Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are drugs commonly used to treat acid reflux and heartburn, often commonly called antacids. If you are someone who relies on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to alleviate your acid reflux symptoms, you should be aware of it that these medications may provide relief, recent research has shown that they can interfere with the absorption of calcium in the body. This interference can lead to a deficiency in calcium, which can be detrimental to your overall health. Calcium is essential for strong bones, teeth, and overall health. However, fear not! This guide will provide PPI users with a comprehensive understanding of how they can maximize the benefits of calcium supplements to maintain their health.
Introduction to PPIs and their impact on calcium absorption
PPIs work by reducing the production of gastric acid, which helps to prevent acid reflux and heartburn. However, gastric acid is also necessary for dissolving calcium carbonate tablets and indirectly helps absorption of soluble calcium in the body. Human body can only absorb calcium if available in soluble form. When PPIs reduce gastric acid, the amount of calcium can be extracted out from a calcium tablet is significantly reduced, as a result the body absorbs much lesser amount of calcium from a calcium carbonate supplement tablet. Research studies shown that in some cases less than 10% of supplied amount of calcium could be solubilized or available for absorption. This can lead to chronic calcium deficiency situation, which can cause a variety of health problems. In some cases, it creates a false sense of satisfaction that enough amount of calcium supplement (calcium carbonate tablet) taken every day from large pills but in actuality only less than 10% of consumed amount could be available for absorption. Approximately, in presence of PPI a 1200 mg calcium tablet can provide less than 120 mg soluble calcium available for absorption but actual amount of calcium absorbed from the available calcium would be hard to predict. The rest amount of calcium present in calcium carbonate tablet as solid will remain undigested. This undigested calcium compound could be creating side effects down the line like constipation, gas and bloating let alone chronic calcium deficiencies.
Calcium deficiency can lead to osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become weak and brittle. This can increase the risk of fractures and other bone-related injuries. Calcium deficiency can also cause muscle cramps, joint pain, and fatigue. In addition, calcium is important for maintaining a healthy heart, nerve function, and blood clotting.
How important is calcium for overall health?
Calcium is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in maintaining overall health. In addition to its role in bone health, calcium is also important for muscle function, nerve function, and blood clotting. Calcium is also necessary for the release of hormones and enzymes that regulate various bodily functions.
As we all know presence of required amount of calcium available in the body is very important for women, who are at a higher risk of osteoporosis than men. Calcium is also important during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as it helps to support fetal development and milk production. Children and adolescents also need calcium to support the growth and development of their bones. Alternative options for having adequate amount of calcium for PPI users are available as explained below.
One option is to switch to a different type of acid-reducing medication that doesn’t interfere with calcium absorption, it could be difficult to find one. Another option is to incorporate more calcium-rich foods into your diet, such as dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified foods.
Additionally, you can also consider taking soluble calcium supplements to ensure that you’re getting enough of this essential mineral. Soluble calcium supplements are designed to dissolve easily in water, making them easy for the body to absorb. 100% water soluble calcium supplements do not depend on presence of stomach acid to get dissolved in stomach. These supplements dissolve within a minute when they go into water. They also often come in a user-friendly form as a powder so it can be added to a bottle of water, sprinkled over salad of choice or mix with tea or coffee or any cold beverages of choice, making them an enjoyable addition to your daily routine.
Benefits of calcium supplements for PPI users
One of the most effective ways to increase calcium intake particularly for PPI users is through calcium supplements because different food sources may require different conditions in stomach to extract out calcium from food sources which may be less than suitable for PPI users. Adequate amount of calcium from supplements might help to fill up the gap and prevent suffering from calcium deficiency related symptoms like osteoporosis and other health problems in the long run.
Types of calcium supplements available and their ingredients
Calcium supplements are available in a variety of forms, including tablets, chewable, capsules, powder and liquid. Some calcium supplements also contain other vitamins and minerals, like vitamin D and magnesium which might help absorption of calcium if available in the stomach in digestible or absorbable form. They don’t need to be supplied together all the time because their need could be different for different people.
Principal ingredients of calcium supplements come from varieties of calcium compounds, including calcium carbonate, calcium citrate, calcium lactate, calcium acetate, calcium malate and calcium gluconate.
Calcium carbonate is the most commonly available compound present in calcium supplement available in the market as a tablet or a chewable tablet. No matter what form it is delivered either as a regular tablet or as a chewable it is almost insoluble in water and requires lots of acid in the stomach to dissolve even a fraction of a tablet.
It is not easily soluble in water, for the same reason water can’t get inside the egg as calcium carbonate is the main ingredient of egg shell, it is nature’s protection mechanism for eggs. How can we expect to dissolve that insoluble compound by taking it in a large pill? Often calcium carbonate is used to manufacture the tablets since it is the cheapest calcium source as ingredient. Generally, calcium carbonate tablets are most affordable but may not be the most efficient for digestion or absorption of calcium, often causes gas, bloating, constipation and other discomforts. Most importantly it may not deliver the adequate amount of calcium our body needs, ultimately it can become the most expensive option for loss of bones and suffering from osteoporosis in the long run.
Rest of the ingredients for calcium supplements are more or less water soluble like calcium citrate, malate, lactate, acetate and gluconate. Chemically citrate, acetate and malate can form stronger acid in the stomach and could damage the stomach wall in the long run. Calcium gluconate is fully soluble and neutral salt can be available in solid, powder or in liquid form. It is so stable and neutral that often used in the hospital for quick recovery of patients from severe calcium deficiency symptoms. Combination of these water-soluble salts could be a good choice for PPI users who have difficulties absorbing calcium from their diet. Practically this type of water soluble and completely digestible supplement could be better for everybody irrespective of physiological conditions.
Choosing the right calcium supplement for PPI users
When choosing a calcium supplement, it is important to consider the form of calcium, the dosage consumed each time. PPI users should choose a calcium supplement that is easy to absorb and digest, such as water-soluble calcium supplement.
The dosage of calcium supplements can vary depending on the age, sex, and health status of the individual. PPI users should consult with their healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dosage of calcium supplements for their needs.
Optimum dosage of calcium supplements
The optimum dosage of calcium supplements for PPI users depends on a variety of factors, including age, sex, and health status. The recommended daily intake of calcium for adults from food and supplements all together is 1,000-1,200 mg per day.
As described earlier if the total amount of daily requirement is attempted to supply through two calcium carbonate supplement tablets each containing 600 mg calcium at two different time in a day and that amount does not get solubilized more than 10% what’s in a tablet then a tablet can provide only 60 mg of calcium at the most. However, PPI users may need to take a higher dosage of calcium supplements to compensate for the reduced absorption caused by the medication from food sources. Alternatively, if the supplement is completely water soluble and taken with bottle of water or with beverages then it can deliver the entire amount of calcium whatever supplied in each dosage. PPI users should consult with their healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dosage of calcium supplements for their needs.
Foods that are high in calcium
In addition to calcium supplements, PPI users can also increase their calcium intake through their diet. Foods that are high in calcium include dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, as well as leafy green vegetables, such as kale and broccoli. Other foods that are high in calcium include tofu, almonds, and canned fish, such as salmon and sardines.
Conclusion – Maximizing the benefits of calcium supplements for PPI users
PPI users can maximize the benefits of calcium supplements by choosing the right form of calcium, taking the appropriate dosage, and combining calcium supplements with other food and drinks.
When choosing a calcium supplement, it is important to choose a supplement that is highly soluble, absorbable, and digestible, such as Totally Calcium. By choosing Totally Calcium, individuals can reap the many health benefits of calcium supplements while ensuring optimal absorption and digestion.
Totally Calcium is made up of a proprietary mixture of all water-soluble GRAS approved compounds like calcium gluconate, calcium citrate, calcium acetate, calcium lactate and calcium malate which are all highly soluble in water and easily absorbed by the body. Unlike other calcium supplements, Totally Calcium does not require stomach acid for absorption, making it an ideal choice for individuals with low stomach acid or those taking acid-blocking medications like PPI. This is a significant advantage of taking Totally Calcium over any other calcium supplement that it provides 100% soluble and digestible calcium from the start.
If you or someone you know will be looking for a high-quality 100% soluble and digestible calcium supplement, try Totally Calcium. This supplement delivers 100% soluble, absorbable, and digestible calcium, so you can be sure you’re getting the maximum benefit from your calcium supplement.