Calcium

leggo

Someone on the Stage IV forum recently posted that calcium and magnesium should be taken 12 hours apart because taken together they would cause soft tissue damage. I knew these two supplements weren't always processed well together, but I didn't know that was the reason. I plan to ask doctor about tissue damage but in the meantime I have a question. If we have to take our calcium supplements (the 1000mg RDA or 1200mg for bone metsters) in two doses of 500mg or 600mg because of absorption, where would one fit in the magnesium to ensure there are no issues? Please tell me what you know. All I know is calcium can't be absorbed more than 600mg in a twelve hour period. Do you think it's safe to take the magnesium between those two doses of calcium? Google isn't really helpful when it comes to magnesium, other than the daily recommended amount. I can't risk soft tissue damage, but I NEED magnesium and have to make sure it doesn't affect my kidney function. Any info is appreciated.

leggo

Someone on the Stage IV forum recently posted that calcium and magnesium should be taken 12 hours apart because taken together they would cause soft tissue damage. I knew these two supplements weren't always processed well together, but I didn't know that was the reason. I plan to ask doctor about tissue damage but in the meantime I have a question. If we have to take our calcium supplements (the 1000mg RDA or 1200mg for bone metsters) in two doses of 500mg or 600mg because of absorption, where would one fit in the magnesium to ensure there are no issues? Please tell me what you know. All I know is calcium can't be absorbed more than 600mg in a twelve hour period. Do you think it's safe to take the magnesium between those two doses of calcium? Google isn't really helpful when it comes to magnesium, other than the daily recommended amount. I can't risk soft tissue damage, but I NEED magnesium and have to make sure it doesn't affect my kidney function. Any info is appreciated.

glennie19

I am not sure what is meant by soft tissue damage??  The problem with absorption of the two is that they are both 2++ cations and compete on the same pathways. If you take them 3-4 hours apart, you won't have a problem with absorption.

If someone has a link about the damage, I would surely like to read it. I'm a pharmacist, BTW,, and I've never heard of this issue with it causing soft tissue damage,, but hey, new stuff pops up all the time.

Momine

Leggo, I tried to google your question. As far as I can understand, and taking into account what Glennie said, it is actually the calcium that can cause soft tissue damage, IF you are unable to absorb it properly. In order to absorb calcium, you need magnesium. So if the two minerals compete for the same path ways, as per Glennie, then I guess taking them together could mean that you do not get enough magnesium to go with the calcium. 

leggo

Thanks ladies for responding. Glennie, thanks for weighing in with a professional opinion. I sometimes trust pharmacists more than doctors when it comes to meds and supplements. A link was not provided for that information on the other forum and I couldn't find anything on google about it either, but here's the post where it's being discussed.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/8/topic/823408

I'm really confused as to why either supplement would cause soft tissue damage, but anyway, I guess I can assume, it's safe to continue splitting up the calcium dose and taking the magnesium in between?  I really don't want to cause more harm. 

glennie19

thank you for the link to that thread. I posted my thoughts over there. I would definitely like to see an article on it.

I don't see why it would cause soft tissue damage either, unless you were taking mega-doses or something???

I really believe that you should take your calcium in doses of 500-600mg (no more at a time) so that dose twice a day if necessary,, and then take the magnesium in between,, 3-4 hours before or after the calcium. Calcium morning and night,, mag at lunch??  something like that.  That is honestly what I would do.  I cringe at the hospital when I see doctors order calcium 1200mg as one dose, and they do not want to listen that it needs to be divided,,,, but it does!

Calcium competes with zinc, manganese, magnesium, copper and iron for absorption in the intestine and a high intake of one can reduce absorption of the others.

And iron,,, is also a 2+ cation,, so if you need to take that too,,, then it needs to be taken apart from the other minerals also. I think that the small amounts in a typical multivitamin are not as effected,, but if you take your 600 mg of calcium with your multiv,, then you would affect the absorption of all the tiny bits of minerals in your multi.

cp418

Wow - I never heard of this conflict about taking these supplements at the same time - just that BOTH were necessary for bone health with Vit D.  This article did mention taken together they will cancel each other out.  So take Calcium during day and Mg at night.  http://blog.seattlepi.com/naturalnotes/2009/09/01/magnesium-and-calcium-arent-always-the-best-of-friends/

Magnesium is a critical mineral for health. Magnesium is necessary for some 300 reactions in the body, it is used by every organ in the body, especially your heart, muscles, and kidneys. It contributes to teeth and bones as well as activating enzymes, contributing to energy production, and helps regulate calcium, copper, zinc, potassium, vitamin D, and other important nutrients.

Calcium should be taken during the day.  Magnesium is best taken at bedtime for better utilization and better sleep. The reason for this is that calcium is antagonistic towards magnesium, as they act biochemically to cancel each other out.

leggo

Thank you very much. All very helpful info and much appreciated. 

juneping

i had no idea calcium should not be taken in one dose of 1200mg....i'll divide it then. thanks...

glennie19

yes, the body can only absorb so much at one time. Don't take more than 600 mg tablet at one time.

lightandwind

There is also magnesium oil that can be sprayed on and absorbed transdermally. I purchased mine on amazon. It helps w/ sleep.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/marek-doyle/help-m...

juneping

light - where do you spray the oil? and when? before bed time? i wanna try....my neighbor woke me up a few times which messed up my sleep cycle....ugh...

lightandwind

Hi Juneping. I just spray it wherever..on my belly, wrists etc. From what I've read, magnesium supposedly absorbs much easier this way. 

juneping

light - thanks!! I'll get some...

leggo

Glennie, just wanted to let you know (and anyone else who was concerned about the calcium/magnesium thing), I have several relatives in Germany so I called them and a couple of pharmacies and we all did some checking. All the dosage recommendations there are the same as they are here with nobody knowing about soft tissue damage even if they were taken together. All mentioned though, just as you did, to take a few hours apart to get the full benefit of both. The only thing I found out that was different there, is that their calcium supplements come in 500 mg tablets as opposed to the 250 mg here, so they only have to swallow 2 horse pills per day....lucky. One of  my relatives is seeing an oncologist regularly and she asked hers for me too. Same thing. Nothing about soft tissue damage. Phew! 

Like you said on the other forum Glennie, it's possible that info could change, but for now, the few pharmacists I called in Hamburg don't know about it......yet. With all the soft tissue damage I have already, I'm quite relieved to here that. Thanks again for your professional input on the matter. 

glennie19

Good to know! Thanks!

inga6060

Wow!  As a nutritionist and master herbalist, and someone who worked in health food stores for 12 years.  There is a huge difference in calciums and absorption.  Dr. Actually wrote a book about how bad calcium supplements are for you and can actually cause cancer.  Don't remember name of book.  Has calcium in title.  There are whole food calciums on the market.   Calcium coming from algae and green veges.  these are bioavailable by the body.  Unlike other forms where, if you don't absorb them it may be stored in other areas of your bodies.  Have you heard of bone spurs?  You guessed it.  I believe new chapter makes one, garden of life, and natures way.  Real food.  Another good source is a bone broth made with real bone.  Loaded full of other bioavailable minerals.  Best thing for your kidneys.  I have seen really good personal results with it.  Mt. Capra makes a great mineral.whey.  highly digestable calcium, balanced with other minerals.  Its about absorption not quantity.  Countries with the lowest osteperosis rates get around 200mg of calcium a day from their food.  Hmm.  Just a little food for thought.

nixie

ip6 inositol contains both minerals and believe me if it did cause problems we would have heard about it.