Since antacids neutralize stomach acid they are obviously not the best choice for a calcium supplement. Starting at about the age of 30, stomach secretion of HCl gradually decreases. Many of the elderly are deficient in HCl production and malabsoption of nutrients, particularly calcium, is a common finding in this age group. And just like the aspirin manufacturers, they have figured out a way to increase their sales by dupping the public into believing that they should be popping their tablets on a daily basis like a vitamin pill. But my doctor recommended that I take an antacid as a calcium supplement.
Doctors are also victims of the scam.
You would be amazed at the advertisements for antacids that appear in the medical publications that doctors read. The drug manufacturers figured out a long time ago that if they would target doctors with their advertising, then the doctors would pass the information on to their patients. The fact is, most doctors know less about nutrition than their patients. Dairy products certainly do contain calcium. A cup of cow's milk contains about 300 milligrams.