The Calcium Connection

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The Calcium Connection

JoAnn Guest

Apr 25, 2006 12:24 PDT

 

 

 

 

RoseMarie Pierce, B.Sc. Pharm., " The Holistic Pharmacist "

 

The Calcium Connection

 

http://www.sunstreams.ca/CalciumConnection.htm

 

Experts say that between one-third to three-quarters of North

American women of all ages are calcium deficient. Who needs extra

calcium? Women who show a definite need for extra calcium include

those who are adolescent, pregnant, breastfeeding, and menopausal.

Among the elderly, up to 90% of women and men are not getting enough

calcium to prevent bone loss.

 

This is due, in part, to the body's decreasing ability to

absorb calcium with age. Certain types of medications increase the

likelihood of calcium deficiency.

 

These medications include: cortisone, prednisone, antibiotics,

certain diuretics (Lasix), antacids and other substances containing

aluminums (processed cheese, pickles, baking powder,

antiperspirants, alum), and

ulcer medications such as Tagamet, Pepcid, and Zantac.

 

In human blood, a ratio of 2.5 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus is

optimal. Ingesting large amounts of phosphorus-containing foods

(animal

meat, dairy and cola drinks) creates an excess of phosphorus in the

blood stream. This causes the body to pull calcium out of the bones

to

balance the calcium/phosphorus ratio. Alcohol and coffee drinkers

need

extra calcium as well. Drinking more than 2 cups of coffee a day

causes

calcium depletion. It also depletes the body's stores of Vitamin C,

B1,

potassium and zinc. Women are especially susceptible to the effects

of

caffeine. It takes at least twice as long for the liver to detoxify

caffeine from the female body as it does from the male body, says

Dr.

Christiane Northrup in " Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom. "

 

Alcohol, fatty foods, salt and sugar hinder the absorption and

increase

the excretion of calcium. Cigarette smoking is associated with

decreased

 

estrogen activity and also with Vitamin B6 deficiency (needed for

production of progesterone). Both estrogen and progesterone are

needed

to keep calcium in the bones.

 

Many of the above factors upset the body's biochemistry and cause a

calcium deficiency. How do we keep adequate calcium levels in the

body?

Adult bone building requires about 600 mg of calcium a day. Calcium

needs should be met by consuming a healthy, balanced diet. Yet, poor

lifestyle choices and unhealthy food choices contribute to excessive

loss of calcium through the urine, states Dr. Karen Jensen in her

book

" Menopause. " On average, North Americans absorb about 30% of the

calcium

 

that is present in our diets, says Brenda Davis R.D., co-author of

" Becoming Vegan. " If we take into account the amount lost in the

urine,

the amount retained in the body may be as little as 10% of what was

originally present in the diet.

 

Do we need to consume more milk? Most people are aware that one cup

of

milk or an ounce of cheese contains significant calcium (290mg.).

Yet,

there is a concern about the appropriateness of cow's milk as a

source

of calcium. Dairy is frequently the cause of food allergies due to

the

ingestion of the protein casein. Three out of four North Americans

have

some degree of lactose intolerance and suffer digestive complaints

when

consuming dairy products. An enzyme from dairy called xanthine

oxidase

is implicated in damaging arterial walls and aggravating

atherosclerosis!

 

Healthier choices for calcium might include dark leafy green and see

vegetables, broccoli, legumes, nuts, figs, and fortified soymilk.

One

cup of most green vegetables contains as much calcium as a glass of

milk. Vegetables and fruits also contain protective phyto-chemicals,

while dairy products include saturated fats and cholesterol. To

enhance

absorption of minerals, drizzle a little lemon juice or a half-

teaspoon

of raw organic apple cider vinegar over vegetables, making them more

acidic. This stimulates the body's production of digestive enzymes.

(Minerals are more easily digested and absorbed with high stomach

acidity.)

 

Are calcium supplements of value? Increasing calcium intake with

high-level calcium supplementation (1,500 mg or more) can be harmful

without its companion nutrients, states Susan Brown, Ph. D., " Better

Bones, Better Body. " Dr. Brown believes we need a total of 17

nutrients

to maintain and build healthy bones. In order to absorb and

assimilate

calcium, important minerals such as magnesium, zinc, copper,

silicon,

manganese, boron and important vitamins such as D, B6, C, K, folic

acid

are necessary. Furthermore, not all calcium supplements are created

equally. Many are composed of calcium in the form of calcium

carbonate,

which is essentially chalk. Calcium carbonate is also an antacid

(c.f.

Tums) which, in decreasing stomach acidity, ironically also reduces

calcium absorption! More absorbable forms of calcium include calcium

chelate, calcium citrate or microcrystalline calcium hydroxyapatite

(a

whole bone extract). It is important to take calcium and magnesium

in a

proper ratio, which varies between 1:1 and 2:1, depending upon

dietary

intake and other factors.

 

Ensure maximum calcium intake by supplementing the diet with a

balanced,

 

quality bone-building formula containing an absorbable form of

calcium,

in the appropriate calcium to magnesium ratio, along with the

required

companion nutrients.

 

 

 

 

 

RoseMarie Pierce, B.Sc.Pharm, Holistic Pharmacist has over 30 years

of

extensive experience and a passionate interest in holistic health

and

health products. She currently practices from her home in Calgary

and

can be reached by phone at 403-243-8916 or via www.sunstreams.ca.

RoseMarie is also an author, a product formulator, and a lecturer

and

workshop leader within the natural health industry.

_________________

 

 

JoAnn Guest

mrs-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets