Common Vitamins and Minerals Flashcards
What is the percentage of elemental calcium is in each of the three types of calcium? (carbonate, citrate, lactate, gluconate)
carbonate: 40%
citrate: 21%
lactate: 18%
gluconate: 9%
For optimal absorption, calcium doses should not exceed ____ of elemental calcium?
500 mg
What should be done if there is a higher amount of calcium needed than 500 mg?
you should divide the doses throughout the day (bid to tid dosing)
What is considered to be elemental calcium?
the amount of calcium that the body is able to absorb - the body is able to absorb most of the calcium carbonate because it has the most elemental calcium
What is the most effective calcium supplement?
- calcium carbonate
Describe calcium carbonate
- best calcium absorption occurs in an acid environment, and therefore should be taken with meals
- cheapest option
- often first line
- well tolerated
When is calcium citrate generally needed?
- needed when there is an increased gastric pH (in patients that are on H2 blockers, IBS or absorption disorders)
- may be taken on an empty stomach
- has less elemental calcium vs carbonate, therefore more doses may be needed
What other element can natural calcium supplements from oyster shells or bone meal contain?
- contains some lead - not likely an issue as calcium blocks lead absorption
What is the purpose of having magnesium as part of a calcium supplement?
- has a laxative effect- helps to decrease the effect of constipation from the calcium supplement
What can excess ingestion of calcium potentially lead to?
- ingestion of calcium can potentially cause kidney stones, milk-alkali syndrome or renal insufficiency
Preparations containing more than ____ of elemental iron are considered NAPRA schedule 2
30 mg
What must all dietary iron be reduced to?
the ferrous form - therefore ferrous iron is absorbed more readily than the ferric form
Where does most iron absorption occur?
- in the detail duodenum and proximal jejunum
What is the effect of EC or sustained release iron?
- iron release occurs further down the intestinal tract – means that they are ineffective supplement options as they release past the duodenum which is the sire of absorption
When is the only time that iron supplementation should occur?
- known or suspected iron deficiency
- increased need for iron
What can happen when there is excess iron stored in tissues and organs?
- may lead to cirrhosis, or heart failure - does this when there is excessive iron because a lot of iron storage is in the liver
What is the amount of elemental iron that is in different formulations?
gluconate: 12%
sulfate: 20%
fumarate: 33%