Calcium – Who needs it?
Are you concerned about your bone density? Are you suffering from osteoporosis? What can you do about it? Medications are often prescribed, but they can have significant side effects. Should you take a calcium supplement? Maybe…but which kind? There are numerous forms of calcium available and each has unique characteristics. We think of calcium as a necessary mineral for our bones. This is certainly true; however, calcium is vital for numerous functions in our body.
The first question that needs to be addressed is, “Do you need to supplement calcium?” The answer may surprise you, as many people do not. The way to know if you need additional calcium in the form of a supplement is typically through objective testing. Blood testing will show the levels of calcium that are circulating in your blood stream. We must remember that calcium is a mineral and can actually be a detriment to our health if we have more than the body can handle. This is uncommon, but is one reason that not everyone should supplement calcium (the calcium found in a multivitamin is not an issue, we are discussing specific calcium supplementation at higher dosages). Bone density testing is another way we can determine if more calcium is needed by our body as we age. This testing is typically done in men and women who are aging or have risk factors for bone density conditions, such as osteopenia or osteoporosis.
Our body closely regulates calcium levels in our blood and will release hormones in response to levels that are too high or too low. If the calcium levels are too high in the blood, then calcitonin is released. Calcitonin increases calcium deposits to bone and decreases calcium absorption from the digestive tract.
Calcium blood levels that are too low will cause an increase in parathyroid hormone. Parathyroid hormone increases resorption of calcium from bone and increases the absorption of calcium from the digestive tract. Many medications that are designed to aid in osteoporosis conditions work by limiting the amount of calcium that is resorbed from bone. Other medications increase osteoblast production. Osteoblasts are the cells that build bone.
If we are concerned about our bone density we must be certain enough calcium is available to our body. Do not mistake this as the only prevention or treatment for osteoporosis. There are many factors involved in reduced bone density conditions beyond the amount of calcium available to be used for bone construction. For example, we must have sufficient levels of Vitamin D to aid in the deposition of calcium in bone. The more physical stress that is placed on the bones will also increase bone density. This is why resistance and weight bearing exercise is recommended for those trying to increase bone density.
The question, “Do you get enough calcium every day?” is only addressing part of the issue. An equally important question we should be asking is, “What may cause resorption of calcium from bone?” The pH balance of blood must stay in a very narrow window or we will not be able to survive. Therefore, our body will do whatever is necessary to buffer an acidic pH in the blood. The number one buffer we use to balance an acidic pH in the blood is calcium. This makes perfect sense in the body because we have a large store of it in our bones. Therefore, if we go through a period where we have to buffer the blood significantly, we have the stores to do this. However, if we do this repeatedly over many years, then we deplete the stores of calcium in our bones. This is one major contributing factor to the development of osteopenia and osteoporosis.
Having an acidic pH is not the same as chronic inflammation. However, chronic inflammation and acidity in the body are like close relatives…where you find one, you will also find the other. So, when we work with clients and are able to address their chronic inflammation this also works to reduce their chronic acidity. We are able to create an environment in the body that supports an increase in calcium being deposited in bone and minimizes the need to resorb calcium from bone to buffer the body. That is why calcium found in dairy products does not tend to be as effective at increasing bone density as we might think: Dairy is very inflammatory to the body even if you are not intolerant to it. Therefore, an increase in acidity is common with dairy consumption, so the calcium content found in the dairy product is essentially cancelled out as it is used to buffer the body from acidity.
If you are identified as an individual that would benefit from calcium supplementation, which kind of calcium should you take? There are two types that are absorbed by the body at the highest percentage. They are: calcium citrate and microcrystalline hydroxyapatite. They are both absorbed at approximately 35%. This may not sound like a high percentage. However, when compared to calcium carbonate which is a poor absorbing calcium (and needs a very acidic pH in the stomach to be absorbed best) at 10%, you can see the advantages of the higher quality. The difference between the calcium citrate and the microcrystalline hydroxyapatite is that microcrystalline hydroxyapatite is a complete bone meal. This means that it contains all the nutrients necessary to create strong bones within the supplement. Think of constructing a building using concrete. If you make a large structure with concrete but do not use rebar to strengthen it, it can become brittle and break. That is exactly what can happen in your bones. Trace minerals are used in conjunction with the calcium to create a much stronger structure than if calcium is used alone. Therefore, microcrystalline hydroxyapatite is what I recommend to my clients that need additional calcium to support increased bone density.
The dosage of the microcrystalline hydroxyapatite varies based on each individual case. Many experts recommend a minimum of 1200mg of supplemental calcium for women after menopause to support strong bones. The research on microcrystalline hydroxyapatite is quite impressive. In one such study, it shows women over age 70 on average can increase bone density with supplementation of microcrystalline hydroxyapatite at therapeutic dosage levels. This is without medications. So, if you have a bone density issue and would like to support strong bones, we can certainly make a recommendation as to the amount of calcium you should be taking. When combined with a healthy diet that minimizes chronic inflammation, the chances for a positive outcome are increased. The name of the supplement we use in our office is Cal Builder Extra Strength which has 1000mg of microcrystalline hydroxyapatite per tablet.
Calcium is the highest concentrated mineral in the human body. It does much more than build strong bones. Make sure that you are getting the right amount for your body and your body will thank you!