Mr. Flybye, PharmD says calcium is best absorbed with vitamin D and some fat, that is why taking it with food is so important. The vitamin D isn't that essential in the summer if we are outside - which I believe we are, ahem, because that's where the bikes are - To his knowledge, their isn't anything in coffee that affects the absorption rate of calcium. Soda will affect the amount of calcium in the bones because it leeches calcium from the bones.

Also, I learned that using chewable antacids is not a good way to supplement calcium. That was what I was relying on to give me the calcium that I needed. I guess when you are dieting, even tums and children's chewables taste good b/c it is like having a candy I also have two dairy servings a day and that obviously wasn't working either. I don't like dairy - icky!! Two a day is PLENTY for me!

BTW - Mr. Flybye had told me all of this before, but I am a smidge on the stubborn side and didn't follow any of his advice. He's smilin' now, baby! Why, oh, why am I such a stubborn one sometimes?

I have recently been lifting weights, too, not for the bone density so much as the d@mn 10 pounds that insist on keeping their residency in my rear end. I guess that is a good double whammy!

Thanks for all of your advice - keep it coming and

Take your calcium tomorrow!!