3 Steps Gastric Bypass Patients Can Take to Avoid Calcium Deficiency

Most Americans do not get enough calcium in their diets; the average daily intake is 500 milligrams shy of the RDI (Recommended Daily Intake) of 1,000 to 1,500 milligrams.

Gastric bypass patients are even more unlikely to intake adequate dietary calcium and without supplementation they may become calcium deficient which ultimately results in osteoporosis. Weight loss surgery patients are limited by the volume of calcium rich foods they may consume. In addition, the malabsorption issue resulting from gastric bypass presents another problem. Since the bowel does not readily absorb calcium and the stomach is drastically shortened there is limited opportunity for the calcium to be absorbed in the body.

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body ? we have two or three pounds of it, most of which is located in the bones and teeth. In addition to building bones and teeth, calcium is an electrolyte required for transmitting nerve signals, water balance, acid/alkaline balance and maintaining osmotic pressure. It helps the blood to clot and is necessary for the heart muscle function. It's long been known that calcium will aid in the prevention of osteoporosis, but new studies are identifying calcium for it's anticancer actions within the colon.

Most dietary calcium comes from dairy products but can also be found in sardines, canned salmon, green leafy vegetables and tofu. The National Academy of Sciences has raised the calcium guideline to 1,000 milligrams a day for people under 51, and to 1,200-1,500 milligrams a day for people over 51.

Gastric bypass patients can do three things to better assimilate calcium in the body:

First, take a chewable calcium supplement twice daily.

Second, exercise consistently.

Third, enjoy sunshine every day.

Chewable supplements taken twice daily will more rapidly dissolve and assimilate into the body than hard pills. They should be 500 milligrams each; the body cannot absorb more than 500 milligrams at a time. The best supplements are calcium citrate, calcium carbonate and calcium lactate.

Next, studies show that people who exercise regularly better assimilate calcium into the body than sedentary individuals. Even though US Astronauts take calcium supplements in orbit, they return to Earth calcium deficient; NASA believes lack of physical activity prevents their bodies from assimilating the calcium.

Finally, get some sunshine. Twenty minutes a day of direct or indirect sunlight will give the body plenty of natural vitamin D, the "sunshine vitamin", which is necessary for calcium assimilation.

Doing these three things will make you feel great today and will contribute to healthier aging. Osteoporosis is an epidemic in this country and is directly attributed to calcium deficiency. We all know that when an elderly person falls and breaks a hip death is imminent. Osteoporosis is nearly always the reason why hipbones break when older people fall. In the case of osteoporosis there is nothing the body can do to defend itself from the loss of calcium associated with aging. Supplementation is necessary throughout adulthood to prevent chronic calcium deficiency.

Kaye Bailey is a weight loss surgery success story having maintained her health and goal weight for 5+ years. An award winning journalist, she is the author and webmaster of http://www.livingafterwls.com and http://www.livingafterwls.blogspot.com

Fresh & insightful content is added daily, check in often.

To subscribe to the LivingAfterWLS monthly newsletter "You Have Arrived" click on http://www.livingafterwls.com and enter your details in the subscription box.

---

Weight Loss, Exercise, and Bodybuilding Tips ? Keeping Your Body-Fat Low: Part 6 of 10

Do you know that while you work out the muscles... Read More

Weight Loss Superfecta

If you are a fan of horse racing, you are... Read More

Gastric Bypass Surgery, an Overview

With the number of people suffering from obesity rising so... Read More

9 Quick Ways To Conquer Cellulite

In our never ending search for the illusive "Fountain of... Read More

5 Tips to Use Your Head and Let Go of that Extra Weight

Notice, if you would, that every diet out there only... Read More

The College Student?s Guide for EASY WEIGHT LOSS!

Weight loss is a hot topic among college students today,... Read More

Real Weight Loss Begins Today...With Cliff Kuhn, M.D.s Fun Factor Diet!

Weight Loss is something that many Americans struggle with. In... Read More

7 Reasons Low Carb Diets are Wrong

The human body is designed to run best on a... Read More

Weight Loss Recipe: Avocado, Walnut & Crispy Bacon Salad

Losing weight doesn't have to be boring when you focus... Read More

Fat, Fat Go Away

I am Dr Patrick Flanagan, and this is the latest... Read More

What is Real Hunger?

In order to identify hunger, you must first understand what... Read More

Your Metabolism and Fat Loss

If you know someone that has been trying to lose... Read More

Fast Weight Loss -- The Healthiest Fast Weight Loss Plan

In general, fast weight loss is not healthy. The faster... Read More

Simple Weight Loss Plan

The math is pretty simple. One pound of fat equals... Read More

Movie Star Weight Loss Secrets ? Kathy Smiths Former Personal Trainer Speaks Out!

In the early nineties I had the opportunity to work... Read More

Magnetic Weight Loss -- Does It Work?

Magnetic weight loss is the newest fad diet supplement to... Read More

Mastering the Motivation to Stay Fit

Have you ever just felt like you were doing everything... Read More

Fibre And Weight Loss: How Closely Are They Connected?

The incidences of deseases like obesity, diabetes, colon deseases etc.are... Read More

Top Thirty Weight Loss Tips and Tricks

Here are some everyday, helpful hints to get you started,... Read More

The Importance of Vitamins when Dieting

In our quest to get that "perfect" body, we actually... Read More

The Lost Road of a Failed Gastric Bypass Surgery

In 1994, I had a RNY surgery. At 350 lbs... Read More

Burning Fat vs. Burning Calories

To lose weight and get in shape you must have... Read More

Confessions From A Fat Doctor

I never intended to get fat! I am not exactly... Read More

Overcoming the 7 Roadblocks to Maintaining Weight Loss

1. Become aware of what you are eating.Before I started... Read More

7 Useful Tips That Will Help You Lose Weight

1. Increase your fiber intake. The body needs a lot... Read More

Cycle Your Way To Weight Loss

Of all the possible exercises there are to help you... Read More

The Diet Debate Ended

Which diet is the best? ALL of them and NONE... Read More

Is Obesity a Disease? And What Should Be Done About It?

You have noticed your obese friend suddenly slimmer. You want... Read More

How Does Phentermine Work? Learn Pros & Cons Of Phentermine For Weight Loss

Phentermine, like many other prescription drugs, works with chemicals called... Read More

Failed at Weight Loss: Heres Hope

All Diets Work: No Diets WorkHave you lost weight in... Read More

What Obesity Debate?

This is a perfect example of how on-line weight loss... Read More

Weight Loss Benefits of Massage

There is no question that having a massage makes you... Read More

Dieting? Mental Activity is as Important as Physical

Activity means both mental and physical activity.Mental activity is similar... Read More