I don't recommend Tums as a calcium supplement for two reasons.  The
regular Tums is an antacid interfering with absorption of the calcium, as
calcium requires an acid environment (lactic acid, oxacalic acid, etc.)
This was the first ca. supplement physicians recommended because of a
reluctance to "get into" vitamin/mineral supplements, which they knew little
about.  I am told that now Tums has a ca. tablet that is not accompanied by
antacid properties.

The second reason that I don't recommend this product is that calcium needs
to be balanced with magnesium in a 2/1 ratio for optimal utilization.  With
the connection between magnesium deficiency and depression, I always
recommend a ca/mag combination if a mother needs supplementation.  Actually
my favorite is ca/mag/zinc, as dairy products are a major source of zinc in
the American diet. I also look at her meat consumption, as greater meat
consumption (phosphorus) increases calcium needs.

The "studies" that showed poor disolving of many ca. supplements was
inspired by Tums in an effort to show the superiority of their product over
those in health food stores.  There were the stories of ca. pills found in
sewers. Everyone seemed to suddenly know someone who worked in the sewer.

Most Americans do injest too much phosphorus and need to pay attention to
their ca/mag intake.  We definitely need better nutrition education--and not
all of it from the meat and dairy industry. And our medical schools teach
nutrition about as thoroughly as they do breastfeeding management. Therefore
any study of the relationship between health and nutrition is relegated to
the realm of "alternative" medicine.

I believe that nutrition is in our field because we deal with "food" for the
baby and we know that a well nourished mother can best meet the many needs
of her children.  And we are dealing with a generation of women many of whom
didn't have optimal nutrition as infants and who are still suffering from it.

Pat Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee