Are calcium tablets necessary for a 40+ year old that

[Faith]

also takes a multi vitamin and consumes plenty of dairy products?

[Jean in Newcastle]

Male or female? How much calcium do the vitamins have? I take extra calcium but I have "restless leg syndrome" - cramping in my muscles that is relieved by calcium.

[Claire]

I would say yes.

I'm pretty sure that the calcium in dairy products is not easily absorbed by the body plus there is a lot of controversy about it, with some people saying that the form in which it is delivered actually causes the body to lose calcium. From my own personal experience, I think that dairy products do have value. I spent seven years in a developing country where milk products were unavailable, and my teeth started crumbling. When I came back to this country and resumed eating dairy, my teeth stopped disintegrating. However, I now have osteopenia. Clearly the dairy products were not enough to prevent that! I'm pretty sure that the osteopenia has not progressed much since I added a calcium/magnesium/vitamin D supplement.

Calcium citrate is the form that is most easily absorbed by the body, so that is the type of supplement I use. Magnesium and vitamin D are essential to absorption of calcium, so I take those too. It's easier for me to just get a supplement that has all three.

[Wendi]

Maybe you drink enough milk, but to be safe, I'd recommend taking a separate calcium supplement. (I take a calcium/magnesium supplement along with a multivitamin.)

Wendi

[Faith]

Female and the vitamins have 450 mg. TIA

[Michelle T]

I take an extra dose of calcium/zinc/magnesium, along with multi vitamin. My grandmother had very severe osteoporosis, and my mother is going that same route. I want to be sure to provide all the calcium my bones can use to try and prevent the painful, slow deterioration of the spine that my grandmother suffered through.
Michelle T

[JudoMom]

decide to add in a supplement, you'll want to take it with Magnesium.

Since we're sick, I watched Dr. Oz on Oprah today. Turns out if you take calcium by itself, you'll get constipated. Magnesium relieves that.

FWIW, he did say women needed Calcium/Magnesium, vitamin D, Omega 3s with DHA, and a multivitamin (with iron if you're pre-menopausal).

[Sharon H in IL]

I'm 46. My general practitioner suggested I begin taking 1600 mg calcium daily. He said it was nearly impossible to get enough through diet. So I swallow the big Citrical with Magnesium and vitamin D pills, two every morning.

It feels odd taking pills for something when I feel absolutely no change in my body one way or another. I'm taking my doctor's advice, though. Women in my family have a history of osteoporosis.

[Faith]

I meant to watch that show today, but forgot. UGH!

There is magnesium in the multi vitamin so I wonder if that will do. ? I'll add back the additional calcium w/ vitamin D.

[Karen sn]

The calcium in milk is bound to the protein and only a cow's 4 chambered stomach can digest it properly. Osteoperosis is not a calcium deficiency - its actually the result of too much protein....or so I've heard from people I trust.

Enzymatic Therapy makes an excellent mineral blend "Kreb Cycle Chelates" - which is the reason I still have hair. My doc said I was loosing it due to a mineral deficiency and he said to take 2 a day. I love him.

You don't really need as much calcium as you think - you need the other minerals (and trace minerals) that work together and make the calcium assimilate.

Whatever you do - stay away from calcium carbonate.