Question About Calcium

[Kevin M]

One of the larger reasons for failure in biological valves is calcification of the valve.

I was wondering how the body absorbs calcium because I've started to take a multivitamin and I occasionally take TUMs or other antacids which contain calcium.

I recognize that calcium is necessary for strong bones and warding off ostioporosis and other evils, but I was also concerned that by ingesting calcium in this form could be inadvertantly shortening the life of "little piggy" in my chest. (I always say I am a cannibal when I eat pork).

If anyone knows about this sort of thing, I'd love to learn about it from you.
Thanks,
Kev

 

[Nancy]

Hi Kev-

I thought I remembered reading an old thread on this same issue.

Here's the link and there is also another link within some of the messages.

http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=647&highlight=calcium

 

[Blanche]

Kevin

Kevin

Your post really grabbed my attention because I have recently been researching calcium for a friend. Al and I just got dexa scans this week, which showed improvement over last year. Last year our dexa scans showed that Albert has severe osteoporosis and I have osteopenia. When we told the doctor that we were not taking calcium because of fears of calcification, his response nearly bounced me off the wall. I also told him that another doctor told Albert not to take calcium. His response is unprintable here! To simplify the argument he gave for calcium, much of which I did not understand, it seems that if the body does not get enough calcium it will leach calcium from the bones. So, his conclusion was, regardless of what you do, you will have calcium in your system. Would you rather have it come from diet and supplements or from your bones!!!! Appears that a whole lot of calcium was leached from our bones!!!

I found several sites that discuss calcification and all discuss it in terms of atherosclerosis. The site that I turn to often is the Heart Center Online For Patients. They state, "The role that calcium deposits play in atherosclerosis has nothing to do the the calclium that comes either from food or supplements."

You can find a long discussion of calcification here
www.heartcenteronline.com/Calcification.html

Hope this helps. If I find others, I'll post them.

Regards, Blanche

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Blanche

Basically that's what our cardio told us, too. Tyce takes 1,000 mg. calcium daily and when we asked, were told....."NO PROBLEM." So, we take our calcium.

Evelyn

 

[Peachy]

Hi Kevin

This is a problem which I have been trying to find answers to. My pig valve is only 9 months old at the moment so hopefully it will last a long time. Anyway I came across a statement on the Edwards Lifescience website who are the manufacturers of my valve. They say that if you have a biological valve then "avoid excessive amounts of calcium". I have been doing this. I still take milk in my coffee, cereal etc but only small amounts. I avoid a lot of cheese, cream, milk chocolate etc which is full of calcium. I don't know if this will help but I will give it a go.

 

[Gail in Ca]

Peachy,
My pig valve lasted 11 years and I ate whatever I wanted. I exercised 5 days a week also.
I began taking calcium supps in my early 40's by my family practioners recommendation.
I didn't take it regularly before I got the mechanical. I now have to take my meds religiously, so the calcium tabs go into my pill organizer and I take them daily.
Gail