Why Calcium Citrate?

[D618]

Hi all,
When I was getting prepared for my surgery I was trying to stock up on my vitamins and things, so I was in a hurry and didn't pay attention to the calcium I bought. I bought the calcium citrate caramel chews, and after I had opened them, I realized my mistake. Why do sleeve patients need to take calcium citrate, versus carbonate? Will carbonate still be beneficial?
From looking around, it looks like Calcium citrate chews are only available from Bariatric sites, like Bariatric Advantage. And they are quite pricey. Do you know of any local stores that sell them for cheaper?
I'm also able to swallow pills, so can I switch to a Calcium Citrate pill now? Those are a lot cheaper!
Thanks for your advice on this.

[Gvn71]

I shop on Amazon and find them cheaper than most stores. I don't remember why one vs. the other, but it was an important difference.

[sraebaer]

Not sure why, but I was also told Calcium Citrate only. I used to buy the expensive chewables online, but now I just get the generics from Walmart.

I still take the bariatric vitamins after my nutritionist couldn't believe I switched to a regular multi-vitamin. She told me the regular ones don't have the extra stuff I need like iron.

Here's what I found online:

Calcium Citrate

Your body can best absorb calcium in an acidic environment, and because calcium citrate is an acidic molecule, it doesn't need stomach acids for easy absorption. Registered Dietician Gloria Tsang advises that if you have low levels of stomach acid, your body will more easily break down and use calcium from calcium citrate. However, this supplement form typically contains less elemental calcium per pill than calcium carbonate, and so you may need to take an increased dose. Additionally, if you suffer from excess stomach acid, calcium citrate can worsen your symptoms.

Calcium Carbonate

Likely, you likely have a bottle of calcium carbonate in your cupboard; this form of calcium if found in many common brands of anti-acid tablets. Unlike calcium citrate, calcium carbonate is alkaline and requires extra stomach acid to digest and absorb it. Tsang recommends that you take it immediately after a meal or with a glass of orange juice. Remember that calcium carbonate gives you more elemental calcium per pill than calcium citrate, and so you may not need to take more than one pill or tablet at a time.

[D618]

Hi there,
You said you get the generic at Walmart... Do you mean the Calcium Citrate in a pill form? I didn't see any Calcium Citrate in a chewable at Walmart the other day. Thanks for clarifying And thanks for the article below!

Not sure why, but I was also told Calcium Citrate only. I used to buy the expensive chewables online, but now I just get the generics from Walmart.

I still take the bariatric vitamins after my nutritionist couldn't believe I switched to a regular multi-vitamin. She told me the regular ones don't have the extra stuff I need like iron.

Here's what I found online:

Calcium Citrate

Your body can best absorb calcium in an acidic environment, and because calcium citrate is an acidic molecule, it doesn't need stomach acids for easy absorption. Registered Dietician Gloria Tsang advises that if you have low levels of stomach acid, your body will more easily break down and use calcium from calcium citrate. However, this supplement form typically contains less elemental calcium per pill than calcium carbonate, and so you may need to take an increased dose. Additionally, if you suffer from excess stomach acid, calcium citrate can worsen your symptoms.

Calcium Carbonate

Likely, you likely have a bottle of calcium carbonate in your cupboard; this form of calcium if found in many common brands of anti-acid tablets. Unlike calcium citrate, calcium carbonate is alkaline and requires extra stomach acid to digest and absorb it. Tsang recommends that you take it immediately after a meal or with a glass of orange juice. Remember that calcium carbonate gives you more elemental calcium per pill than calcium citrate, and so you may not need to take more than one pill or tablet at a time.

[Donald G]

Hi because the reduced size of your stomach your body can't break down carbonate as quickly as it can citrate so you do not get the full effect of the calcium by doing carbonate versus citrate. For by pass patients its far worse then sleeve patients but the effects are still there.

[sraebaer]

Hi there,
You said you get the generic at Walmart... Do you mean the Calcium Citrate in a pill form? I didn't see any Calcium Citrate in a chewable at Walmart the other day. Thanks for clarifying And thanks for the article below!

Yes, I get it in pill form. I'm over three years from surgery and don't have any problems with big pills anymore. Before that I used the Building Blocks orange flavored chewable, it was yummy! (Tasted like candy). Ordered it online.

[Linda51]

I take the Wellese liquid Calcium Citrate and I get it online at Amazon. I have seen the same thing at Walmart, so if you're interested in a liquid form, try Walmart or Amazon.

[Christie13]

Calcium Citrate is easier for us to absorb after being sleeved according to the research I have done.
I tried to put the link up but it would not work.