Monday, August 14, 2006

Finally...The Truth About Calcium Supplements

Undoubtedly calcium has become a hot topic of controversy. We are bombarded with advertising telling us exactly what will give our body more calcium. Between the "Got Milk?" slogans on one end and the Coral Calcium "cure-all" TV spots on the opposite end it is time that the truth be exposed. Let's look at why we need calcium and then some signs of calcium deficiency.

How the Body Uses Calcium:

Strong bones, teeth and gums
Maintaining a regular heartbeat
The lowering of cholesterol
Helps prevent cardiovascular disease
Needed for muscular growth and contraction
Prevents muscle cramps
Essential in blood clotting
Helps prevent cancer
May lower blood pressure
May prevent bone loss associated with osteoporosis
Helps to activate enzymes which breaks down fats
Maintains proper cell membrane permeability
Helps keep skin healthy
Protects against preeclampsia during pregnancy
Can help reduce high blood pressure in pregnancy
Protects the bones and teeth from lead by inhibiting absorption of this metal

Calcium DeficiencySymptoms:

Aching joints
Brittle nails
Eczema
Elevated blood cholesterol
Heart palpitations
High blood pressure
Muscle Cramps
Insomnia
Nervousness
Numbness in arms or legs
Rheumatoid arthritis
Tooth decay
Depression
Hyperactivity
Hives
Psoriasis

"Got Milk?"…Are You Really Getting Calcium?

No way! The damage that this one slogan is doing to the health of Americans, especially children, is tremendous. Consider the following written by Robert Cohen (www.notmilk.com):

A publication in the February, 2003 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Vol. 77, No. 2, 504-511) clearly demonstrates that eighteen years of milk consumption
did not prevent hip fractures for post-menopausal women.

How many subjects participated in the study?

A mere 72,337. As part of Walter Willett's Harvard Nurses Study, investigator Diane Feskanich performed statistical tests of significance for 18 years of data including dietary
intake of calcium (dairy and supplements) to determine her findings.

The conclusion reached from this observational analyses, is that dietary calcium plays little or no role in preventing bone loss. Drinking milk does not prevent osteoporosis. A
total of 603 hip fractures were analyzed. Scientists determined that milk consumption was in no way associated with hip fracture risk. The same conclusion was reached for
total calcium consumption.

The Harvard Nurses study previously determined that there is no positive association between teenaged milk consumption and the risk of adult fractures. (American Journal of Public Health 1997;87). As a matter of fact, just the opposite was found to be true. Women consuming greater amounts of calcium from dairy foods suffered significantly increased risks of hip fractures.

In light of these findings, the dairy industry milk mustache campaign has been proven to be one enormous deception. Bones break because women eating the wrong foods create an acid condition in their own bloodstreams, which must be neutralized by available calcium. The body achieves balance by taking calcium out of its own bones. Ergo, people eating the greatest amount of total animal protein are the ones experiencing accelerated rates of bone loss. The same Journal of Clinical Nutrition, (1995; 61, 4) confirmed this
truth:

"Dietary protein increases production of acid in the blood which can be neutralized by calcium mobilized from the skeleton."

Eighteen years earlier, as the Harvard Nurses study was just beginning, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1979;32,4) reported:

"Even when eating 1,400 mg of calcium daily, one can lose up to 4% of his or her bone mass each year while consuming a high-protein diet."
Why do you imagine that today's most recent study will not be publicized on tonight's 6 PM news, or headlined in your local newspaper? Because it lacks one critical ingredient.
Cash. For a story to be released, it must be accompanied by paid dairy industry advertising. In this deceptively dangerous manner, most of us get our biased health
information.

Dr. Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP is a Doctor of Naturopath, Clinical Nutritionist and Holistic Health Practitioner in the Houston, TX area and Founder / CEO of Oasis Advanced Wellness. Dr. Lanphier is Editor of the worldwide E-newsletter Advanced Health & Wellness. www.oasisadvancedwellness.com Be sure and visit our hormonal balancing site at www.menopause-pms-progesterone.org and www.oasisserene.com

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