ANTACIDS AS CALCIUM SOURCES

Lets really think for a moment

about using stomach antacids as
calcium supplements. Maybe a
little information will shed some
light on the subject.
According to Sue Rodwell Williams, author of the textbook, Nutrition and Diet Therapy, calcium requires and acid
medium for optimal absorption.
Absorption takes place in the small intestine,
chiefly in the duodenum, where the pH is lower than
in the distal portion of the intestine, because the
acidity of the gastric juices has not yet been
reduced. Calcium salts are relatively insoluble in a
less acid medium.

This is profound, in light of the fact that antacids, by design, lower acid (increasing the pH) by neutralizing stomach acid.
If you have too much stomach acid, and it hurts because it burns you then an antacid might be the very thing you need.
But if you are taking the antacid as a calcium supplement, you are nullifying a requirement for the absorption of the
calcium by increasing the pH are you making sense? Not.
Antacids are made from calcium carbonate (read your labels) and calcium carbonate is a very alkaline substance that is
why it makes a good antacid but it makes no sense to use an antacid as a calcium supplement when it neutralizes the
very medium needed for absorption.
A little light goes a long way!