In a message dated 9/25/01 2:46:28 PM, [log in to unmask] writes:
<< Dr. who is treating her osteopinea wants her to supplement her high calcium
diet. She is still taking her prenatal supplement which includes 400 mg
calcium citrate and 400IU of vitamin D. The dr. has also prescribed
supplement of 1000 mg of chelated calcium carbonate, 400 IU vitamin D and
500mg magnesium oxide. She also occasionally takes Tums for heartburn. >>
Michael Murray, who is an expert on nutrition and supplements, recommends
magnesium at 6 milligrams/2.2 kg of bodyweight, but more for specific
conditions. However, mag oxide is an inorganic, poorly absorbed form, so may
not do her much good anyway and can cause diarreah. Mag citrate is better
absorbed and is less likely to cause gastric disturbances in high doses.
500mg is not really a very high dosage, although you do not say how much is
also in her prenatal. I will assume, though, that the prenatal is also of a
synthetic variety, thus most of its ingredients may be useless to her body
(unless she has a petroleum or gelatin deficiency). Mag absorption is further
diminished by high consumption or supplementation of calcium (a huge factor
in osteoporosis is mag deficiency caused by calcium supplementation) or vit
D. Finally, as someone else mentioned, antacids, such as Tums, decrease mag
absortion, since the body requires hydrochloric acid to absorb mag. (Possibly
the majority of all indigestion-type conditions are caused by a hydrochloric
acid deficiency, not too much stomach acid!) Papaya works well for heartburn.
Vit B6, another common deficiency, improves mag accumulation in the cells.
The calcium citrate is a well-absorbed form and 1400 mg is not extremely
high at all. 400 iu of vit D is at the high end of requirements for adults,
but again not extremely high. Given that none of these doses is terribly
high, I would not even begin to be concerned about nursing. I know one person
suggested taking blood levels, but blood levels for mag are often quite
useless as the body will leach mag out of the bones to circulate in the
bloodstream and gives no indication of tissue volumes. If you have a good
relationship with this mom, you might want to suggest a holistic practitioner
like a nuturopath for a nutrition consult.
Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT,USA
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