Friday, June 14, 2013

Are You Getting Enough Calcium?


OK, time to get back to some healthy information…

I had a recent doctor’s appointment and my physician pointed out that I needed to take calcium everyday along with some Vitamin D3. He did a blood test and found that I was deficient in both. I have acid reflux and I take an antacid (Omeprazole) everyday to ward off that evil devil. If you have suffered from acid reflux, you KNOW what I mean.

The doc told me that these antacids leach calcium from your body and I need to replenish my system with supplements. The instructions are to take 500 mg by mouth 3 times daily (with meals). Right now I am taking, twice a day, Caltrate chewable (yummy) with 500 mg of Vitamin D3 included. Then I take a tablet of 500 mg of calcium once a day. Chewable with Vitamin D3 in the mornings (breakfast) and evenings (dinner); tablet without D3 in the afternoon (lunch). Calcium is also best absorbed when taken with magnesium.

Here are some things I found out about calcium or the lack of:

1.     Calcium may be involved with more bodily functions than any other mineral. It promotes the health of our bones, muscles, and heart, as well as many of the body’s cellular processes.
2.     While dairy products contain calcium, they are not typically the best source of calcium for most people.
3.     Your body may not be digesting calcium adequately to extract sufficient calcium to meet its requirements.
4.     Although Americans and Canadians tend to consume the highest amount of dairy products in the world per capita, we have a higher incidence of osteoporosis than most other countries.

Here are some common signs of a calcium deficiency that can be signs of other problems in the body and, of course, you should see your physician if you are suffering any health issues:

1.     Back or hip pain
2.     Bone loss, malformed bones, or bones that are vulnerable to fractures or breaks
3.     Brittle nails or vertical ridges on nails
4.     Cramps in fee, toes, or legs
5.     Dental cavities or frequent toothaches
6.     Headaches
7.     High blood pressure
8.     Heart palpitations
9.     Insomnia
10.  Joint pain
11.  Nervousness, anxiety, or irritability
12.  Nervous tics or twitches, or muscles that twitch
13.  Women: painful or lengthy periods or excessive bleeding during periods

Source taken from The Phytozyme Cure, by Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD


When looking for a calcium supplement, avoid those that contain fillers, colors, or chemicals, and there should be a third-party verification that the supplement is lead free. It is said that this is a metal that is frequently found in many calcium supplements. I found this shocking since there have been so much research done and we know the effects lead can cause on the body. But double check to make sure…

McGillUniversity did a study of over 9000 women and found that those women who took 1000 mg of calcium supplements lived longer than those who didn’t.

Good sources of calcium include: almonds, almond butter, broccoli, carrot juice, carrots, dark leafy greens, kale, kelp, navy beans, oats, sesame butter (tahini), soymilk and tofu (which organic is suggested since soy is heavily contaminated by genetically-modified organisms – GMOs), wild salmon, and sardines.

Another good reminder, weight resistance is excellent in building healthy bones and exercising CAN improve your health.

Well, there you have it. I wish you good health in whatever way you decide to get your calcium and exercise.

Here’s to your health!

7 comments:

  1. Nice info~ (SO many people are deficient in D!) Also, too much protein in one's diet helps to leach calcium from our skeleton, so big meat eaters (standard American diet) have higher osteo issues. Almonds are a great calcium choice as is almond milk which contains 45% daily calcium intake in one cup :)

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    1. I LOVE Almond milk!! I like to use it in my healthy smoothies. That's good info!!
      Hugs,
      Brenda

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  2. Thanks Brenda for this infomation, I too take calcium and other vitamins and do have reflux. I take so many vitamins that sometimes I skip a few days, now I am going to be more faithful taking them.

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    1. Your welcome, Sylvia. I am also hearing that apple cider vinegar is also good for acid reflux. I haven't really tried it yet, but plan to.
      Here's to good health!
      Thanks for visiting
      Brenda

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  3. Thank you for the information. YES MAM I know all about acid reflux! Actually they labeled mine GERD! I too take Calcium daily. They have me on 1200 mg. daily. I also do the bone density test every two years. A few years back my test came back showing ostopenia (I think is the name) so that is when they put me on the Calcium and also told me to exercise and gave me a list of things NOT to do. (Of course I have not always been faithful to abide by the list) Two years ago I tested great! No issues. This Friday is my next bone density! Praying it will be good too as I have been much, much more faithful to do better! I have been on prescribed medication for the GERD but recently had been able to cut back in half on that when I started doing "shots" of Braggs Organic Raw Apple Cider with raw honey. Have found myself not being very disciplined in the Braggs treatment like I should but oh Brenda I am trying to do things in a more natural way for healing. So hard when you can pop a pill but then that gets pricey in a hurry and popping pills isn't the answer to all things. I have found myself in a frame of mind of trying to FIX the problems at hand instead of just doctoring them up to be well a few days if that makes any sense. It just seems to be a battle with information overload at times. WHEW! I have taken over your post with all gibberish! Thanks so much sweet lady for the wealth of information you provide. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  4. Hi, Cindy:
    Mine was also labeled as GERD. DON'T like it at all!! It's horrible when it decides to rear it's ugly head... I always try to remember to take the meds, but may also try your suggestion. I asked my doctor about it one time and he says that it does work; although it's acidic, it really does help most with GERD. That was good news, but I get a little scared to try because I HATE IT when the acid returns. It's just horrible and it burns your throat and the TASTE...YUCK! Well, anyway, since it is working for you, I just might give it a try. I would also like to go more natural. There's a lot to say about those home remedies.
    I also have my bone density tests done. My last one was very good. I also lift weights; that helps to build bone. Any weight resistance is good; in other words, using bands are good, too, not just dumbbells or freeweights.
    Thanks for visiting. I ALWAYS love hearing from you.
    Here's to your health!
    Brenda

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  5. I have ridges on my nails, and so did my mom...didn't know it was from calcium. Though I've been most recently taking a calcium/magnesium supplement. I hope I see a difference.

    Thanks for the great information, Brenda.

    Blessings,
    Marianne xo

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