Calcium question

[Family4Christ]

I have problems in pregnancy from not getting enough calcium. I'm having a hard time affording the $60 a month in organic dairy to reach my calcium needs. So, I went looking into liquid calcium. Bluebonnet makes one that is 1200mg of calcium and it's $20 a month. I had to switch to rainbow light once a day (from the complete), so I'll only be getting 200mg from that now.

Have y'all found liquid calcium to absorb well? I know there's a question as to the absorption in pasteurized dairy, so I was looking for an alternative anyway.

I'll also be taking pregnancy tea (raspberry, nettle, alfalfa and peppermint). I know there's calcium there too, but I have no idea how much.

Thanks!

[HRJ]

My acupuncturist says calcium citrate is the best form. I'm not doing dairy while PG b/c I am allergic and DS is allergic. But I freak a little about getting my daily needs met. Met w/ a nutritionist. Black eyed peas and tofu are really high in calcium.

[lillymonster]

I take the blue bonnet magnesium/calcium/vit D liquid. It's 10 a bottle, so I take that, but I only take 1 out of the 2 TB a day. I don't know if it works, like I can't tell, but I do like it and know the magnesium part of it works the best for me.

[Family4Christ]

Thanks, ladies! I think I'm going to try the blue bonnet stuff. Thanks for your replies!

[Melian]

It is not just dairy that has calcium in itself. You can also eat broccoli and cheese and other vegetables that has calcium in it. I am lactose intolerant so on a daily basis I only take a pregnancy multivitamin with 7.5 ug calcium, drink 2 cups of soy milk with added calcium, eat at least one piece of bread with cheese on it (hard cheese though, in that the lactose is pretty non-existent) and eat a variety of vegetables.
Here is a list of fruit with high calcium content:
Blackberries
Blackcurrants
Dates
Grapefruit
Mulberries
Orange
Pomegranate
Prickly Pears

And here is a list of vegetables with high calcium content:
Amaranth leaves
Bok Choy
Brussels Sprouts
Butternut squash
Celery
Chinese Broccoli
French Beans
Kale
Okra
Parsnip
Spirulina
Swiss Chard
Turnip

I think eating a variety of these things is much healthier then supplement.

[krizzanne]

I agree with Melian above who shows how many foods have calcium. Getting enough calcium is rarely the issue...while absorption of calcium is.
Your body needs enough Magnesium and Vit. D to properly use the calcium.

Supplementing with extra calcium is proving to be one of the causes of atherosclerosis and a couple other health issues.

If you want more info, I will look it up for you.

By far, Vit D and Mag are more important to not be deficient in - and are almost impossible to get through diet.

Epsom salt baths are a cheap form for Mag supplement, and sun is a cheap Vit D supplement - but that depends where you live whether it's available.

good luck.