As an essential nutrient, calcium is required to build and maintain healthy bones, teeth, hair and nails. The mineral works at a cellular level, contributing to the smallest structures in your body. A deficiency of calcium can lead to brittle bones and osteoporosis; when taking medications like Prilosec, discuss with your doctor the possibility of taking a calcium supplement.
Prilosec
According to The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Prilosec is one of several brand names for the drug omeprazole. Prescription omeprazole is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, which causes flow of acid from the stomach into the esophagus. Sufferers may have general chest discomfort, heartburn or damage to their esophagus. Omeprazole helps suppress stomach acid, or reduce stomach acid in the case of overproduction, allowing the esophagus to heal. The drug is also used alone or in combination with other drugs to treat ulcers.
Calcium Absorption
Calcium requires an acidic environment in order to break down for absorption into the bloodstream. When taking a proton pump inhibitor medication like Prilosec, which works by reducing the production of stomach acid, you are less able to effectively digest and absorb calcium. This can result in a negative calcium balance, according to Paulina Villaseca, a Faculty of Medicine at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile in Santiago, Chile. Low amounts of calcium puts you at greater risk of bone density loss and fractures, especially in the elderly or those suffering from osteoporosis.
Types of Calcium Supplements
The two most popular forms of calcium supplements are calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. Calcium carbonate usually costs less than calcium citrate and is just as effective. While calcium carbonate is best taken with meals, calcium citrate can be taken at any time. The University of Michigan Health System recommends that those who take Prilosec take calcium citrate supplements, rather than calcium carbonate. According to the Susan Ott, MD, Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington, those individuals with acholorhidia, or low levels of stomach acid, more easily absorb the citrate form of calcium.
Ways to Increase Calcium Supply
In addition to taking a calcium supplement while you are on Prilosec, pay special attention to your everyday diet in order to meet your daily calcium need of between 1,000 and 1,300 mg calcium per day. Increase your consumption of foods high in calcium, while at the same time avoiding those that are high in fat and calories. Low-fat or skim milk and yogurt supply between 300 and 425 mg calcium per serving, while 1 cup of rhubarb supplies almost 350 mg. Vegetables and legumes that are high in calcium include leafy greens, broccoli, white beans, okra, tofu and soybeans. Seafood can also be a good source of calcium, especially fish canned with the bones, salmon and oysters.
References
- University of Michigan Health System: Calcium and Vitamin D
- PubMed Health: The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists: Omeprazole; 2011
- International Menopause Society: The Effect of Proton Pump-inhibiting Drugs on Mineral Metabolism; Paulina Villaseca; May, 2009
- National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: Calcium
- University of Washington: Calcium to Treat and Prevent Osteoporosis; September. 2010 Susan Ott, MD;
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