sorry if TMI .. Posted by surprise (Member # 34987) on :
I supplement a little bit with calcium, because I had a bone density scan, not in menopause yet,
and it indicated I should be careful-I don't want osteoporosis.
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
Your body won't absorb the calcium well if you're deficient in magnesium. And you won't absorb the magnesium well if you're deficient in Vitamin D.
There are a couple other things you need too. You can look at the formulas for the bone products to see some of the others. http://www.iherb.com/Bone-Formulas Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
My DH has osteoporosis from long-term steroid use and malabsorption, and he was taking lots of calcium & Vitamin D and still losing bone density.
Once he started taking Cod Liver Oil, his bone density stopped going down.
And then he started taking MSM, which improved his joint pain (from damage caused by the steroids), and then he was able to start exercising.
That's when he saw an 11% increase in bone density in one year.
Other things important for bone density:
Vitamin K2 - helps calcium go into the bones instead of depositing in the blood vessels.
Boron, Magnesium, Zinc, Vitamin D (helps with absorption of calcium & magnesium), and possibly other trace minerals.
Strontium is supposed to also be good.
And the bones need protein and fatty acids (fish oil).
As for me, yes I need to take calcium supplements, otherwise my blood level is too low.
The study quoted above did not look at people's Vitamin K status.
People who take calcium on an empty stomach are the ones who have trouble; taking the calcium supplements with food slows down the absorption and thus makes it safe to take.
I have always taken calcium supplements with food.
I also find Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite the best form of calcium to take for bone density issues, because it is actual bone from cows, and thus has all the necessary trace minerals in addition to the calcium.
Posted by StephenC (Member # 15171) on :
There's about 1,250mg of calcium in the daily supplementation routine I use. That article wasn't very convincing. ABC might be more likely to report on the dangers of drug use if they weren't sponsored by the pharmaceutical companies. It's annoying to me when mainstream media attacks nutritionals and not drugs.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I agree, Stephen.. but this is not the first I've heard this about calcium.
Carol.. I can't take Vit C .. so those are out. I think I'll get some cod liver oil. (joy)
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
That was a terrible study that should be discounted. There are plenty of well run studies that clearly contradict this one. It was probably paid for by big Pharma.
Posted by sillia (Member # 23994) on :
Simple solution to calcium and other mineral needs for your bones: kale. And moderate exercise.
And other leafy greens! I do not supplement with calcium, I think it's counterproductive and possibly dangerous.
Posted by Bugg (Member # 8095) on :
Adults need around 1000 to 1200 mg a day. Many people have to supplement because they do not get enough from leafy greens, milk, or cheese. Calcium is so very important for not just bone health but for muscle health and twitching.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
ive been taking it sinde gyn said to after meno...but i still lost 2 inches! yikes. i will go back to this thread when i feel better..i dont take vit k-maybe i should or msm
Posted by annxyzz (Member # 20404) on :
Unless you eat a lot of calcium rich foods daily , it seems risky NOT to supplement with some ( to me ) . But VIT D and magnesium are also part of the equasion and not to be ignored .
I supplement all three , but only about 500 mg calcium because of my diet , which garauntees some. I am too afraid of becoming old and breaking a hip , which I see frequently .
I know we are not supposed to need iron at 56 , but I take a tiny amount three times a week. If I do not , I feel lifelessly fatigued.
One thing that has helped MY fatigue is supplementing these : Magnesium citrate , zinc, calcium , and potassium . I do these a few times a week , and FOR me it DOES REALLY Make a difference that is noticeable. I think we can not totally assume all minerals and electrolytes are in our diet anymore , but I also think it foolish to over supplement .
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Carol in PA: [QB] Your body won't absorb the calcium well if you're deficient in magnesium. And you won't absorb the magnesium well if you're deficient in Vitamin D.
That's interesting - since I have taken a magnesium product before, combined with malic acid, and never had the big reaction to magnesium that I had this week - ie, spasming muscles relaxing, and I have been taking Vitamin D NOW drops for the past year due to deficiency.
So once we do some mg supplementation, are we supposed to take Ca too, like 1:1, Carol, if you know, or anyone?
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
I think it depends on the individual. I tend to need to take more magnesium than the typically recommended 2:1 Ca to Mg ratio, and I've seen other practitioners who recommend 1:1 Ca to Mg.
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