Calcium Lactate & Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the 12-month period leading into menopause. Symptoms include hot flashes, menstrual irregularity, difficulty sleeping, vaginal and bladder problems, and changes in mood, sexual function and cholesterol levels. Because of decreasing levels of the hormone estrogen, women begin to lose bone density at a rate faster than your body replaces it; this elevates your risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weak, brittle bones. Ask your doctor if calcium lactate would be beneficial.

Calcium Lactate

Calcium lactate is one of several types of calcium that may help treat calcium deficiencies. Inadequate calcium intake can cause health problems because calcium is necessary for many bodily functions, particularly maintaining and forming bone. Although potentially beneficial, calcium lactate may cause side effects or an allergic reaction. Possible side effects include nausea, appetite loss, increased urination, constipation and dry mouth, hives, trouble breathing, and facial or throat swelling could indicate an allergy. Store calcium lactate at room temperature and away from heat and moisture. Your body absorbs calcium lactate best if you take it with food.

Osteoporosis

Certain people tolerate different types of calcium better than others and no form is superior to others for preventing osteoporosis, according to Go Ask Alice, a service of Columbia University. What does matter is that you get sufficient elemental calcium. Product labels list total calcium and elemental calcium. Women older than 9 years of age require around 1,000 to 1,300 milligrams of elemental calcium daily. Do not take more than your doctor recommends. Taking more than 2,000 milligrams per day may elevate your risk of kidney stones, according to "Doctor Susan Love's Menopause and Hormone Book" by Dr. Susan M. Love and Karen Lindsey.

Absorption Factors

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows supplement manufactures to state that calcium has a protective effect on bone mass, which is one of the few health claims the organization permits. An intake of 800 to 1,500 milligrams of calcium daily may help prevent osteoporosis, particularly in girls and premenopausal women, but not in women who are three years past menopause, according to research reported on the Sutter Health website. Sutter Health is a nonprofit organization that treats patients in more than100 cities and towns in Northern California.

Considerations

A study conducted on pre-menopausal and perimenopausal women found that fat and fiber plays an important role in calcium absorption. The study was published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in August 2000. Results showed that the patients' ability to absorb calcium varied significantly. Patient's body mass index -- which measure weight in relation to height -- dietary fiber intake, dietary fat intake, physical activity, alcohol consumption and vitamin D levels in the blood affected how well they could absorb calcium. The most significant finding though was the relationship between amount of fat consumed and dietary fiber.