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• March 3, 2012 2:56 p.m.

  I am 66 years old, and have taken calcium supplements off and on for over 10 years. I have taken them alone, or with Vitamin D, with Magnesium, and other recommended supplements. I have experimented with different brands of calcium, and have taken various doses. In EVERY case, after a couple of weeks of taking calcium, I have developed a very uncomfortable ache in my lower back. I have asked pharmacists, health food professionals, and my own doctors, and no one has been able to help me. They have 'never heard of this before' and don't know what to tell me. They all say that I should be taking calcium. I am wondering if the back ache is because the bone is thickening (I apparently have a slight thinning of the spine), or is there some other reason for the pain. Should I continue to take calcium, and take pain relievers as well? Once I stop taking calcium, the pain tends to last three or four weeks or more, and is always present, whether I am active, or sleeping. Walking sometimes helps. Pain relievers help too, most times.

  - Sharon

• September 14, 2011 8:47 p.m.

  I would like to know which calcium supplement is the most absorbent and one that won't cause constipation?

  - Jennifer

• June 20, 2011 4:40 a.m.

  Does anyone know of any health conditions (apart from lack of enough vit D) which prevents the body from taking up enough calcium? I've just had bloods done which show low calcium levels, but thought that I was getting enough of both. I eat cottage daily, and even hard cheese some days. Both soya milk and soya spread which I consume have vit D and calicum added. I'm mystified.

  - caroline

• June 18, 2011 3:58 p.m.

  Calcium Aspartate ANHYDROUS has been advertised as having a much higher absorption rate than other calcium supplements (as much as 92 percent). The only clinical trials have been done in China in 2000 by I.F. Tang, Ph.D. What do you know about this supplement? Can it have any serious side effects? My bones are getting thinner even though I have been taking Actonel and 1200 mg. of calcium and 1,000 mg. of Vit. D for quite a few years. I am 82 years old. My endocrinologist has urged me to stop taking Bisphosphonates and start taking yearly shots of either one of two new drugs. I don't want to take the shots as they have side effects and are exorbitantly expensive. Could any harm come from trying the Calcium Apartate ANHYDROUS from Ezorb? Thank you for your help.

  - Doris

• March 9, 2011 9:44 a.m.

  Chances are the calcium supplement you are taking now is a rock source of calcium. The label will say "calcium carbonate", which is nothing more than limestone.

  - James

• October 15, 2010 8:35 a.m.

  In the end, one doesn't know what to do any more. I have mild osteoporosis but have already had spinal fractures; probably the result of having to take cortisone for polmyalgia. I have been taking 1000 mg calcium plus vitamin D for about one year. Until a year ago I had atrial fibrillation which was stopped by an electric choc. Ever since I have been fine. Should I stop my calcium treatment?

  - Dorothy

• September 25, 2010 10:14 a.m.

  I started taking 1200 mg calcium with vitamin D about a year ago and have since developed an arrhythmia. Because of this study, I have reduced my intake of calcium citrate by half and am including more calcium rich foods in my diet and exercise to help combat my osteopenia.

  - Karen

• September 1, 2010 4:38 p.m.

  Can someone talk to me about the difference between say, Coral Calcium, Brazil Coral Calcium & Calcium citrate? Also, powdered magnesium you stir in warm water and injest called Natural Calm - what are the most effective ways to prevent bone loss & fractures. I am 59 & highly stress - I have 2 parent in the nursing home 100 miles from me & a husband that just lost a kidney to a stage 3 tumor, but not other organs involved. Test show I've experienced severe bone loss. Thanks for any help you can give me.

  - Jane

• August 31, 2010 4:19 p.m.

  Thanks for your comments on this topic. Your points are well taken. Although calcium, vitamin D and exercise are all important, other factors affect our bone health as well. The human body strives to keep nutrients in balance. Having too little or too much of one can cause problems. Excessive intake of protein, phosphorous and sodium can impact the bones by disrupting the balance. An example may be someone who drinks excessive amounts of cola-type soda and doesn't eat a calcium-rich diet. This high intake of phosphorus might cause the body to pull calcium from the bones to adjust the calcium level in the blood. There are also medical conditions that influence how the body uses nutrients. So for some people supplements may be essential, while for others supplements may be detrimental. Similarly, individuals vary in their ability to tolerate foods. This is what makes nutrition an ever-changing challenge for dietitians and others!

  - Katherine, one of your blog hosts

• August 26, 2010 10:01 p.m.

  There are new studies coming out all the time and the next week an article will come out contracting the info so it's hard to know what to believe. I listen to my doctor and go by her orders. You can go broke buying everything that we're told is good for us. Health stores do a booming business.

  - Ferne

• August 25, 2010 3:39 p.m.

  If you read through the entire study, the only folks that ended up with increased risk for heart events were those who took calcium supplments WITHOUT an adaquate intake of vitamin D. Probably vitamin K and magenesium were omitted to (just my guess). To get calicum across the intestinal wall and into the bones, our body needs complmenting nutirients. Ideally we would get our calicum from fat free or low fat dairy products, without added sugars. However getting enough vitamin D might be quite a different story. So getting a vitamin D blood test first, supplementing to get blood levels into the normal range, and then taking calicum supplments with vitamin D, magesium and vitamin K may be the way to go for most of us.

  - Mary RD

• August 25, 2010 8:38 a.m.

  I think it is also important to know that all calcium is not created equally. Calcium Carboinate is not well absorbed and and can cause side effects if taken incorrectly. Please consult a specialist about the type of calcium that is best for you.

  - Dr. Scott

• August 25, 2010 7:06 a.m.

  After posting my comments, I read those of Frances who suggests that milk products are not the answer. I have heard this from other sources and it is most confusing as to what to do. Is there any clarification on this issue?

  - Lynn

• August 25, 2010 7:01 a.m.

  After hearing about the possibility of heart attack and calcium intake I have cut back on my supplements. The study did not apply to calcium and vitamin D, which is my supplement, but to be on the safe side I cut back to one 600 calcium with 400 D, and have concentrated on getting the extra calcium through food,yogurt, cheese, etc. I am also taking 1600 D per day.

  - Lynn

• August 24, 2010 5:44 p.m.

  Just because the recent study used one subset of people does not mean the results do not apply to others. I have always questioned my doctor on why he wants me to take calcium at age 75. Everyone seems to be asking the wrong questions. Studies show that people in countries who consume the most dairy produts have the highest fracture rate while those in countries consuming the lowest amount of dairy have the lowest fracture rates. The crucial factor is not the amount of dietary calcium, but the amount of calcium pulled from the bones and excreted. Excess salt, coffee, animal protein and dairy produce acid that must be buffered by pulling calcium from bones. When these foods are eliminated or reduced to a minimum, then calcium from vegetable sources such as dark leaf greens supply sufficient calcium. I was lucky to find a doctor who understood this and took the time to educate me. Milk and calcium supplements are unnecessary and, as the recent study pointed out, dangerous to your health. Meat eating ADA members who want us to eat from the dairy and meat group because that is how they were trained will never tell you the truth.

  - Frances

• August 23, 2010 9:10 a.m.

  3 months after I started taking large amounts of calcium supplements, I developed arrhythmia and migraines. I reduced the amount of supplements, and added vitamin D & magnesium, and the problems stopped.

  - Ron

• August 23, 2010 8:49 a.m.

  yes, this study does give me cause for concern --- i am a woman, over 50, who currently takes extra calcium and Vit D every day --- in addition, i also have osteo and take weekly medication for that ---- there is a family history of heart attack too --- this study has given me several questions to pose to my personal physician at our next appt --- sometimes one has to weigh out the lessser of evils and do what seems to be the most helpful direction to proceed.

  - Terri

• August 22, 2010 7:36 p.m.

  I assume you're talking abou the British Medical Journal article. I found the study and accompanying editorialpersuasive. But readers must understand it applies ONLY to WOMEN 50 or older taking at least 500 mg elemental calcium WITHOUT a vitamin D supplement. Among the patients I see, nearly all of the postmenopausal women taking calcium are also taking extra vitamin D. So the research resuslt don't apply to them. The editorial will convince you that the benefits of calcium supplements for most people are not that great. -Steve Parker, M.D. Reference: Bolland, Mark, et al. Effect of calcium supplements on risk of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular events: meta-analysis. British Medical Journal, 341 (2010): c3691

  - Steve

• August 22, 2010 5:13 p.m.

  I too saw this report on the nightly news. Katie Courich said(I believe) that her doctor told her to stop taking her calcium supplement. So, I did too. My family has a history of heart disease and when I heard this report, I became concerned. But, I am also concerned about my bone strength. I guess I am in a quandar and a bit confused.

  - Diane

• August 21, 2010 10:36 p.m.

  Almonds and Brazil nuts make good calcium-rich snacks if you are looking for natural ways to get Ca+. In fact, eating a variety of nuts - walnuts, pistachios and hazel nuts as the others - is a great way to find all those trace minerals like zinc, magnesium, etc. Other thoughts?

  - Anthony

• August 21, 2010 10:12 p.m.

  I have used Lactaid milk for years. They now make a fat-free variety with extra calcium. I also take 1000 mg. of Vitamin D daily with no problem.

  - Rosalie

• August 21, 2010 9:39 a.m.

  I drink soy milk because of the lactose issue.

  - Jo

• August 21, 2010 6:52 a.m.

  each time a new report comes out we all either go running to the store to buy the lateset miricle pill or stop in our tracks. do the lactose free milk products supply the same calcium and vitamin D needed as regular milk products? I was just about to go to GNC and get calcium supplements as I seem to be entering a new phase in life (46) and worry about about bone strentgth but seem to be lactose sensitive. any recommendations on a natural way to take in sufficicent calcium and Vitamin D when you have lactose issues?

  - mom2boys