Vitamins/Supplements - HELP!

[MamaX]

I think I am in need of a good calcium supplement. My 10 month old son has suspected food sensitivities/allergies and we breastfeed. Since he was 3 months old I have been:

dairy free (all dairy, including hidden dairy)
red meat free
soy free
egg free
fish free
peanut free

Now I am experiencing very painful achy knees - no injury - just lots of aching - could be arthritis I suppose but I was told achy joints can be a sign of a calcium deficiency - that makes sense to me. I do have enriched rice milk in my cereal but other than this I don't think I get much calcium.

I don't think TUMS are going to cut it - am wondering if anyone knows of a good overall dietary supplement or just a good calcium supplement?

Thanks!

[Robinna]

There's a really good herbal calcium supplement out there called Cal-Silica - it's calcium w/ silica which makes it absorb more easily. It's the one my naturopath recommends. Hang on I'll just run down to the kitchen and see what brand it is...

... OK I'm back. it's made by Nature's Way and contains Horsetail Grass, Oat Straw and Scullcap.

Peace

[hotmamacita]

In a converstion with Anne Frye while I was pregnant with the twins she recommended Calcium-citrate. Easier to absorb. I buy rainbow naturals brand and they have a chewable form

hth

[justmama]

Wow, I have no suggestions for you but KUDOS on staying away from so many foods. That takes real dedication to stick it out like that MamaX. I'm proud of you!
Meg

[momto l&a]

Calcium-citrate

[Queen Gwen]

Can you drink herbal infusions along with the supplements? If you can combine a food-source with your supplement it really boosts the supplement.
Susun Weed recommends steeping an ounce of calcium-rich herb in a one quart container for at least 4 hours (you get more of the minerals that way). Some calcium rich herbs would be oatstraw, nettle, raspberry leaf, chickweed, dandelion leaf. There are others...valerian is on the list, but I think many people react to it (I know my dd's bottom turned red whenever I took it).

Can you eat other nuts? Almonds are relatively high in calcium, as is tahini. Also, Susun Weed comments that you need to cook dark green leafies longer to release all the minerals.

Personally, my joints ache in reaction to corn. I wonder if you're overconsuming another food now that you've cut out so many other things, and it's starting to take its toll.