Finally - The Truth About Calcium Supplements

Undoubtedly calcium has become a hot topic of controversy. We are bombarded with advertising telling us exactly what will give our body more calcium. Between the "Got Milk?" slogans on one end and the Coral Calcium "cure-all" TV spots on the opposite end it is time that the truth be exposed. Let's look at why we need calcium and then some signs of calcium deficiency.

How the Body Uses Calcium:

• Strong bones, teeth and gums

• Maintaining a regular heartbeat

• The lowering of cholesterol

• Helps prevent cardiovascular disease

• Needed for muscular growth and contraction

• Prevents muscle cramps

• Essential in blood clotting

• Helps prevent cancer

• May lower blood pressure

• May prevent bone loss associated with osteoporosis

• Helps to activate enzymes which breaks down fats

• Maintains proper cell membrane permeability

• Helps keep skin healthy

• Protects against preeclampsia during pregnancy

• Can help reduce high blood pressure in pregnancy

• Protects the bones and teeth from lead by inhibiting absorption of this metal

Calcium DeficiencySymptoms:

• Aching joints

• Brittle nails

• Eczema

• Elevated blood cholesterol

• Heart palpitations

• High blood pressure

• Muscle Cramps

• Insomnia

• Nervousness

• Numbness in arms or legs

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Tooth decay

• Depression

• Hyperactivity

• Hives

• Psoriasis

"Got Milk?"?Are You Really Getting Calcium?

No way! The damage that this one slogan is doing to the health of Americans, especially children, is tremendous. Consider the following written by Robert Cohen (www.notmilk.com):

A publication in the February, 2003 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Vol. 77, No. 2, 504-511) clearly demonstrates that eighteen years of milk consumption did not prevent hip fractures for post-menopausal women.

How many subjects participated in the study?

A mere 72,337. As part of Walter Willett's Harvard Nurses Study, investigator Diane Feskanich performed statistical tests of significance for 18 years of data including dietary intake of calcium (dairy and supplements) to determine her findings.

The conclusion reached from this observational analyses, is that dietary calcium plays little or no role in preventing bone loss. Drinking milk does not prevent osteoporosis. A total of 603 hip fractures were analyzed. Scientists determined that milk consumption was in no way associated with hip fracture risk. The same conclusion was reached for total calcium consumption.

The Harvard Nurses study previously determined that there is no positive association between teenaged milk consumption and the risk of adult fractures. (American Journal of Public Health 1997;87). As a matter of fact, just the opposite was found to be true. Women consuming greater amounts of calcium from dairy foods suffered significantly increased risks of hip fractures.

In light of these findings, the dairy industry milk mustache campaign has been proven to be one enormous deception. Bones break because women eating the wrong foods create an acid condition in their own bloodstreams, which must be neutralized by available calcium. The body achieves balance by taking calcium out of its own bones. Ergo, people eating the greatest amount of total animal protein are the ones experiencing accelerated rates of bone loss. The same Journal of Clinical Nutrition, (1995; 61, 4) confirmed this truth:

"Dietary protein increases production of acid in the blood which can be neutralized by calcium mobilized from the skeleton."

Eighteen years earlier, as the Harvard Nurses study was just beginning, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1979;32,4) reported:

"Even when eating 1,400 mg of calcium daily, one can lose up to 4% of his or her bone mass each year while consuming a high-protein diet."

Why do you imagine that today's most recent study will not be publicized on tonight's 6 PM news, or headlined in your local newspaper? Because it lacks one critical ingredient. Cash. For a story to be released, it must be accompanied by paid dairy industry advertising. In this deceptively dangerous manner, most of us get our biased health information.

Milk? It does not do the body good.

Coral Calcium

How these people have been in business so long just amazes me! I used to get spammed at least ten times per day with advertisements suggesting that Coral Calcium cures just about everything!! I have often wondered just where the FDA police was during all of this hype.

Coral calcium is calcium carbonate and is no better than the calcium that is available in most drug stores or vitamin stores. What is calcium carbonate? Chalk! Put a piece in a glass of water and see how long it takes to dissolve?believe me, you will be there for longer than you care to know. Yes, you may get some benefit from it but it is not the most absorbable form of calcium and therefore not the most beneficial.

Ridiculous Claims:

It's from the ocean: Not "everything" in the ocean is wonderful. Ever read about how polluted our oceans are? Enough said.

The people in Okinawa live longer and look younger: When doing research on this you will find that their longevity is more than likely contributed to their diet and stress-free life. There is no supplement that will ever take the place of good nutritional balancing.

Disease Cure-All: This is the one that makes me cringe. There has not been one study to back up any cure from taking calcium (any kind) alone. Yes, the body needs calcium to function properly, but calcium, by itself, will not cure anything! I do believe in disease elimination using natural methods but there is no magic bullet and no magic supplement. If a company is selling a product claiming a "cure-all" this should raise huge red flags.

Calcium Orotate-The Best From of Calcium Available

According to studies conducted by Dr. Hans Nieper (Germany) only Calcium Orotate penetrates directly through the cell membrane, delivering calcium to the interior of the cell where it is readily utilized.

Orotates are mineral salts of orotic acid - used by plants and animals to make DNA and RNA. Hans Nieper, a physician and dabbler in offbeat theories of gravitation, used orotates clinically prior to 1980. He thought that orotate salts, being neutrally charged, pass easily through cell membranes. In effect, orotate ferries the mineral atoms into cells and tissues, producing higher concentrations.

Nieper promoted orotates as treatments for nearly every ailment imaginable and was consequently ignored; most of his medical claims were never rigorously tested. But in certain applications - such as athletic performance - where his ideas have recently received scientific scrutiny, they have been found to work. Nieper may have been on the right track after all.

Dr. Nieper's theoretical explanations of the mechanisms behind his stunning success in the clinical application of sophisticated mineral transporters rely heavily on the concept of the fixed pore mechanism of active transport. The theory called fixed pore mechanism suggests that a carrier molecule, in this case Orotic Acid (B-13), is attached to the compound being transported. This research has lead to the creation of mineral chelates called orotic acid chelates, or orotates which offers a 20 fold increase in utilizing minerals.

Calcium orotate was used by Nieper to treat bone loss and pain due to inflammation or osteoporosis, high blood pressure, angina pectoris, multiple sclerosis, encephalitis, retinitis, hepatitis, arthritis, arteriosclerosis, phlebitis and colitis. In addition, it is very effective against psoriasis, a scaling skin disorder. The long-term clinical tolerance and overall value of calcium orotate is far superior to other therapeutic calcium substances and to the so-called immune depressors.

Calcium Orotate is one of the three mineral transporters that is the most active in providing treatment for bone decalcification. Has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect on arthritis, arteriosclerosis, retinitis, encephalitis and phlebitis, psoriasis, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis and colitis. It can be very effective in re-calcifying the bone tissue following extensive radiation treatment of cancerous bone lesions.

Calcium Orotate tablets have been beneficial in:

Assisting with prevention of osteoporosis.

Helping to avoid muscle cramps.

Relieving the pain associated with disc problems.

Maintaining strong bones & teeth.

Keeping your heart beating regularly

Alleviation of insomnia

Helping the body metabolize iron

Reduced Stress

Increased alertness

We use Calcium Orotate along with the other orotates (magnesium, potassium, zinc and lithium) at Global Healing Center in a whole body, synergistic approach to eliminating disease. The results that we see using calcium orotate conclude that it is absorbed, transported and utilizied in the body better than any other form of calcium. It is time that the public knows the truth about calcium, its many benefits, why it is necessary and the best form available. Remember that he first step in getting healthy is always education and I believe that it is your right to know the truth about every hopeful treatment and prevention option available to you.

About The Author

Loretta Lanphier, ND, CCN, HHP is a Doctor of Naturopath, Certified Clinical Nutritionist and Holistic Health Practitioner in the Houston, TX area and Vice President of Global Healing Center, Inc. A teacher and educator, she counsels Global Healing Center clients on the aspects of getting the body healthy and keeping the body healthy. As a cancer survivor, she is able to relate extensively, both as a patient and a practitioner, to clients suffering from disease. She is also involved in researching new alternative disease treatments and products. Dr. Lanphier is Assistant Editor and contributor to the worldwide newsletter Alternative Health & Healing. Visit us on the web at: www.globalhealingcenter.com or email: staff@globalhealingcenter.com

In The News:

---

Nutritional Supplements: The Amazing Vitamin C

The real facts about Vitamin C may surprise you. First... Read More

L-tyrosine and Your Health

L-tyrosine is a protein that the body produces from phenylamine,... Read More

Taste is Everything When Choosing a Protein Bar

As consumers, we are faced daily with choices about what... Read More

All-Natural HGH Releasers- Does Neugenisis Really Work?

I began a quest to examine over 25 "leading products"... Read More

Build Health: Cut Through The Calcium Hype

The initial success of penicillin generated an assumption which has... Read More

Improve Your Mental Cognitive Abilities

The Connection Between Brain Inflammation, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's DiseaseThe evidence... Read More

Coenzyme Q10 - Learn All the Wonderful Properties of this Vitamin-Like Nutrient

Sometimes I ask myself why this wonderful antioxidant supplement was... Read More

The Effects of an no2 Supplement on Your Body

Our system uses a free-form gas called Nitric Oxide as... Read More

Nutritional Supplements - How To Choose A High Quality Product

Looking for quality nutritional supplements can seem quite overwhelming at... Read More

Why Fucose?

Haven't heard of fucose? Think it's the latest teen dance... Read More

What to Look For In Selecting A High Quality Nutritional Supplement!

Have you ever purchased something thinking you had bought a... Read More

Using Natural Remedies For Constipation

There are two basic types of constipation - organic and... Read More

Vitamin Benefits ? What You Need To Know

Parents always tell their children to take their vitamins. Every... Read More

How to Neutralize the Terrorists Within Your Body

Did you know that there are free radical biochemical "terrorists"... Read More

Increasing overall Health with Nutritional Supplements

"But I eat healthy," you might say. That may be... Read More

Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - BCAAs

BCAA stands for branched chain amino acids and is increasingly... Read More

L-Glutathione, The Wonder Antioxidant

A naturally occurring compound, L-Glutathione (Tathion,) has demonstrated that it... Read More

Why Supplements and Glyconutritionals?

Food is one of our most basic needs. However, in... Read More

Using Weight Loss Supplements To Reach Your Weight Loss Goals

Supplement is a word defined by Webster as such: Something... Read More

B-Vitamins Help Promote Healthy Arteries and Heart

A 2002 study reported, funded by the Swiss National Science... Read More

The Benefits of Protein Powders

I know protein is good for me, but do I... Read More

Should You Take Gingko Biloba to Improve Your Brain Power?

Have you heard of the herbal supplement with the very... Read More

The Undercover Vitamin

There is a secret vitamin in the neighborhood, wandering around... Read More

Ephedra Ban Lifted

April 14,2005 federal judge Tena Campbell of the federal district... Read More

The Colloidal Silver Controversy

Colloidal Silver might just be a wonderful thing and here's... Read More

Vitamin A ? The Glow-in-the-dark Vitamin

The ancient Egyptians had a cure for "night blindness". They... Read More

The Perfect Supplement

I wanted to write this article because of my sincere... Read More

Should You Be Taking Liquid Vitamins?

How many pills do you have to take every morning?... Read More

Natural Tonics for Health and Wellness

I'm a great believer in natural tonics to strengthen or... Read More

Do Natural Thyroid Boosters Work?

How Well Does Thyrin-ATC and Other Natural Thyroid Products Work?Hypothyroidism... Read More

Appreciating the Importance of Folic Acid

Folic acid is actually just one of the many vitamins... Read More

Supplements and Drugs: A Hazardous Combination

As I have become more involved in using functional nutritional... Read More

Herbal Nutrition Supplements: The 5Ws

Herbal nutrition supplements are everywhere these days. So should you... Read More