What is the best way to take calcium? I am confused with all the info. Dairy? calcium to magnesium?

10/08/08

marye

Topics:Osteoporosis , Osteoporosis Diet calcium intake

I have been taking calcium with vitamin D and magnesium. The ratio for magnesium is the recommended one: 2:1. I recently was told by a nurse that I should not have any magnesium with my calcium (most supplements seem to have it). I have been on Actonel/Fosomax for about four years and am concerned with the possibility of brittle bones. I have been active throughout my life and have engaged in very intense weight-bearing exercise for the past 18 months. I hav strong bones everywhere except in my spine: T-score -2.6. I have made no improvement in the last year. I just turned 60, weigh 130 and am 5'3" tall, Norwegian heritage so I am thin-skinned and rather slight. There is a history of bone loss in my family. What are the chances my bones processes have shut down and osteoblasts have quit. Ha! Thanks for any help.

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Answers (2)

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Pam Flores

Hi marye: You are correct on the ratio of calcium to magnesium, and frankly I've never heard that you can't take the two together, but that makes me wonder if your nurse knows something I don't; are you taking any meds that shouldn't be taken with magnesium? I would go back to the Dr and Nurse and ask specifically what they are referring to. Many multiple vitamins and calcium tabs contain magnesium so I'm confused from her statement. If you could get more info that would probably explain the issue. Your exercise routine sounds great so as long as you can keep that up that should help a lot. As far as the brittle bone issue goes, here is an article from the New York Times that explains it, and really how rare it is considering the stats on it. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/15/health/15well.html?_r=1&ex=1216785600&en=02dd6c110b1febbe&ei=5070&emc=eta1&oref=slogin I my opinion I don't think your osteoblasts have stopped working completely, but wonder why you might think they have. Good Luck, sorry if I couldn't give you a difinitive answer.

Thank you for your input
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Thursday, October 09, 2008

Pam Flores

Hi Again Marye: Sorry I don't know what happened to the above link I posted, so here it is again from the New York Times. You've obviously read about this topic, so take what you've learned, and what your Dr says and try to reach the best possible solution using risk versus benefit on all medication decisions.

Take Care...