Calcium

Calcium is the most plentiful element in the body, concentrated mostly within the bones, teeth and nerves. Calcium helps regulate cell permeability, acid-base balance, hormone secre­tion, cell division and osmotic balance. [Osmotic balance ensures that optimal concentrations of electrolytes and non‑electrolytes are maintained in cells, body tissues, and in interstitial fluid.] It stabi­lizes cell membranes, helps muscles relax and slows nerve transmission and the heart rate. Calcium helps prevent fluid loss from cells and from the blood.

Calcium inhibits thyroid-releasing hormones and increases insulin secretion. It inhibits the sympathetic nervous system. It is required for phosphorus metabo­lism and energy production in the Krebs cycle.

Calcium is also important as a detoxifier, prevent­ing the uptake of lead and cadmium. Blood clotting and fat digestion depend on cal­cium. Calcium is extremely alkaline-forming and helps maintain the pH balance of the blood.

Stability, hardness and physicality are qualities of calcium.

Symptoms Of Calcium Imbalance

Deficiency symptoms may include osteopor­osis, rickets, non-union of fractures, tooth decay and insomnia. Teeth, fingers and other bones may be misshapen. Posture can be poor and legs bowed. Other symptoms are muscle cramps, muscle spasms, irritability, hyper­kin­esis, hyperacidity, bruising, high blood pressure, fight-or-flight reactions, fast oxidation, lead and cadmium toxicity. Calcium toxicity symptoms may include fatigue, depression, defensiveness, muscle weak­ness, pain, arteriosclerosis, arthritis, kidney stones and gall­stones. Additional symptoms include bone spurs, rigidity, slow metabolism, constipation, social withdrawal and spondylitis (rigidity and inflam­mation of the spine).

In many instances, calcium is biounavailable. This means it is present, but cannot be used properly. This condition causes symptoms of deficiency and excess at the same time.

Dietary Sources Of Calcium

Excellent calcium foods include raw, certified milk, cheese and yogurt, sardines, caviar, cod roe, gelatin, smelt and egg yolks. Soups made with bones such as a ham hock or veal joint broth are also excel­lent sources.

The next best sources are kelp, brewer's yeast and other sea vegetables. Other good sources are almonds, sesame seeds, beans and filberts. Dark green vegeta­bles such as kale, collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, comfrey and carrots are also good.

Corn tortillas or corn chips prepared in the tradi­tional way with lime are other good sources. However, most corn chips do not contain lime and are not a good source of calcium. Neither is corn bread or corn eaten as a vegetable.

Calcium Supplements

Other excellent supplements are calcium citrate, calcium chelate and calcium gluconate. Bone meal used to be popular and is a superb supplement if it is not contaminated with lead. Microcrystalline hydroxy apatite crystals (MCHC) is another excellent form of calcium. Other forms are calcium lactate, orotate and aspartate.

Calcium carbonate, phosphate, dicalcium phos­phate and tricalcium phosphate are not well absorbed as the phosphorus binds tightly to the calcium. Cal­cium carbonate is common chalk. It is extremely alkaline and found in Tums, other anti-acids and coral calcium. People who are too acidic may benefit from it. Unfortunately, stom­ach acid is important for digestion and reducing it too much interferes with digestion.

Many commercial calcium preparations in drug stores also contain lots of sugar. Some are even sold like candies. These products will be less effec­tive because sugar upsets calcium metab­olism. Usually the calcium is in the form of calcium carbonate, a poorly absorbed form. It is best to avoid calcium carbonate, coral calcium and sugared calcium supplements.

Calcium And The Fight-or-flight Response

In the fight-or-flight response, the body excretes calcium in the urine. This causes the muscles and nervous system to go into a state of alertness to respond to stress. Those who live in a fight-or-flight pattern much of the time are contin­uously losing calcium in their urine. These sympa­thetic dominant individuals overuse their sympa­thetic nervous system.

In the exhaustion stage of stress, calcium is lost into the tissues. Low tissue sodium and potassium levels prevent calcium from remaining in an ionized or soluble form in the blood. Instead, it precipitates and deposits in many body tissues including the joints, arteries, kidneys and else­where. This is a cardinal sign of aging.

Calcium Synergists

Copper is required to fix calcium in the bones and helps raise the tissue calcium level. Many people have biologically unavailable copper which causes their calcium problems. In fast oxidizers, copper deficiency contributes to a calcium deficiency.

Iodine is required for thyroid activity. Low thyroid activity is associated with biounavailable calcium and calcium deposition in the soft tissues. The best sources of iodine are fish and sea vege­tables like kelp or dulse. Iodized salt is not as good a source. Boron apparently improves adre­nal gland activity which makes copper more available. Boron is found in nuts, beans, leafy greens and bone extracts.

Vitamins A and D are important for calcium utilization and are commonly deficient. Vitamin D is only found in enriched milk, fish oils and from sun exposure. Vitamin A is only found in fish oils and meats. Beta carotene must be con­verted to vitamin A. Low thyroid activity impairs the con­version. Vitamin A should be recom­mended before beta carotene.

Magnesium helps keep calcium in solution. Sourc­es of magnesium include nuts, seeds, kelp, wheat bran, wheat germ, molasses and brewer's yeast. Silica is another calcium synergist. It may be transmuted into calcium according to Dr. Louis Kervan, author of Biological Transmutations. Chlorine,hydrochloric acid in the stomach and adequateprotein in the diet are also required for calcium utilization.

Adequate adrenal hormone levels are also essen­tial for proper calcium metabolism. Infrared light is also extremely beneficial for calcium metabolism.

Calcium Antagonists

Sugar upsets the calcium/phosphorus ratio in the blood more than any other single factor, according to researcher Dr. Melvin Page. It also stresses the adre­nal glands and upsets the hor­mone balance which affects calcium metabolism.

Lead and cadmium antagonize and replace calcium in the bones and elsewhere. Hidden lead toxicity, for example, is an important cause of weak bones and osteoporosis. Tests for toxic metals may not reveal it when it is deeply embed­ded within the bones. A hair analysis may reveal it later as it comes out of the body through the hair and other routes.

Fluoride replaces calcium in the bones, caus­ing them to become brittle and weak. Sources are fluori­dated tap water, some mineral waters, foods contami­nated with fluorides from the soil and foods processed with fluoridated water like reconstituted fruit juices and soda pop.

Excess phosphorus binds calcium and impairs its absorption from the intestines. Sources are soda pop and diets very high in animal protein. Phytates found in high grain diets, soy and other beans bind calcium preventing its absorption. Excessive oxalic acid found in spinach, cranberries, rhubarb and tea can interfere with calcium utilization. Low stomach acid and low protein diets impair calcium utilization.

References