C Diff and Calcium/Vitamin D levels

Old Mike, this was really interesting.

It also sparks the imagination in regards to the fact that there are probably many strains of bacteria which consume or are fueled by certain food types and enzymes.

I could be way off, but it makes me wonder if this is why some people who switch their diets get better (or worse) because it would necessarily change the mix of gut bugs?

I can't wait for all of this micro biome science to be perfected !

Well, this could be highly significant to those who use steroids regularly and then turn around and ramp up their calcium intake to avoid osteoporosis.

And even I was thinking about boosting my intake now that my doctor has suggested I eliminate dairy.

I have been eating spinach almost daily, and even though spinach contains large amounts of calcium, I read recently that it also contains oxalic acid which binds to calcium and prevents it from being absorbed.

Gotta find that happy medium somehow. I am going to start making my own yogurt and kefir. Just ordered water kefir grains yesterday and got an instant pot with a yogurt setting. Luckily the diet I am following allows for those 2 things (and a small amount of hard cheese as well).

This is actually HUGE for those folks who seem to have recurring c.diff infections though. Time to reevaluate this calcium situation.

Paying close attention to assisting digestion and absorption of calcium is another good idea. I've read that it should be balanced 2:1 with magnesium, other sources say 1:1 and other than that some nutrients are also needed for good calcium uptake, such as vitamin D and K and potassium.

This is so interesting, a lot to consider! I might bring that study to my GI and nurse next week.

I've got recurrent c-diff in the past. I got treated everytime with antibiotic, prednisone and calcium+vitD. From the study, this big extra amount of calcium might even have helped Vanco to do his job or not lol
(never got FMT, on the third infection, Vanco did the job, finally!)

But in between, I got flare with a negative stool test. I was treated with the pred and calcium+vit D, and tested positive later for c-diff...

Food for thoughts, thanks Old Mike!

Just been reading this one myself. It's no wonder when we are so susceptible when you look at the collection of meds we are often put on - steroids lowering the immune system, calcium supps while on steroids to prevent bone thinning, PPIs to protect the stomach lining when on steroids, plus an ill bowel not absorbing calcium.

Interestingly an endocrinologist I saw told me not to take calcium supps when on steroids as he saw bad outcomes in his patients without IBD even for their digestion.

On the other hand, the article seems to be suggesting that, if you are on the correct antibiotics, flooding the system with calcium so all the spores break open and are caught could flush it out

This reminds me too of the research that unabsorbed iron in the bowel feeds certain pathogens like e coli - many people take iron supplements while in flare too who do now know this. What a bad cocktail of bugs we may be breeding with these common supplements...

@Poppie, if you do, make sure to follow the good techniques to help your body absorb it, because as the article states---undigested calcium can be dangerous to a person carrying c.diff.....I posted a link to a great resource that tells best practices. Here is a small list of tips:

---Buy a supplement in a capsule, liquid or powdered form instead of a harder tablet or caplet that are often harder to dissolve and release the elemental calcium.


--Know how much elemental calcium is in the supplement. This will be listed on the label as Calcium XXX mg (as the form in parenthesis).


--Do not use bonemeal, oyster shell or dolomite as a source of calcium. The Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings that bonemeal and dolomite could be dangerous because these products may contain lead, aluminum or other undesirable elements.


--Get a very soluble, highly absorbable form. Chelated and ionic forms are good, safe bets.
Since the body cannot absorb more than 500 mg of calcium at a time, it is better to give smaller doses of calcium (500 mg or less) throughout the day rather than one large dose.


--Vitamins D and K help keep calcium in the bones. Most people do not need to supplement with extra vitamin D if they have adequate sunlight and eat other foods or mi