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.

---

6 Simple Steps To LifeLong Weight Loss

If You are sick of losing the same weight over... Read More

For All Walks of Life

Why Walking Could Be the Solution to Your Fitness Dilemma.Walk,... Read More

The Lost Road of a Failed Gastric Bypass Surgery

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

Does Ephedra Really Shed the Pounds Like It Promises? I Decided to Put It to the Test!

Since the reintroduction of Ephedra based products on about April... Read More

The Simplest Diet Plan Ever - 3 Easy Steps to Healthy Living

You've heard the popular advice on weight loss diets. Cut... Read More

Weight Loss Surgery: Benefits and Risks

You may be considering weight loss surgery if you are... Read More

The French Fry: Weapon of Mass Destruction?

Americans have their French fries, the British have their chips,... Read More

Body Composition And Weight Loss: They Are Related!

The world today has more obese and overweight people than... Read More

Want Power Before Will Power

The problem isn't that you don't have enough will power... Read More

New Weight Loss Plan -- Resistance Training

My last article, Make Diets Work, concluded that dieting the... Read More

Cafeteria At Fault for College Weight Gain

College weight gain is at an all time high, and... Read More

Children of Gastric Bypass Patients at Risk for Eating Disorders

As parents who've had gastric bypass we face many challenges... Read More

Where Diets Go Wrong

When we discover that we are heavier than we want... Read More

The Perfect Diet Combined with a Healthy Weight Management

The perfect diet should be combined with a healthy weight... Read More

Weight Loss from Exercise

Weight loss from exercise can be achieved by walking, running,... Read More

The Best Weight Loss Advice Youll Ever Get

"Who are you to give me weight loss advice?" I... Read More

How to Burn Fat: Doctors Proven Weight Loss Secret #1

Let me ask you a personal question. As you read... Read More

Finding a Weight Loss Program

Getting involved in Weight Loss Program can be intimidating for... Read More

Whats Wrong With Dr. Phils Food Plan?

I really like Dr. Phil, so I wanted to like... Read More

Americas Secret Addiction

America is a nation of self-disclosers, amiably acceptant of our... Read More

Is Losing Weight The Same As Losing Fat?

Contrary to common belief, your weight is not really the... Read More

Weight Loss: How to Get Rid of Excess You

Q: "I'm wondering if you can help me. I'm not... Read More

What are Fats?

Fat is fuel. That is basically what it is. A... Read More

Diet Pills And Safe Weight Loss: A Quick Guide To Diet Pills

Serious diet pills are intended for people who are overweight... Read More

How to End the Food Cravings with EFT

Breaking Down Cravings One at a TimeI know you've heard... Read More

7 Tips to Help You Beat Your Sugar Habit

Are you often overcome with an urge to splurge on... 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

How The Motto Be Prepared Can Help You Lose Weight

Be Prepared. For the Boy Scouts it means you are... Read More

Trying To Lose Weight? Heres A Low Carb Tip If Its White, Dont Eat It.

Dr. Hagglund's Healthy Eating Tips(All wheat products, bananas*, breads, rice,... Read More

The Hated Cellulite Cure That Works

Cellulite is not a medical condition or an aesthetic mutiny... Read More

Grains and Weight Loss--Do Whole Grains Help You Lose Weight?

Whole grains and weight loss have a definite, scientific, and... Read More

Questioning Cardio for Weight Loss?

Q: I've heard you mention that you don't need tons... Read More

Weight Loss Frustrations? Slippery Slopes ? One Fall And Down You May Go!

If you have ever been snow skiing you know that... Read More