FinallyThe Truth About Calcium
Supplements
by: Dr. Loretta Lanphier,
ND, CCN, HHP
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
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