Conference turris::womannotes-v1

681.0. "Calcium suppliments/Osteoporosis" by CIRCUS::KOLLING (Karen, Sweetie, Holly; in Calif.) Wed Jan 27 1988 15:04

     This morning's NY Times carried an article of calcium suppliments.
     Apparently a lot are useless because they aren't absorbed by the body.
     They listed a whole bunch that had been tested.  I remember Tums as being
     100% effective, and a wide variation among brand names between different
     products -- i.e., some of Safeway and KMart were 100% absorbable, some
     were nearly totally useless.  Here's a handy test they said you could do
     at home:  drop a tablet into 3/4 cup of room-temperature vinegar and then
     wait 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.  The tablet should completely
     dissolve to be worthwhile.  I tried it on two kinds I had on hand:
     CalSup from 3M dissolved completely.  Nature's Blend Calcium OysterShell
     didn't dissolve at all.

     If anyone wants to ask me a question, please use email and I'll come
     back in and post a reply, as I don't normally read this file.

    Fascinating.  I have been ordered to have about 1500 mg (or whatever)
    of calcium a day for the baby and to stop my leg cramps.  They (over
    time) did stop the cramps, but I have been using Oystershell, which
    my doctor said was the best on the stomach.  It may be the same
    brand as you mentioned, also.  I'll try that test.

              Thanks,    
                      Carol

    Would it be appropriate to use this note for discussion of the entire
    osteoporosis issue? Or is there one already existant and is there
    any interest?
                 
                                                   
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    Well there is one on ageing and one on menopause but sure...this
    would be a good place to talka about osteoporosis.
    
    Bonnie