Dear Barbara,

Just a few additions to previous info on calcium.  The maximum amount of Ca that can be absorbed at any one time is about 500 mg., so it is best to take in several smaller doses, either through food or supplements, throughout the day rather than taking one or two megadoses per day.  Magnesium should also be taken, at about a 2:1 dose, Ca to Mg.  Vit. D is also an important part of bone formation.  Calcium citrate can be taken without food and in fact, absorption can be diminished if a lot of fiber is ingested at the same time, so that is something else to keep in mind.  In order to avoid side-effects such as kidney stones and loss of magnesium, it is best to keep the dose to no more than 2000-2500 mg. of Ca per day.  Hope this helps and best wishes to your friend in coping with her upcoming chemo.  Many oncologists are now encouraging their patients to use nutritional and herbal therapies to help the body to cope with the effects of chemo - just make sure everyone on board knows what everyone else is suggesting/prescribing.


Warmly,
Sharon Knorr, BSMT, ASCP, IBCLC
Newark, NY (near Rochester on Lake Ontario)
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