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Does anyone know what kind of calcium and Vit. D is in these? My mother (82) started taking them, her doctor apparently never put her on any supplements. Just prescribed Actonel.<s>
My sister recommended the Vitactiv, but I'm suspicious. I told her what my doctor said, "Expensive candy with a few vitamins," but I'd rather have her eating these than taking no supplements at all, if the stuff in them is actually good for her. Thanks.
I can't help you with whether they're actually any good for you, but my OB/GYN recommended them. (They do taste good, but I don't trust or take them either.)
i tried them but they made me sick. Also, that sugar was not good for my hypoglycemia. But as you say, it is better than nothing.
I love the calcium softgels that burst in your stomach and are ready to be absorbed as they progress into our intestines. But, easy as they are to swallow, they are rather large and might be daunting to someone who is not used to taking supplements.
I take these along with my Calcium and D supplements. They are very tasty!
I don't remember what type of calcium or vit D is in Viactive but I do remember the drug rep gave them to our OB/GYN office for Free to hand out to patients.
We can also take the Viactiv flavor glides which contain much less sugar than the chews.
http://www.viactiv.com/products/index.jhtml?id=viactiv/multivitamins/multiV itaminFlavorGlides.inc
btw, the Calcium is calcium carbonate. I learned a few days ago, from this site's Calcium discussion, that we should take it with food.
The Viactiv milk chocolate chews and vanilla glides also contain vitamin K.
I alternate between the two formats, as the chews taste good and I don't like to swallow pills. But, to avoid too much sugar, I take the flavor glides also since they are easier to swallow than most pills.
<3 Sylvia
That's what I figured it might be, the inferior carbonate. I wonder what the D really is? Thanks.
Hi Gatekeeper,
You might try emailing the maker of Viactiv. That's what I did with both my calcium and strontium supplements. Both responded with alacrity.
Here's a link to their website. It says they contain D3. http://www.viactiv.com/products/index.jhtml?id=viactiv/calcium/whyD.inc
I've tasted the chocolate Viactive, and they weren't bad.
My calcium supplement comes as a powder in a gel capsule. Although large, they're quite easy to swallow.
Good luck.
Susan
Thanks Susan, I also take my calcium in a pill. I have no problem with pill swallowing, thankfully. Can take 4-5 at a time, but usually keep it to 3. ;-)
I just wanted to know what my mom was taking.
Hi Gatekeeper ~
I've read that your body can absorb only 500 +/- mg calcium at a time, so if you take more than that at one time, the extra is just going to waste. I take half of my calcium supplements in the morning and half later in the day.
Timing my supplements is becoming a juggling act because I can't take my strontium within 2 hours of the calcium or they'll cancel each other out. Same with my multi-vitamin with iron. Iron nullifies calcium. I should probably get a multi w/o iron, huh?
Tschüss! (that's "bye" in German)
Susan
Hi Susan, I also spread my calcium out. When I say I can take 4-5 capsules at a time, that's a mix of supplements. Currently in a 24 hour period I have 6 different times I take supplements. :-D ~ jan
I'm giving up Viactiv. Now, does anyone have any information on a truly quality calcium supplement? Is citrate significantly better than carbonate? Is gel easier to assimilate? What about a powder? Can anyone recommend a brand that offers solid value in terms of high quality plus reasonable cost? Many thanks. Better bones for all!
Hi AOS,
I haven't personally done the research, why I have a doctor who specializes in supplements and sells them below retail. What I purchase from her is Cal-Mag 50-50 by Natural Innovations Nutrition and Rebuild Osteoporosis Formula by Metabolic Maintenance. Both contain Calcium Citrate.
Cal-Mag is a 120 capsule bottle which I take 2/day. $13
Rebuild, 180 caps, 4/day. $21
Amazingly I pay no tax because they come from a doctor I guess? And considering I spend almost $300/month on supplements, more when I'm buying protein bars, that saves enough for a couple of bottles of supplements!
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