflux right after meals. No mention was made of calcium absorbtion, they jsut said to not take it at the same time as my iron pill or prenatals, as the extra calcium can block iron absorbtion. No mention of calcium issues!

NikiLyn:

When I was PG with my boys I was told by my OB to take TUMS.  He said I could take it everyday.  I didn't because I don't like eating them, but I did take them occasionaly.

I worry about taking it too often ( more then maybe one a day).. I have read that it can cause acid-reflux and or make it worse depending on the person.. I know I am just a worry wart!! lol

I am sure it is fine to take daily ( even prob. more then once a day ) .. as long as you do not notice any big changes in your acid-reflux or an increase in it. I would consult a doctor afterwards instead of up'ing how much and more you take of tums..