BONES
Test your Calcium IQ
Everyone knows that calcium is important for strong bones and teeth. But do you know how to ensure you are getting optimal amounts of calcium?
True or False.
The more calcium a supplement has, the better.
False. The recommended daily intake of calcium is 1100 mg for persons 2 years of age and older. But it is nearly impossible to absorb all of that calcium at once. According to research, calcium is best absorbed when taken in 300–500 mg servings. Amounts much greater than this are not absorbed well.
All types of calcium are created equal.
False. In nature, minerals do not exist on their own, rather they are chemically bound to other substances. Calcium binds with carbon to form calcium carbonate and with citric acid to form calcium citrate. Which substance calcium is bonded to will determine the amount of pure calcium, or elemental calcium, the compound contains. Calcium carbonate, for instance, is 40% calcium and 60% carbon, so 1000 mg of calcium carbonate contains 400 mg of elemental calcium. Calcium citrate is only 21% calcium, so the same amount of it contains a mere 210 mg of elemental calcium. It is important to note that the recommended daily intake of calcium is based on the amount of elemental calcium contained within a compound and not on the amount of the compound itself.
Stress can adversely affect calcium absorption.
True. Calcium and other minerals require adequate amounts of stomach acid for absorption. Stress can reduce production of this acid, thereby impairing the body’s ability to absorb calcium. Other factors that adversely affect stomach acid production include age, pain (especially headache) and past infection with the Helicobacter pylori bacteria (the bacteria believed to be responsible for peptic ulcers). If you experience heartburn, gas and bloating within 30 minutes of eating, feelings of nausea after taking a supplement or are iron deficient, you may have inadequate stomach acid production.
Taking calcium and magnesium is enough to prevent or treat osteoporosis.
False. Magnesium is an important co-factor for calcium absorption, but alone is not enough to ensure calcium will be assimilated into bone tissue. Studies show there are several co-factors required for calcium to be absorbed. In addition to magnesium, these include zinc, boron, essential fatty acids, vitamins C, D and K and phosphorous.
A calcium supplement with phosphorous is more effective.
False. While phosphorous is required for calcium absorption, studies show we already get too much of it in our diet. The average male gets 150% of the recommended amount of phosphorous and the average female, 100%. What’s more, with our increasing reliance on processed foods, phosphorous intake is on the rise. Too much phosphorous can cause bones to harden and become brittle, damage organs and interfere with the body’s ability to use iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc.
Essential fatty acids aid in calcium absorption.
True. Studies show that calcium absorption is greatly enhanced by essential fatty acids (EFAs). These healthy fats, which can only be obtained through diet, help ensure calcium is deposited into bone tissue rather than soft tissue, where it can cause dangerous calcifications. Animal studies suggest that primrose oil and fish oil are more effective in preventing bone loss than other fatty acids. Unfortunately, most people do not get an adequate amount of EFAs from their diet, so if you are taking a calcium supplement without EFAs, it is likely not being adequately absorbed.
Most likely I get enough calcium from my diet.
False. Calcium is not produced by the human body and must be obtained through the diet. Regrettably, most North Americans do not consume enough of this important mineral. A 2004 report by the US Surgeon General warned that by 2020 half of the population over 50 will be at risk for bone fracture unless our diet habits change. The good news is taking a calcium supplement can help. A recent study in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet reported that taking a calcium supplement reduces the risk of bone fracture by 12% in people 50 years and over.
When calcium is absorbed it gets deposited into the bones.
False. It is a little known fact that once calcium is absorbed, there is no guarantee that it will be deposited in the bones; regardless of the amount you take. Calcium tends to gravitate towards areas of soft tissue injury in the body, especially the discs between the vertebrae, the arteries and the kidneys. Experts believe these calcifications outside the bone, known as ectopic calcifications, may be more dangerous than osteoporosis itself. Several studies have shown that EFAs prevent ectopic calcifications by improving calcium absorption, reducing calcium excretion and increasing bone density.
To learn more about Platinum Naturals' Calcium products, click here.
Information for educational purposes only. A health practitioner should be consulted prior to use.
BONESTest your Calcium IQEveryone knows that calcium is important for strong bones and teeth. But do you know how to ensure you are getting optimal amounts of calcium? True or False.The more calcium a supplement has, the better.False. The recommended daily intake of calcium is 1100 mg for persons 2 years of age and older. But it is nearly impossible to absorb all of that calcium at once. According to research, calcium is best absorbed when taken in 300–500 mg servings. Amounts much greater than this are not absorbed well.All types of calcium are created equal.False. In nature, minerals do not exist on their own, rather they are chemically bound to other substances. Calcium binds with carbon to form calcium carbonate and with citric acid to form calcium citrate. Which substance calcium is bonded to will determine the amount of pure calcium, or elemental calcium, the compound contains. Calcium carbonate, for instance, is 40% calcium and 60% carbon, so 1000 mg of calcium carbonate contains 400 mg of elemental calcium. Calcium citrate is only 21% calcium, so the same amount of it contains a mere 210 mg of elemental calcium. It is important to note that the recommended daily intake of calcium is based on the amount of elemental calcium contained within a compound and not on the amount of the compound itself.Stress can adversely affect calcium absorption.True. Calcium and other minerals require adequate amounts of stomach acid for absorption. Stress can reduce production of this acid, thereby impairing the body’s ability to absorb calcium. Other factors that adversely affect stomach acid production include age, pain (especially headache) and past infection with the Helicobacter pylori bacteria (the bacteria believed to be responsible for peptic ulcers). If you experience heartburn, gas and bloating within 30 minutes of eating, feelings of nausea after taking a supplement or are iron deficient, you may have inadequate stomach acid production.Taking calcium and magnesium is enough to prevent or treat osteoporosis.False. Magnesium is an important co-factor for calcium absorption, but alone is not enough to ensure calcium will be assimilated into bone tissue. Studies show there are several co-factors required for calcium to be absorbed. In addition to magnesium, these include zinc, boron, essential fatty acids, vitamins C, D and K and phosphorous.A calcium supplement with phosphorous is more effective.False. While phosphorous is required for calcium absorption, studies show we already get too much of it in our diet. The average male gets 150% of the recommended amount of phosphorous and the average female, 100%. What’s more, with our increasing reliance on processed foods, phosphorous intake is on the rise. Too much phosphorous can cause bones to harden and become brittle, damage organs and interfere with the body’s ability to use iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc.Essential fatty acids aid in calcium absorption.True. Studies show that calcium absorption is greatly enhanced by essential fatty acids (EFAs). These healthy fats, which can only be obtained through diet, help ensure calcium is deposited into bone tissue rather than soft tissue, where it can cause dangerous calcifications. Animal studies suggest that primrose oil and fish oil are more effective in preventing bone loss than other fatty acids. Unfortunately, most people do not get an adequate amount of EFAs from their diet, so if you are taking a calcium supplement without EFAs, it is likely not being adequately absorbed.Most likely I get enough calcium from my diet.False. Calcium is not produced by the human body and must be obtained through the diet. Regrettably, most North Americans do not consume enough of this important mineral. A 2004 report by the US Surgeon General warned that by 2020 half of the population over 50 will be at risk for bone fracture unless our diet habits change. The good news is taking a calcium supplement can help. A recent study in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet reported that taking a calcium supplement reduces the risk of bone fracture by 12% in people 50 years and over.When calcium is absorbed it gets deposited into the bones.False. It is a little known fact that once calcium is absorbed, there is no guarantee that it will be deposited in the bones; regardless of the amount you take. Calcium tends to gravitate towards areas of soft tissue injury in the body, especially the discs between the vertebrae, the arteries and the kidneys. Experts believe these calcifications outside the bone, known as ectopic calcifications, may be more dangerous than osteoporosis itself. Several studies have shown that EFAs prevent ectopic calcifications by improving calcium absorption, reducing calcium excretion and increasing bone density.To learn more about Platinum Naturals' Calcium products, click here. |
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