As you may remember, I was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis. I've consulted with my gyn, a nutritionist, and most recently a physical therapist who is teaching me the correct form for both pilates and weightlifting.
I've given up gluten, as suggested by the gyn, and switched to healthy fats and lots more of them as suggested by the nutritionist. Both of these professionals sell supplements, but not the same brand of supplements. They have me on all sorts of things that I was beginning to think my be doing more for them than for me. FYI – in addition to a spoonful of coconut oil per day (which is actually pretty tasty) I take a spoonful of cinnamon-flavored flax seed oil (almost icky).
My first meeting with the physical therapist was truly informative. She looked at the list of pills and my normal diet and said "you aren't getting enough calcium." She's a believer is getting what you need from food first (and I tend to agree with her) but it's hard when you've been told no milk or cheese or Total cereal (one of her favorite calcium-rich foods). So I've added mustard greens, almonds, and Oikos plain non-fat yogurt to my daily diet.
She also recommended CitriCal for my calcium supplement (backed by good research) and Women's One-A-Day vitamins for women over 50. Both of these are cheaper and easier to find than the fancy supplements I was taking. Then she said something about taking my pills 15-20 minutes after a meal. This was in passing, just a quick thought.
I stopped her because I have always taken my pills 'with food' – meaning 'while I was eating.' I could tell from her expression that she thought I was maybe not that bright because, of course, with food means after food. Not to me because I tend to be literal. If they want you to take pills 20 miinutes after eating the instructions should say just that.
This is the what I've learned: When you take pills is important. It's possible that the calcium problems I have are because I've taken my pills at the wrong time for 8 years. If nothing else, it can't have helped.
Those of you who already know when to take your pills, pat yourself on the back and be happy. Those of you who are doing what I was doing, ask you physician exactly when you should be taking your pills. I hope this is helpful to someone because I do wish I had known this sooner.
Piece O Cake Blog 
I have been following with interest your posts on this subject. I don’t have Osteoporosis YET but according to my doctor I am heading that way on a fast train. Yes, I do take my pills while I am eating and like you I am a literal person! Thanks for the tips. Cheers from Cairns where it is sunny one minute and rainy the next!
LikeLike
you are right, for calcium pills to be a calcium supplement they need to be taken after meals or at bedtime. If you take them at the beginning of the meal they will bind with the phosphorus in the meal.
LikeLike
Thanks so much for this information. I, too, have been making the same mistake. I’ve taken one calcium pill in the morning and one at night. Guess I’ll take both at night. Please keep sharing such information. I love your interesting blog.
LikeLike
Becky, thanks for posting the correct time to take pills. I’m with you. I figured half way through the meal was the right time to take them. So now I know and I’ll set the timer. Thanks!
LikeLike
That’s very informative. Thanks!
LikeLike
Thank you….. has any one suggested to you to sprinkle some flax seeds on your ceral or in your yogart?
So much of medicine these days makes me feel like a profit center…. oil over food seeds…
LikeLike
LOVE the Coconut Oil… WE no longer cook with Olive Oil (use in salads only), but cook with organic Coconut Oil… and i use it to remove makeup & to moisturize my face (RMS Beauty sells raw Coconut oil – my skin has never, ever looked or felt so good)….
also use coconut oil on my hair.
Great product!
LikeLike
From what I know, which may not be correct, you cant chew whole flax seeds enough to get the benefit from them. You should grind them or just get the oil. And, note, i think ground flax seeds are supposed to be refrigerated, and they dont keep all that long.
Sent from my iPad
LikeLike
Becky I am sending this to my ‘most literal’ friend!
LikeLike
Well, yet another opinion from another doctor. About 10 years ago my “T” score showed that my bones were becoming thin, my Doctor of Osteopath put me on three Calicum with Citrate with D (helps absorbtion) per day to be taken at three different times as the body would not benefit from taking all at the same time. My “T” score two years ago showed I have done a complete turn-around and now I only take calcium two times a day. Just another opinion on this testy subject. I have always taken my pills anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours after eating. We get a wonderful flax seed bread from Lowe’s Foods.
LikeLike
I too have been cautioned about taking all my calcium at one time or soon after a meal containg lots of calcium. So far my bones are good and they have been through chemo and radiation so I am trying to keep them that way. Thanks for sharing your info.
LikeLike
Your blog is so informative. I too was taking medication wrong. I take thyroid meds and you should take it first thing in the am, with no food, and my levels have finally remained stable. I was on this for years and was up and down and no one mentioned when to take it. Thank you!
LikeLike
There is more calcium in broccoli than there is in cheese 🙂 How about some delicious steamed broccoli with olive, lemon and salt ??? You may also check on cauliflower , if the calcium is good , can you do a head of cauliflower with alfredo sauce ??
LikeLike
You know, Im happy to find out that I am not the only one who didnt know about when to take pills. I almost didnt write this post and now Im glad I did!
LikeLike
Here is a small list , the broccoli content varies with each chart, the one I saw was at my docs office and it had more than cheddar cheese. Salmon, Canned, with bones, 75g; 185 mg Calcium
Rhubarb, cooked, 240ml; 174 mg Calcium
Oatmeal, fortified 240ml; 163 mg Calcium
Spinach, frozen, cooked, 240ml; 138 mg Calcium
Tofu, firm, 240ml; 258 mg Calcium
Almonds, 240ml; 92 mg Calcium
Beans, boiled, baked or refried, 240ml; 50 mg Calcium
Mustard greens, cooked from fresh, 240ml; 52 mg Calcium
Orange, 1 medium 52 mg Calcium
Halibut, baked, 75g; 51 mg Calcium
Kale, fresh, cooked, 240ml; 47 mg Calcium
Broccoli, cooked from fresh, 240ml; 36 mg Calcium (a good source of vitamin D)
Bread, whole wheat, slice; 32 mg Calcium
LikeLike
Thank you! Many times I’ve skipped the vitamins and calcium altogether if I missed taking them WITH the meal. Who knew?
LikeLike
Thanks for the info!
LikeLike
Don’t want to complicate things but I have been through the same thing. After 1 1/2 years of treatment I developed a kidney stone which required surgery. Now I’m off calcium supplements and have not had it happen again. You may want to check with your physician about the possibility of kidney stones. My system just could not handle the extra calcium. Thanks for bring up this subject…Lynne from
Georgia who you taught to applique at the Houston Quilt Show.
LikeLike
Thanks Becky….I have osteopenia (5 years now) and
switched to the Calcium Citrate because I was told by the doctor it wasnt necessary to take it with food. I’ve always taken my supplements right before eating, and now will switch to 20 minutes later (if I remember!) I was also told weight bearing exercise is even more important than the supplements.
LikeLike
I may have missed something from a previous entry, but I am wondering why your Dr. has suggested gluten-free diet. Does that have anything to do with osteoporosis?
I have osteopenia, so far that’s it. I take a lot of calcium. I always wondered what it’s doing to my system. This pill taking business is crazy stuff!
Your blog is so interesting. Thanks!
a Dallas quilter
LikeLike
If you are gluten intolerant, gluten can block the absorption of a variety of vitamins and minerals. My daughter-in-laws father is in terrible shape because of this. My doctor is making a guess with me but I dont mind not eating gluten and its worth a shot to see if it helps.
In fact, cutting gluten out of my diet makes it easier to cut back on lots of carbs that I would otherwise eat. I havent exactly lost weight, but its easier to keep off new pounds.
LikeLike
I hope the gluten-free diet works for you. I know it works for so many people.
And, we LOVE coconut oil at our house! I Made pumpkin bread with it this week. Probably not gluten-free, but, tasty.
LikeLike
Becky, I’ve been following your blog since you shopped with me at JJill right before your trip to Australia. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your life with us.
LikeLike
Im glad youre enjoying my posts! I know I enjoy writing them.
LikeLike