Calci-yuuuuum!
Bariatric Advantage has just released a new flavor of calcium, and there is all sorts of buzz online about them.
I first got to try them in Las Vegas at the WLSFA event. At the time, I thought they were okay, but certainly not wonderful. However, I didn’t have enough of a sample to do a full review. Ed over at BA was kind enough to send me a bag, along with my favorite (lemon!!) and I was given more of a chance to do a full review.
BA says:
Our Calcium Citrate Chewy Bites deliver 250 mg of elemental calcium as calcium citrate in a delicious chew. They also contain 125 IU of vitamin D3 for healthy absorption. These chews are sugar-free as well, so you don’t have to worry about getting extra carbs while you get the calcium you need. Each chew is individually wrapped so you can take them with you wherever you go.
Vita4Life, as marketed by HELP
So a series of “bariatric” supplements are starting to hit the market again, this time marketed by HELP, or Healthy Everyday Life Products. They include supplements from Vita4Life, Protica collagen protein, and Shakeology amongst other things.
Vita4Life says:
The Best Calcium Supplement for Weight Loss Surgery Patients
Vita4Life! Calcium Malate Formula: Our calcium malate chelate formula is designed to meet the calcium supplementation needs of patients who have undergone all weight loss surgery procedures. We use only the highest quality ingredients in our calcium product. Calcium chelate has been proven to offer maximum absorption properties.
What is Calcium Malate Chelate?
Calcium malate chelate is calcium which has been combined with beneficial amino acids so that the calcium is more rapidly and efficiently absorbed by your body. Calcium malate chelate is not only absorbed more efficiently than other forms of calcium, including calcium citrate and calcium carbonate, but it is retained better in your body tissue such as bone and teeth.
Why did we switch from Calcium Citrate to a Chelated Calcium Malate?
Calcium malate chelate offers more superior absorption properties than calcium citrate. Additionally, chelation allows us to offer you your daily dosage in four capsules daily rather than six.
A prime example of how media will take a study and leave out key points in order to scare people. Gotta love it.
All over, the news outlets are talking about how people should maybe lay off the calcium because there may be too much risk for a cardiovascular incident versus osteoporosis prevention. What they conveniently forget to mention is that the calcium used did not contain any vitamin D, which is pretty much standard faire in the US. Vitamin D is renowned for lowering cardiovascular risk.. perhaps this study highlights that now more than ever? I can say fairly confidently that people are waking up to the need of vitamin D and post-WLS folks are some of the most educated in that realm. WTG WLSers!
Additionally, it should be noted that the problem is with fluctuating serum calcium levels — something that doesn’t happen as often with post-WLS patients as our absorption does not work the same way. Food for thought: how many post-ops, people who routinely take 1500-2000mg of calcium citrate a day (or should be..) are dropping like flies with heart disease? Not many.
Am I worried? No.
Osteocalcin is one of those strange labs that we recommend that no one seems to know what it is — including, I think, some of the docs that may or may not actually order it.
Because it is one of the more obscure labs, many docs will not actually run it for you, but let’s go over it to explain what it is, why it’s important, and why it’s gaining ground in the lab-work field.
Remember that ranges are just that — ranges. Nothing is set in stone, and each lab sets their own range. Your mileage may vary.
This is a fasting test.
Right off the bat — This is not my work. Got it? NOT MINE. Jillybean720 on ObesityHelp? yeah. She gets the props for all this wonderfulness.
I’m just putting it up because some people don’t want to download things on the net. I’m providing a service.
This is a comparison of chewable multivites available. Even a liquid. Apples to apples, side by side.
Just a smal taste..
Go. Read. Be in awe of the time she took to do this for the community. Because no doubt? She really took a lot of time to do this for the community. And when you get a chance? Tell her Thanks! when you’re over at OH. She can be contacted here.
