Hi guys,

I need help please from anyone (including Jini ) that can advise me on a well tolerated Calcium supplement. Thanks to the horrible Prednisolone I now have the beginings of osteo. I have been told by my doctor to start taking at least 1500mg of Calcium. I have tried Calcium Carbonate, Citrate and Oratate and all three forms have given me really bad stomach cramps/ gas etc. Can anyone advise me on the best form of Calcium supplement only, not food please, to avoid this problem.

Kind regards
Crampygut

Hi, crampygut.

I'm afraid I don't have a direct answer to your question. (Suggestion on a different calcium supplement to try.) Your best bet really may be to keep trying different ones until you find one that works well with your body.

However, I do want to encourage you to continue doing some research on your own regarding osteoporosis and regarding assimilation of nutrients. Some points, which any research you do will almost certainly bear out: 1) Calcium is not the only mineral/nutrient you need to build bone. You really need to look at a spectrum of different nutrients. 2) Diet definitely does matter because certain foods/beverages will cause your body to pull calcium from the bones. 3) Exercise is also a powerful ally in maintaining existing bone mass or even building new bone mass.

Understand that I can't make a qualified recommendation on the book I'm about to reference as I have not read it. I am mentioning it because the excerpt that was available online looked promising. Perhaps your local library will have a copy. Since you already have digestive issues, if you find any advice contrary to what Jini gives in LTYG, such as suggesting a mineral supplement that contains Betaine HCL (hydrochloride), I definitely advise you to give Jini's advice heavier weight. Now, the book I am talking about is Better Bones, Better Body by Susan E. Brown.

I've found that www.google.com is a great website to utilize for doing research.

Finally, you obviously recognize that the prednisolone is one of if not the contributor to your early osteoporosis. I don't think that your doctor will argue that if you continue to take this drug, the best that you can hope for is that the osteoporosis won't progress further if you take every step that you can to preserve your current bone mass. It's not my place to tell you what to do, but I can say that Jini gives advice on how to wean yourself off of medications and what to expect during the process in Chapter Five of LTYG if you are interested in this.

I hope this answer doesn't disappoint you, but one of the foundations to Jini's program is the necessity for each of us to take responsibility/authority for our own bodies and healing, not to follow anyone purely on faith. Taking this responsibility requires each of us to take a part in our own education regarding the health issues we're facing....

Best Regards,
Nicole