The Calcium Debate
Most everyone knows that Calcium is an important nutrient for optimum health. It is present in many foods we eat, as well as most vitamin supplements. What most people do not know, is that without taking the proper supplements, very few people get the daily requirement they need. And, there are several reasons for that.
Calcium is required by every cell in the body, it is essential for good digestion, and new research indicates a deficiency can lead to heart problems. Osteoporosis is at an all time epidemic in the U.S., and the medical community is at a loss to explain why that might be so. Also, I should point out that osteoporosis is not just a disease many women suffer with, more men are coming down with the disease as well. How can this be? Calcium supplements abound. Dairy products are said to be an excellent source of Calcium. Many prepared foods are Calcium fortified. So, why are so many people Calcium deficient today?
The average adult needs between 1000 and 1500mg. of daily Calcium. That many milligrams of Calcium would be hard to put into your average vitamin supplement, or at a minimum it would be some horse pill to swallow. Generally, women require more Calcium than men because of their menstrual cycle. So pharmacies, grocery stores and health food stores have shelves full of Calcium supplements. The problem is that most Calcium supplements are not formulated correctly.
Most Calcium supplements found on store shelves contain Calcium Carbonate, which is the same as chalk. The Carbonate form of Calcium is one of the most abundant minerals on the planet. It is the cheapest form of Calcium, and it part explains why so many Calcium supplements include it in their tablets. The problem starts with this; if you put a piece of chalk into a beaker of Hydrochloric acid, nothing happens. Calcium Carbonate does not react with HCL. So our stomach acid cannot begin to digest Calcium. Other forms of Calcium have been shown to be much better absorbed that Carbonate. One of the most easily absorbed forms of Calcium is Calcium Citrate. Even taking the best form is no assurance of proper absorption since there are more criteria for a good Calcium supplement. Calcium must been taken with magnesium in a 2:1 ratio for proper absorption. So if a supplement has 500mg. of Calcium per tablet, 250mg. of Magnesium needs to be present. Absorption is further enhanced by Vitamin D, and Boron being present.
I talk to many customers who suffer with Osteoporosis. I make sure to point out to all who will hear me on the importance of taking the right kind of Calcium supplement. Osteoporosis relates to a Calcium deficiency, and baring the prevalence of available Calcium in a good diet, the body goes looking for it. So starting with the extremities, the toes and finger tips, the bones develop a porous nature where the body is basically cannibalizing itself for its Calcium needs. Taking the right form of Calcium as in a good progressive Calcium tablet, the body will begin to fill in the pores in the bones where it 'borrowed' the Calcium.
Many people miss the importance of Calcium on the most basic level. Signs of a Calcium deficiency may include leg cramps, insomnia, irregular heartbeat,nervous disorders, arthritic suffering and brittle bone disease or Osteoporosis. I can not stress enough the importance of proper supplementation with this mineral. Personally, I prefer the orange flavored Calcium supplements in chewable form. I would recommend the brand name Twinlabs, or Solgar as being good Calcium supplements. I can guarantee most anyone will notice the difference in just a day or two when taking the right form of Calcium. Calcium Citrate is considered the most absorbable form of Calcium, and can even be taken on an empty stomach. There is much debate in the health industry over more progressive forms of Calcium, the elemental value and bio availability of each etc. I do not want to attempt to solve the debate here, except to say, Calcium Citrate with magnesium is probably your safest bet. And when you feel a difference in taking it, it is probably working well for you.
One more thing. While I love milk and cheese, Calcium Carbonate is the form of Calcium present in most dairy products. Without magnesium present, likely very little is absorbed. That may explain why I talk to so many people who eat lots of dairy, and still suffer with Osteoporosis. Yogurt may be the better source of Calcium since the bacteria present may help with assimilation. So, remember to take your Calcium, and pay us a visit at www.westernherbal.com with your health questions. Our customer service is always ready to help and can be reached toll free at 800-223-3036.
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