By Jonathan Evans
Herbal Information Specialist/Business Representative for the Herbarium
Recently, the Herbarium has received many phone calls from people concerned about recent reports that taking supplemental calcium is doing them more harm than good.
Calcium can be bad for you? Yes… and no.
Let’s back up and take a look at where all this confusion is coming from. Back in October, the mainstream media reported on a study from Britain that confirmed what American researchers have been telling people for years. Too much calcium is contributing to hardening of the arteries, kidney stones, constipation and other serious problems.
Needless to say, the National Osteoporosis Foundation was not happy with this report. They estimate 54 million Americans run the risk of fractures due to bone thinning, and recommend supplementing with calcium.
So who is right? Strangely, both are.
Let me explain the problem. The calcium being used – and suggested by most experts –is generally calcium carbonate, which, though cheap and abundant, is also the worst form of calcium to take. Calcium carbonate is the main ingredient in Tums, an antacid. You need stomach acid to break down a mineral such as calcium. As we age, we produce less stomach acid, then we take carbonate, which neutralizes the acid and, well, you get the idea. In this respect, the researchers are correct in saying taking that kind of calcium supplement is no good – the calcium used in supplements such as Caltrate, Os-Cal, the drug store/ discount brands are not the proper form to give patients the most benefit. There are chelated forms of calcium such as citrate, malate, bisglycinate that are denser and better absorbed and utilized by the body.
Because the research only studies calcium, the results are always the same. However, if they looked at the research showing the importance of magnesium in calcium supplementation and started doing studies using both, the information might be more accurate.
Simply put, without magnesium, you do not absorb the calcium, and without the magnesium you do not activate any available Vitamin D, which is also important for bone development. Research, therefor needs to look at magnesium and its effects on calcium absorption.
Finally, osteoporosis is not a problem that should be associated with lack of calcium intake. Heaven knows Americans consume vast quantities of calcium, from dairy products and fortified foods. Actually, dairy products are one big reason we have such a problem with osteoporosis. The massive amounts of protein in milk results in a 50 percent loss of calcium in the urine. In other words, by doubling your protein intake there can be a loss of 1 to 1.5 percent skeletal mass per year in postmenopausal women.
It is important to take your supplemental calcium as long as it is the proper form and balanced with magnesium.
Jonathan
Please send your questions on botanical remedies to Natures Rx: Jonathan Evans via email at herbarium258@gmail.com, or by regular mail to: The Herbarium, 264 Exchange St., Chicopee, Mass. 01013. If requesting additional information from Evans, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
