Be Clean…Be Lean…

We hear all the time that we need to take our calcium on a daily basis to promote good bone building. We also see all types of calcium being advertised.

There’s calcium-oxide, hydroxide, carbonate, citrate, acetate, aspartate, chelate, chloride, malate, gluconate, lactate, phosphate in addition to the most recent commercially hyped: Coral Calcium (from ground oyster shells).

We could go insane trying to keep up with all the different types available. How is someone supposed to know which one is the best to take?

Research shows that to assist calcium absorption for strong teeth and bones, a steady heartbeat and normal nerves, we need:

• Vitamins D as well as C (which converts to oxalate) plus A and F.

• Iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus.

• Lysine protein.

However there are anti-minerals, that reduce body calcium:

• Too much phosphorus!

• Saturated fat.

• Coffee (with caffeine).

• Excessive stress.

• Lack of exercise (leaching out bone calcium and into the blood.)

(Note: So does smoking reduce calcium absorption.)

But too much calcium intake will deplete magnesium which is crucial for proper body chemistry. (This often occurs with fortified pasteurized milk!)

What? You thought that “milk does a body good?” That’s a topic for another day.

Any magnesium deficiency must first be corrected. Then, calcium and magnesium supplementing should be taken together in a balanced proportion.

(Note: The elderly are particularly prone to decreased magnesium absorption.)

(Note: Too high calcium intake also puts men at risk of prostate trouble.)

So what’s the answer to taking the right kind of calcium?

The ideal is to take metallic calcium (i.e. calcium-oxide, calcium-hydroxide).

Calcium-lactate, calcium-citrate, calcium-carbonate (Tums, etc.) taken as separate supplements are seldom absorbed.

Of course, Tums is the most popular and cheap form of calcium. But, it’s a misconception it will help with a need for calcium. As to Oyster-Shell or the promoted Shark Cartilage and Coral sources of calcium, these are expensive and yet difficult to absorb.

So how much should we take?

The body needs to absorb 1000 – 2000mg total/day to avoid drawing it from bone storage.

Since Osteoporosis doesn’t care if you’re a man or woman, we are vulnerable to calcium bone loss with serious consequences of heart, spine trouble and broken bones.

This ideal source/form of absorbable calcium cannot only halt bone loss but uniquely increase bone mineral density up to 3% a year. A double-blind, crossover, placebo controlled, 2-year test comparison to calcium-carbonate on 57 women with average age of 80 proved this to be true. (See: www.publishedresearch.com )

None of the most promoted calcium supplements on the market can make that claim! That’s because in the worst cases: Up to 96% of those forms of calcium are unabsorbed and go out with urine and through the intestines!

Remember:

Under all circumstances, supplementing calcium must be done: With meals! That’s because whatever form is taken: It must be absorbed as a nutrient. Otherwise, it will not be absorbed and will stay in the blood; then, you have a circulation pollutant and risk forming kidney stones!

Caucasians are reputed to be poorer in absorbing calcium compared to Asians and Africans. Potassium-citrate [in lemonade] can help prevent calcium kidney stones.

Studies have confirmed that a low salt and low meat diet will considerably reduce the chance of forming painful kidney stones. This is also true from drinking more water!

Mealtime is when stomach acid is at its peak to start the breaking-down process of food. This is when the digestive process is begun and calcium is first separated from its bound form. Then, the separated nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine. But as we age, stomach acid is reduced.

That’s why we need the most efficient form of calcium to absorb: Calcium hydroxide/oxide! Vitamins D and B-6 is also essential for calcium absorption.

Even the cheapest calcium-carbonate form, taken with meals, is absorbed to some extent. Calcium-citrate costs more and you also have to take more of it; but it absorbs easier.

However, the citrate source is reputed to cause an increased absorption of toxic aluminum!

The Importance of Cleansing:

Luckily, being proactive can be easy with detoxification and keeping the body free of poisonous metals and toxins.

However, detoxification also removes necessary body minerals and electrolytes!

Electrolytes make up the electrically charged ions that help regulate water balance, acid and alkaline balance, osmotic pressure, nerve impulse conduction and muscle contraction.

Encountering headaches and sore muscles is often normal during the detoxification period; but they are also a warning that minerals and electrolytes are also being depleted!

Therefore, when an individual is undergoing any type of detoxification program, it is essential to replenish mineral reserves at the same time.

Supplementing with a combination of broad minerals is needed during this cleansing period unless your program is complete and has everything in it that you need.

There are programs available which will cleanse and replenish.

Be smart, be proactive, be clean!