Calcium metabolism and placement in the body is extremely complex. It is quite an insoluble mineral and it needs other factors for proper metabolism.  Calcium alone, even when the organic form, goes into the wrong places when excessive and without proper assistance.  It is one of the worst offenders in atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is sometimes referred to as hardening of the arteries. It is a major problem in cardiovascular disease because it correlates to increased heart attack and stroke.

Calcium and LDL cholesterol are major components of the plaque that lines arteries and defines atherosclerosis.

When calcium is abundant and it does not have the necessary help from other minerals and vitamins, it goes into the blood vessel linings and endothelium of the heart.  It not only invades the artery linings but also kidneys and other organs.

Instead of calcium going into bone, where 99% of it belongs, it goes into soft tissues.  Unfortunately numerous studies make it clear extra calcium results in more, not less bone fractures.

Dr. Kathryn Fuchs, PhD, reports some troubling statistics about abundant calcium intake and broken bones.  A study done at Harvard University on nurses found this.  In a study of 77,761 nurses who took 900 mg of calcium or more suffered twice as many hip fractures as those who consumed half as much. The study was conducted over a 12 year period.

Another Harvard researcher found confirmation of this study by examining hip fractures throughout the world.  He observed that countries with low calcium intake had low hip fractures.

For example, in Japan women consume two thirds less calcium than in the United States; yet they have half the spinal fractures.  In China and Peru the calcium intake is even lower and the bone fractures are even lower yet.

It seems clear that how the body handles calcium is even more important than the intake of it. Vitamin D and hormone levels are extremely important.  Too much calcium does not help the bones and becomes deposited in the soft tissues where it causes problems.

Several studies prove vitamin K-2 reduces calcification of the arteries and heart.  Typically, by age 80 you have a 140% increase of calcium in your arteries and 50% less in your bones.  K-2 protects the bones in two ways. It inhibits the parathyroid hormone from robbing calcium from the bone.  Secondly, it stimulates an important thyroid hormone called calcitonin.  Calcitonin puts calcium back into the bones.

Trace elements are critical in the proper assimilation of calcium and they cannot be ignored. A good diet will usually provided the needed minerals, since only small amounts are needed.  The following report will cover most of the significant trace minerals.

Strontium is scarcely talked about when the subject of calcium metabolism comes up; yet it is proving to be very important to strong bones. It stimulates the rapid formation of bone.  It not only accelerates the uptake of calcium into the bones but it also attracts magnesium, zinc and boron…all improving bone strength.

Osteoclasts are the bone cells that breakdown bone and strontium makes bones more resistant to osteoclasts. I know of no other substance that actually strengthens and improves bone density and resists breakdown by osteoclasts. Osteoclast activity produces osteoporosis and weak bones.  I quote researcher Kathryn Fuchs, PhD:  “Multiple studies show strontium is more effective than calcium for maintaining strong bones.”

Of all the fractures, hip fractures are the most problematic for seniors. According to a U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, 15% of women by age 85 years will suffer a hip fracture.  After age 85 the rate of hip fractures rapidly increases and often results in long recovery and ultimately higher death rates than other fractures.

The best natural sources of calcium are diary products (especially yogurt), green leafy vegetables, red meat and soy. Caveat: Many adults have lactose intolerance to a dairy product because it doesn’t break down the lactose.  Acidophilus milk and yogurt is usually okay for them.  Studies make it clear proper levels and proper placement of calcium in the body is important.  Studies show calcium deficiencies are linked to increased colon cancer, high blood pressure and osteoporosis.

The American Health Academy recommends 1,200 mg of calcium for those under 25 years of age…1,500 mg after age 40.  Many would disagree with these figures and would argue that the intake of calcium is too much, based upon the statistics already mentioned. Most agree that natural food sources are best. Here are some estimates of the natural food sources:
•    1 serving of yogurt…400 mg
•    1 cup of calcium fortified orange juice…300 mg
•    1 ounce of non-fat cheese…200 mg
•    Best fruit:  bananas, apples, melons, oranges
•    Best vegetables:  potatoes, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, onions

Studies show that adequate assimilation of calcium is helpful in fat metabolism and weight loss. Only 100 mg increase per day was found to result in a 17.6 pound difference in body weight reduction.

Higher calcium levels in the proper place appear to correlate to increased metabolism and fat loss.  Dr. Rowan says “calcium can reduce weight substantially, perhaps by as much as 70%.” Dr. Robert Heany agrees.  He reported in the American Society for Nutritional Services: “The data suggest that the effect of calcium deficiency on obesity is likely to be as large as, or larger than the corresponding effect on osteoporosis prevalence…”

He goes on to say the data suggests: “the prevalence of obesity in women could be reduced by 60 to 80% by ensuring (adequate) calcium.”
The paradox is that excessive calcium in you diet can mean less gets into your deficient cells.  Why?  Calcium and magnesium counteract and balance each other.  Magnesium functions inside the cell and is crucial for energy production by the mitochondria…the energy factories inside cells.

When too much calcium displaces or thwarts the magnesium the energy metabolism breaks down, calories are not burned and fats get stored into fat beds.

Calcium is extremely important, but 99% of it should be outside of the soft tissue cells and in the blood plasma or bone.  When it gets into the cells in excessive amounts, it overwhelms the magnesium and normal biochemical function within the cells.

Magnesium is likewise a common deficiency in up to 80% of the population of America.  Both calcium and magnesium need to be in abundance and properly assimilated.  Natural food sources have proven themselves to be the best sources.  When you consider the complexity of calcium and the function of  magnesium (in over 325 chemical reactions) it is important to over all health to have adequate amounts and balance of these two minerals.

Natural food sources provide the body with a smorgasbord of what is needed.  The body can pick and choose what is best for optimal and complete biochemistry.

Compelling evidence from numerous studies shows that certain diseases are related to too much intracellular calcium and too little magnesium inside the cells.  These include diabetes II, insulin resistance (syndrome X), high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity.

High levels of calcium inside the cells bind and inactivate important enzymes and biochemicals; they become a marker for syndrome X…the diabetes II precursor.  Adequate magnesium does the opposite of calcium inside the cells.  It relaxes blood pressure and allows fat and carbohydrate burn rather than excess accumulation of blood glucose and chronic inflammation, along with fat storage.

A study published in the JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) on 3,157 young adults (age 18-30 years) found adequate calcium from dairy products reduced insulin resistance, produced less obesity, lowered blood pressure , caused less fat accumulation and less blood sugar (glucose)…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

P.S. If you are interested in a recommended information product click on this link:  Diet Solutions This is not my site but I receive some compensation for my recommendation.   Without compensation I still would highly recommend it because it over-delivers a wealth of information, especially explodes myths about diet and  is spot on regarding the chemistry of weight metabolism.

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