Calcium - General Range: 1000 mg to 1300 mg daily Vitamin D - General Range: 200 international units to 800 international units daily Note: While much larger vitamin D dosages have been recommended as a single agent, many calcium-vitamin D combination supplements will contain approximately 200 international units to 400 international units of vitamin D per dose.
Bone mineral density tests performed by DEXA scans can help determine bone mass. These tests provide a T-score which is a measure of bone mineral density that compares an individual's bone mineral density to an optimal 30 year old healthy adult's bone density. A "TScore" of -1.0 and above indicates normal bone density. A T-score of -1.0 to -2.5 indicates that a person is considered to have low bone
28
Although osteoporosis affects people of different races, genders and ethnicities, women are at highest risk because their skeletons are smaller to start with and because of the accelerated bone loss that accompanies menopause. Adequate calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K2, magnesium and trace mineral intakes, as well as weight bearing exercise are critical to the development and maintenance of healthy bone throughout the lifecycle. More info on Osteoporosis Treatment
Other studies indicate that an increased calcium intake lowers blood pressure and the risk of hypertension (high blood pressure) .
32,33
However, the results of some studies produced small and inconsistent reductions in blood pressure. One reason for these mixed
results is because these research studies tended to test the effect of single nutrients rather than foods with several minerals on blood pressure. To help test the combined effect of nutrients including calcium from food on blood pressure, a study was conducted to investigate the impact of various eating patterns on blood pressure. This study titled "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)" was reported by the National Institutes of Health. It examined the effects of three different diets on high blood pressure: a control, "typical American" diet and two modified diets (high fruits-and-vegetables and a combination "DASH" diet - high in fruits, vegetables, and calcium). The combination "DASH" diet, with increased calcium, decreased blood pressure.
35
a similar relationship between increasing calcium intakes and decreased blood pressure.
Overall it appears that consuming an adequate intake of fruits and vegetables as well as calcium plays a significant role in controlling blood pressure.
adenomas (nonmalignant tumors) in the colon, a precursor to colon cancer, but it is not known if this will ultimately translate into reduced Another study reported on the association between diet and colon cancer history in 135,000 men and women participating
43
in two large health surveys, the Nurses' Health Study and the Physicians' Health Study. The authors found that those who consumed 700 to 800 mg calcium per day had a 40 to 50% lower risk of developing left side colon cancer. In balance, you should note that a few
44-46
other studies found inconclusive evidence regarding any association of calcium intake with colon cancer.
Some encouraging
research indicates a protective effect of calcium against colon cancer, but further studies are necessary to understand it better.
Other
factors such as high oxalate intake from leafy vegetables like spinach and kale, and reduced fluid consumption appear to be a risk factor
while other studies have found little or no effect of calcium on fat loss. Two explanations have been proposed for how
calcium may help to regulate body weight. First, high-calcium intakes may reduce calcium concentrations in fat cells by lowering the production of two hormones (parathyroid hormone and an active form of vitamin D), which in turn increases fat breakdown in these cells.
61
In addition, calcium from food or supplements may bind to small amounts of dietary fat in the digestive tract and prevent its
61,63
It seems calcium plays a contributing role, but more studies are needed to determine
Calcium Supplements
Because of our food choices, and because of decreased calcium in plants due to modern agricultural practice, it is probably necessary for you to take supplements in order to meet the recommended intakes for calcium. Calcium never exists naturally by itself. It is always attached to another molecule such as carbonate. The two main forms of calcium found in supplements are carbonate and citrate. Calcium carbonate, usually from limestone, is the most common because it is inexpensive. Contrary to marketing claims, the absorption of calcium citrate is similar to calcium carbonate for most people. Calcium carbonate supplement contains 40% calcium while a calcium citrate supplement only contains 21% calcium, so you need to take twice as many pills to get the same amount of elemental (pure) calcium. Other forms of calcium in supplements or fortified foods include calcium gluconate, calcium lactate, and calcium phosphate. The amount of calcium your body obtains from various supplements depends on the amount of elemental calcium in the tablet. Elemental calcium is the amount of actual calcium. The Supplements Facts box on your supplement label may just say "calcium" but it always means elemental calcium. Common complaints of calcium supplement use are gas, bloating and constipation. These symptoms are seldom experienced with the world's first plant-sourced calcium, AlgaeCal Plus.
Contains a whole complex of minerals which interact with one another to keep a balance
Has high amounts of vitamin D3. Recent research shows more than 400 IU /day is needed for calcium absorption
Contains vitamin K2 which is extremely beneficial for bone health and deficient in most diets
Your diet is probably not providing you with adequate calcium so supplementing with calcium capsules is a sensible option. AlgaeCal is the world's only pure plant source of calcium, so it is a particularly body-friendly form of calcium. It also naturally includes magnesium and important bone-supporting trace minerals in a form that your body recognizes as food. Vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 have been added at full dosages. Learn more about AlgaeCal Calcium Supplement
References
ShareThis