Question about Tums

[amylizpat]

What do you ladies think about taking Tums as a calcium supplement during pregnancy? I broke a bone back in Dec and my ortho surgeon thinks it's because my bones were fragile due to recent pregnancy and breastfeeding. I'd like to up my calcium intake but don't know if Tums is really effective or not. Now, this is odd, but...just last night DH asked me if I was taking a calcium supplement. I told him no, I hadn't been to the store to pick up any. Just a few minutes ago Fed Ex delivered a box and I thought it was my cloth dipes. I opened it up and it's like a zillion sample packets of Tums. It's for the woman who used to live in our house, who is an OB but has moved out of state. I'm not sending them back if I can use them (yeah, yeah, I know, but dang, if I can use them, it's like Manna from the sky, right???). So, what do y'all think? Any risks? I've read some things, but still not convinced either way.

[mothragirl]

don't they have aluminum in them? personally i wouldn't take thrm.
ETA- yuck http://www.tums.com/faqs_contents.asplead and aluminum

[Curlita]

I take a Cal-Mag-Zinc supplement and also make sure I get three dairies a day. I'm always a little suspect of the calcium that comes in supplements rather than food. If you really can't get it any other way, then supplementing is definitely a good idea, but Tums might not be the best source. See if your doc has a recommendation.

[sorteep]

I'm not a "tums for calcium" fan but I know many do take it for that.. I would consider a calcium citrate/ magnesium glycinate supp and also a min of 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily... bone strength is an incredibly complex metabolism of which calcium is only a tiny portion , boron and silica are also very important as is weight bearing exercise and sunlight... very complex.. adequate stomach acid is also VITAL for calcium absorbtion.. I could go on and on....

[Fyrestorm]

My chiro explained to me that calcium needs a semi acidic enviroment to be absorbed properly, therefore, the antacid properties in Tums make the calcium fairly useless.

[Nosy]

I wouldn't. I think Tums were responsible for prematurely calcifying my placenta in my first pregnancy.

[GinaRae]

The calcium in Tums isn't the right kind and can cause kidney stones. I would go with a Calcium Citrate with Magnesium and Vitamin D. You can get a bottle that mixes all that or take the Vit D separately.

[gloobella]

My husband has gotten several kidney stones because of TUMS. He would have at least 5 a day!

I have a chewable fruit flavored calcium candy that I sometimes have when the spirit moves me. It is in the natural section of my grocery store. I am a dairy fiend so I don't worry too much about it.