Just wondering if about calcium. I always see calcium supplements advertised and suggested to women "of a certain age", and I am just wondering when it really would be appropriate to start taking them. As a low carber who takes a multi vitamin, but drinks no milk and eats very little dairy, would I need the extra calcium in a supplement? Maybe a better question would be, could it hurt to take it?

Mari

calcium is a large element - so if you look carefully at your multi-vitamin, the recommended daily percentage listed is probably about 10%... i take a calcium supplement although i'm now starting to try getting into the habit of taking it daily. it doesn't hurt to take (i'm pretty sure about that..)

Good question, but I don't know thw answer. I take a cal/mag/K supplement and have been doing it for years without questioning it. I think I've been more afraid of breaking my hip than heart disease. Dairy products are not exactly the best source of calcium. Magnesium has to be present for it ot be effective

There was a comment on it by Mrs. Yogi today. She takes it before bed, says it helps her sleep.

I've read that it helps prevent teeth grinding while sleeping if you take it before bed. There's also other reasons it's good to take, but I can't remember them!

Karen

You are never to young to start calcium if your diet is inadequate. I suppliment my kids' diet with orange juice plus calcium. Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your bones.
My 50ish year old sister has bone cancer and she is a marathon walker. The doctors have told her that the walking has prolonged her life and her density is that of a 30 yr old, even though she has cancer!

agreed, yup, yessir, mm-hmmm ... Calcium good.

Current RDA's for calcium are -

• 800mg for children
• 1,300mg for teens
• 1,000mg for adults to age 50,
• 1,200mg for adults over 50
• 1,200mg pregnant/lactating

Some research is suggesting it should be even higher, 1,200mg per day for adults, and 1,500mg per day for teens and over 50. Calcium isn't just a woman's concern - osteoporosis is becoming more prevalent in men over age 50 - higher calcium intake is urged for all adults.

Dairy products are indeed rich in calcium, but it's not very well absorbed. In particular, the casein protein inhibits absorption. (interesting note - casein from cow's milk is widely used in industry and manufacturing ... its glue-y properties have many uses in house paint and construction materials ). I still love my cheese and yogurt, but I don't rely on dairy for my calcium supply.

Here's a quote from an article from Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine -Dark green leafy vegetables, and dark green vegetables from the brassica family - kale, cabbage, broccoli, collards, brussels sprouts .. are good sources, and the calcium is readily absorbed. Excellent sources also are canned sardines and salmon WITH THE BONES. Sesame seeds and almonds are good too. Some soy milks are now fortified with calcium too. Tofu that has been set with calcium is good (note, some tofu is set with nigari, which is magnesium, not calcium-based)

Another important factor for calciium absorption is Vitamin D. The body can manufacture its own Vit. D in the skin, from exposure to sunlight. For those of us in the north country that means in winter especially, we need to supplement vitamin D. In North America, liquid milk products are fortified with vitamin D, but cream, cheese, yogurt, ice cream etc ... are not.

hope this is helpful,

Doreen

Is it true that too much protein (supposedly what the West typically consumes) causes acidity in the body to the point where calcium is leached out of bones in order to stabilize that blood acidity - resulting in osteoporosis even with the increased dairy intake, which is why in underdeveloped countries/or cultures who don't consume hardly any dairy products/meat products do not get osteoporosis etc...

The answer is NO.

From Protein Power .. http://eatprotein.com/ .. The studies which seem to imply bone loss with the consumption of animal protein were done on subjects who also were consuming a large percentage of their diet in the form of refined carbohydrates - sugar, white flour, white bread, etc . Sugars are well-known to lower the pH of (ie, acidify) the blood.

As well, high-cellulose insoluble fiber, as found in grains, bran etc is well-known to inhibit the absorption of dietary calcium, therefore the calcium is excreted from the body, not absorbed.

Consuming adequate protein and fats, as well as the foods listed which are good sources of absorbable calcium ... and ensuring a supply of vitamin D, whether from natural sunlight or supplement .. is your best insurance for healthy bones.

As well, weight-bearing exercise, such as walking has been shown to increase bone-density by up to 10% ..

Doreen

thanks doreen, u have made me feel better