Test Your Calcium IQ..

We all know that calcium is important for strong bones and teeth.  But do we kknow how to make sure we are getting what our body needs?

Let’s see how much you know:  Answer TRUE or FALSE to these statements and the read the truth about each one further down.

1. The more calcium a supplement has, the better.  T or F
2. All types of calcium are created equal. T or F
3. Stress can adversely affect calcium absorption. T or F
4. Taking calcium and magnesium is enough to prevent or treat osteoporosis. T or F
5. A calcium supplement with phosphorous is more effective. T or F
6. Essential fatty acids aid in calcium absorption. T or F
7. I get enough calcium from my diet. T or F
8. When absorbed, calcium gets deposited into the bones. T or F

Ready for the answers?

1. False. We supposedly need 1100mg per day, but do we absorb it all? No.  Research has shown that taken in 300-500mg servings, calcium is best absorbed.
2. False. Calcium binds with carbon to form calcium carbonate and with citric acid to from calcium citrate.  When it bonds, that will be determined by the amount of pure calcium or elemental calcium the compound contains.  So 1000mg of calcium carbonate is 40% mg of elemental calcium and 60% carbon.  As to calcium citrate, only 21% of it is calcium.  So it’s important to note that the recommended daily intake is bases on the amount of elemental calcium in a compound and not on the amount of the compound itself.
3. True. Yes, stress can affect calcium and other minerals as it reduces the amount of stomach acid we produce in order to absorb it.  If you get gas, bloating or nausea after taking a supplement, this could be a good indicator of low stomach acid.
4. False. Magnesium is not enough to ensure calcium absorption into bone tissue.  There should also be zinc, boron, essential fatty acids, vitamins C, D, and K and phosphorous.
5. False. Adding phosphorous to your diet may not be the way to go as we get too much in our diet already.  Processed foods is a big deliverer of phosphorous which an overabundance can cause bones to harden and become brittle.
6. True. Calcium is enhanced by essential fatty acids(EFAs). They help ensure calcium is deposited into bone tissue rather than soft tissue.  Primrose oil and fish oil are recommended.
7. False. We can’t produce calcium so must get it from our diet.  Our food is nutrient deficient and so must look to supplementing with a supplement of the highest quality.
8. False. There is no guarantee that calcium will get deposited in your bones, no matter how much you take.  It tends to gravitate towards areas of soft tissue injury in the body, especially the discs between the vertebrae, the arteris and the kineys.  It is thought that these calcifications may be more dangerous than osteoporosis itserlf.   Taking EFAs has been shown to prevent this process from happening.

So how did you do?  I hope that you learned a few along the way too.

Tags: calcium, EFAs