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Calcium & Magnesium: Both elements share left / right-sided cell receptors and are essential to
human health. Calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) have become the "Gold Standard" when discussing
supplements, mineral ratios, paired cell receptors, or many nutrition-related health issues in general.
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Calcium is now the most promoted nutrient by proponents of conventional, nutritional, and alternative
medicine - yet at the same time, the assumed need is based purely on the speculation that the body's
calcium intake is well below its requirements.
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Of the approximately 1,000 g of calcium in the average 70 kg adult body, almost 98% is found in bone,
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1% in teeth, and the rest is found in blood, extracellular fluids, and within cells where it is a co-factor for
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a number of enzymes. Calcium promotes blood clotting by activating the protein fibrin, and along with
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magnesium helps to regulate the heart beat, muscle tone, muscle contraction and nerve conduction.
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Parathyroid hormone (PHT) secreted by the parathyroid gland and calcitonin secreted by the thyroid
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gland maintain serum calcium levels at a range of between 8.5 to 10.5, whereby calcium is mobilized
from bone reserves, and intestinal absorption of calcium is increased as needed. The parathormone
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can also affect renal functions to retain more calcium. When blood calcium rises from too much para-
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thyroid activity, calcitonin reduces availability of calcium from bone.
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The calcium to phosphorus ratio in bone is about 2.5:1, while the ideal dietary phosphorus / calcium
ratio is estimated to be about 1:1. Many dietary factors reduce calcium uptake, such as foods high
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in oxalic acid (spinach, rhubarb, chocolate), which can interfere with calcium absorption by forming
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insoluble salts in the gut. Phytic acid, or phytates found in whole grain products, foods rich in fiber,
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excess caffeine from coffee, colas, tea..., as well as certain medications may all reduce the absorption
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of calcium and other minerals, or leach calcium from bone. Normal intake of protein, fats, and acidic
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foods help calcium absorption, however high levels of these same sources increase calcium loss.
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Chronic calcium deficiency is associated with some forms of hypertension, prostate and colorectal
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cancer, some types of kidney stones, miscarriage, birth (heart) defects in children when the mother is
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deficient in calcium during pregnancy, menstrual and pre-menstrual problems, various bone, joint and
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periodontal diseases, sleep disturbances, mental health / depressive disorders, cardiovascular and/or
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hemorrhagic diseases, and others (see page 2).
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Elevated calcium levels are associated with arthritic / joint and vascular degeneration, calcification of
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soft tissue, hypertension and stroke, an increase in VLDL triglycerides, gastrointestinal disturbances,
mood and depressive disorders, chronic fatigue, increased alkalinity, and general mineral imbalances.
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High calcium levels interfere with Vitamin D and subsequently inhibit the vitamin's cancer-protective
effect unless extra amounts of Vitamin D are supplemented.
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Magnesium: There are about 19 g of Mg in the average 70 kg adult body, of which approximately 65%
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is found in bone and teeth, and the rest is distributed between the blood, body fluids, organs and other
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tissue. Magnesium is involved in the synthesis of protein, and it is an important co-factor in more than
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300 enzymatic reactions in the human body, many of which contribute to the production of energy, and
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with cardiovascular functions. While calcium affects muscle contractions, magnesium balances that
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effect and relaxes muscles. Most of magnesium is inside the cell, and while iron is the central atom in
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hemoglobin, magnesium is the central core of the chlorophyll molecule in plant tissue.
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Although the process of absorption for magnesium is similar to that of calcium, some people absorb
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or retain much more magnesium than calcium (or more calcium than magnesium), so the commonly
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suggested supplemental intake ratio of 2:1 for calcium and magnesium is really an arbitrary value that
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can change significantly under various individual circumstances. (see also Acu-Cell "Mineral Ratios").
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Low levels of magnesium can be a causative, contributing, or aggravating factor with kidney stones
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(usual recommendations for prevention are 400mg of magnesium oxide and 50mg of Vitamin B6 daily),
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high blood pressure, mitral valve prolapse (MVP), arrhythmia, tachycardia, coronary artery spasm and
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other types of heart problems, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or menstrual cramps, tetany (sustained
contractions, convulsions), (pre)eclampsia - particularly when too much iron and not enough folic acid
was taken during pregnancy, insomnia, anxieties, chronic constipation, hyperactivity - particularly with
children, and others (see bottom of page).
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However, frequent and excessive use of magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) or antacid remedies such
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as Milk of Magnesia can eventually trigger a number of medical problems resulting from other minerals
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such as calcium, sodium, iron, or potassium getting out of balance. This is more prevalent with kidney
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diseases and may include severe fatigue, depression, low blood pressure, gastrointestinal problems,
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dizziness, dehydration / dry skin, diarrhea, muscular / joint problems and cardiovascular diseases.
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Serum Calcium may change with kidney, or parathyroid diseases, but it doesn't change with high or
low dietary calcium intake, subsequently it cannot be used as a deficiency or excess indicator --- the
body simply makes up any additional needs from bone reserves. Other methods to assess someone's
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calcium requirements include a 24-hour urine collection (not accurate at all), or a bone scan. The latter
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doesn't measure calcium specifically either, but assesses overall bone density, which reflects the total
content of all other minerals present in bone as well.
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In other words - there is no routine, mainstream test available that will accurately assess a patient's
nutritional requirements for calcium, magnesium, and most other essential trace minerals outside of
using intracellular measurements, for which Digital Fluorescence Imaging, or Acu-Cell Analysis can
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be used. However, changes in serum calcium do provide important information about various hormonal
or organic disturbances, including excessive Vitamin D status, or the possible presence of cancer with
elevated serum calcium levels.
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Calcium and magnesium belong to a group of "parasympathetic" elements (which includes chromium
and copper), that exhibit anti-inflammatory or degenerative properties at higher amounts, in contrast to
elements such as potassium or iron, which are pro-inflammatory when high:
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 inflammatorydegenerative
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<--------------------------------------- Ca, Mg, Cu, Cr -------------------------------------->
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low amountshigh amounts
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degenerativeinflammatory
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<---------------------------------------- K, Fe, Mn, Zn --------------------------------------->
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low amountshigh amounts
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An interesting aspect about these trace minerals is the similarity of medical conditions that result
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from both, excessive, or deficient levels. For instance, low calcium or copper levels increase the risk
for vascular (cerebral) hemorrhage, while high levels promote vascular degeneration (arteriosclerosis).
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With arthritis, low calcium or copper levels cause inflammatory types of joint disease, while high levels
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cause degenerative (osteo-arthritic) joint damage.
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Depression can be related to high and low levels of calcium and/or magnesium also, with low levels
being oftentimes associated with anxieties as well. After comparing the backgrounds of patients who
required very high doses (4,000+mg) of calcium a day - just to barely reach normal levels, it turned out
that a very large percentage had a history of benzodiazepine (tranquilizers / sedatives) use.
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These drugs either affected their body's ability to utilize calcium and/or magnesium properly, or those
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minerals levels in these patients had already been extremely deficient before taking any medications,
provoking insomnia, anxieties, or other symptoms, and resulting in drugs (benzodiazepines) being
prescribed instead of having the real cause (mineral deficiencies) corrected. Unfortunately, this type
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of symptomatic drug therapy continues to be a trademark of modern medicine.
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Drugs such as Aspirin, or other NSAIDs increase magnesium (and sometimes calcium) requirements
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also, but they are more dependent on frequency or dosages used, or on someone's kidney functions,
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which are generally affected by these drugs. At the same time, the extra requirements for magnesium
or calcium are just an additional percentage of the Recommended Dietary (or Daily) Allowance (RDA).
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Osteoporosis can result from both, low and high levels of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, fluoride,
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chromium, copper, silicon (and Vitamin D), but mostly as a result of their improper ratios to one another.
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There are just as many patients with excessive, as with deficient calcium levels, whereby the treatment
chiefly consists of having them supplement whichever co-factors are low in ratio to calcium, which may
include manganese, phosphorus (protein), magnesium, zinc, Vitamin C..., or the use of acid-raising
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digestive aids to increase solubility or bioavailability of calcium. (see also Acu-Cell "Osteoporosis").
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Random intake of high amounts of calcium for the prevention of osteoporosis can be bad news for a
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person's cardiovascular system, since it is frequently promoted without any individual assessment to
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prove that it is indeed calcium which is really needed, and not any of several co-factors which help
absorption of calcium into bone. As mentioned already, the foremost treatment when dealing with
mineral-related medical conditions is to correct their ratios. Deficiency symptoms - particularly those
involving calcium and copper - can still take place despite their levels being above-normal when either
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associated, or interactive minerals are higher yet.
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Vitamin K fulfills an important role in the utilization of calcium and prevention of osteoporosis through
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its effect on osteocalcin, which helps maintain calcium in bone, but at the same time keeps it out of soft
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tissue. While Vitamin D helps in the synthesis of osteocalcin, Vit K is required for it to function properly.
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Research has shown that both, Vitamin K and Vitamin E help reduce calcification of arteries, however
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Vitamin K (ideally in the form of K2) was additionally able to slow calcium loss in those with a tendency
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to lose it, and that it better helped maintain bone density and prevent osteoporosis than Vitamin D and
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synthetic estrogen.
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Individuals who exhibit below-normal calcium or magnesium levels get away with more atherogenic
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(junk) diets compared to those with normal or higher levels, and I always point out to patients that once
their calcium or magnesium levels are raised, they will have to watch their sugar and (trans) fat intake
more. The reasons are very simple:
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Calcium raises:VLDL TriglyceridesMagnesium raises:LDL Cholesterol
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Calcium lowers:MCT & SCTMagnesium lowers:HDL Cholesterol
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Calcium lowers:Total TriglyceridesMagnesium lowers:Total Cholesterol
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Calcium lowers:PhosphorusMagnesium lowers:Sodium
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MCT = Medium Chain TriglyceridesSCT = Short Chain Triglycerides
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For the above reasons, calcium and magnesium, at higher amounts, exhibit atherogenic properties.
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They also lower phosphorus and sodium respectively, which, if lowered too much, will have an additive
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effect of low phosphorus independently raising VLDL triglycerides, and low sodium independently
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raising LDL cholesterol. This degenerative effect produced by high levels of calcium and magnesium
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generally takes place over a number of years - not just in a few months.
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Short-term studies have demonstrated that magnesium may reverse atherosclerosis, however, while
this may be true initially, it can have the exact opposite (LDL-promoting) effect in the long run. This is
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why it is so important to compare and evaluate nutritional studies which not only use identical amounts
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and types of nutrients and the same testing methods, but also similar lengths of trials. Obviously, human
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and animal study results are not always interchangeable either.
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High concentrations of magnesium have been shown to have antithrombotic action and to inhibit
platelet aggregation and adhesion in vitro, while intravenous magnesium is known to inhibit platelet
function in vivo, additive to Aspirin, so the antiplatelet effect of intravenously administered magnesium
might be of benefit to those with acute coronary syndromes when given before the development of an
occlusive thrombotic clot. However, Myocardial Infarctions (heart attacks) can still take place either
despite of, or because of long-term oral intake of high doses of magnesium if intracellular levels of
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magnesium have gone excessively high, and sodium levels have gone excessively low.
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To help boost calcium levels in individuals with chronically low calcium absorption, supplementing
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Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) can be helpful in inhibiting the antagonistic action of phosphorus (if high),
while taking extra Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) will increase magnesium uptake by inhibiting sodium and iron.
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A Magnesium+Vitamin B2 combination can be effective in relieving one-sided migraines if caused by
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elevated iron or sodium. Titanium implants support calcium, but not magnesium retention.
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Higher amounts of Vitamin B6 will also increase magnesium retention, although this only takes place
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following long-term oral supplementation, while regular Vitamin B6 injections will quickly result in a
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high magnesium / low calcium ratio.
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If not matched to a patient's requirements (which happens frequently when Vitamin B6 + Vitamin B12
injections are given at Weight Loss Clinics), a severe calcium deficiency develops. This by itself -
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or when aggravated by an overstimulated thyroid from the regular Vitamin B6 + B12 shots - can result
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in insomnia, heart palpitations, chest pains, anxieties, depression, mood swings, joint / muscle pains,
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and other symptoms. (see also Acu-Cell "Diets").
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In low sodium types, regular intake of higher doses of Vitamin B6 creates a somewhat different picture,
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where the raising effect on magnesium will also result in an increasingly higher magnesium / calcium
ratio, however in addition to lowering lithium and eventually calcium levels, an abnormally high retention
of magnesium will result in dramatically lower sodium and silicon, but increased phosphorus levels.
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Common long-term effects include spinal degeneration at T1 (with right-sided symptoms in the upper
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back / shoulder area) and at L2, along with general osteo-arthritic changes in various joints.
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As a result, Vitamin B6 therapy should only be used for someone with an otherwise difficult-to-manage
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low magnesium / high calcium ratio (where calcium is always high, and magnesium is always low).
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With a low calcium / high magnesium ratio and a general acidic disposition, supplementing larger
amounts of Vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid can be a problem not only for those with a sensitive
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stomach, but also for calcium uptake since too much acid results in calcium loss. While some types of
'Buffered C' such as Calcium Ascorbate help in milder cases, Sodium Ascorbate would be another
option in more severe cases, provided there is no sodium sensitivity, or a history of kidney disease.
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Boron supplementation may be a consideration for individuals with chronically low calcium and
magnesium levels, however since boron inhibits manganese, it would be best suited for those with
congestive liver disease who generally exhibit higher manganese levels (manganese inhibits calcium
and magnesium), but not for those whose manganese levels are already on the low side.
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Adequate Vitamin D levels will assist intestinal absorption of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.
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Excessive intake of Vitamin D will result in above-normal serum calcium levels, and calcium loss from
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bone. So while supplementing larger amounts of Vitamin D may protect from several types of cancer or
be indicated with certain neurodegenerative conditions such as multiple sclerosis, excessive amounts
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(long-term) unfortunately also lead to osteoporosis and calcification of arteries and other soft tissue.
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Contrary to the claims of uninformed sources, Low Stomach Acid does not pose a problem with
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calcium absorption, as even patients with no acid production (achlorhydria) are able to absorb calcium
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regardless of whether it comes in the form of calcium citrate, calcium carbonate, or milk. However low
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stomach acid affects the proper utilization of calcium, frequently resulting in calcium being deposited
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into soft tissue instead of bone, which as mentioned, increases the risk for developing arthritis, spurs,
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cerebral and cardiovascular calcification, bone loss, and many related physical and mental disorders.
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High Stomach Acid is of equal concern since it will frequently result in calcium loss, with the same
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rules applying to magnesium as well. However, from their lowering effect on acid levels, high calcium
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and/or magnesium intake can have a significant impact on medical conditions that are already affected
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by abnormally low stomach acid levels.
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For instance, if infected with Helicobacter Pylori, the bacteria is always more active under low acid
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conditions, while long-term infections with H. Pylori, or salt-restricted diets can at times reduce stomach
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acid levels enough to affect / impair Vitamin B12 uptake.
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As a result, the best forms of calcium may be chosen based on an individual's tendency for low stomach
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acid or constipation, for which calcium citrate is usually better suited, in contrast to a tendency for softer
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stools or high stomach acid, for which calcium carbonate or calcium oxide may be a better choice.
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From more than 30 years of patient feedback on their tolerance, and from monitoring the absorption of
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various types of calcium (and other minerals), I have personally found Amino Acid Chelated Calcium to
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be the most consistently tolerated, while at the same time needing the least amount of supplementation
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to meet requirements.
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Nutritional texts stating that "calcium is best taken between meals or in the absence of foods when the
stomach is more acidic" were likely written at a time when research findings were primarily based on
the older urinary increment tests, but have long since proven invalid. Scientific studies done with
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Radioisotope Analysis or intracellular tests such as Acu-Cell Analysis show clearly that most types of
calcium fall into the same 30-40% absorption range, regardless of solubility:
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31% for calcium from milk,
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32% for calcium acetate (most soluble form),25% elemental,
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32% for calcium lactate13% elemental,
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27% for calcium gluconate9.3% elemental,
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30% for calcium citrate21% elemental,
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39% for calcium carbonate(least soluble form)40% elemental,
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The range of absorption narrows even further and increases percentage-wise when calcium is taken
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in smaller doses of 300 mg - 500 mg throughout the day (as needed), which is particularly helpful for
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people who are not able to absorb higher amounts (1,000+mg) of calcium in a single meal. However
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the largest single dose of the day is best taken in the evening since calcium requirements are greatest
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during sleep, hence deficiency symptoms such as nocturnal leg cramps or insomnia...
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When supplemented with food, overall uptake of all types of calcium is additionally up to 30% greater,
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and absorption between calcium citrate and calcium carbonate for instance becomes virtually identical.
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Inconsistencies are found only when calcium is supplemented in different forms, such as tablets versus
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gelatin capsules, where the gelatin itself may not dissolve properly in a low acid environment.
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Coral Calcium is a heavily promoted product with lots of anecdotal success stories and the usual
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unsubstantiated claims of miracle cures. Because of the many forms of coral calcium with different
nutritional formulations sold, there is no predictability as to the actual calcium uptake a patient may
expect. See Acu-Cell "Diets & MLM" for details on coral calcium, side effects, and patient response.
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AAACa / AdvaCAL Calcium consists of a patented oyster shell supplement that is made by heating
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calcium to about 800°C, which breaks calcium carbonate up into calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide.
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It is then combined with a heated algal ingredient to form AAACa. According to its developer Dr. Fujita,
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AAACa was apparently more effective increasing trabecular bone density than calcium carbonate or
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AACA alone (without the algal ingredient) containing the same amount of elemental calcium but without
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the need for Vitamin D. If its high cost is no object, perhaps the potential health risks associated with
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eliminating Vitamin D should be (see Acu-Cell "Diets & MLM" for detailed information on AdvaCal).
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***
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Stomach acid levels not only affect the absorption of Calcium & Magnesium (and vice versa), but
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also Iron & Manganese (and vice versa), however both mineral pairs interact in opposite directions:
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Higher acid levels in the upper portion of the stomach support iron uptake, but result in calcium loss,
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while higher acid levels in the lower portion of the stomach support manganese uptake, but result in
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magnesium loss.
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The effect of acid production in the upper portion of the stomach on magnesium and manganese, and
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that of the lower portion of the stomach on calcium and iron, is negligible unless here is a significant
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conflict with a patient's Ca/Mn or Fe/Mg ratio, or acid-lowering drugs are used, such as Proton Pump
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Inhibitors (Nexium, Prevacid, Losec / Prilosec...), which - as expected - will raise magnesium levels
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following a reduction of acid in the lower portion of the stomach, however the effect of these drugs on
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liver functions will result in excessive manganese levels.
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