Nutritional Survey Group A Recommendations
CALCIUM ?
If you scored two or more you may be lacking proper Calcium and Magnesium
balance in your body. These vital minerals have many functions in the body,
and are known to effect long term health
Recent research at leading universities has shown what was suspected for
a long time - namely that many trace minerals are needed for optimal absorption
and retention of calcium in an absorbable form.
Suggested Products:
Bio Calcium contains the minerals magnesium, manganese, boron, zinc, and
copper which have been shown to increase the uptake of calcium by the bone.*
Which is why it's the logical choice of seniors, athletes, and anyone else
concerned about getting enough calcium.
Bio Calcium
Mineral Toddy
Ultra Body Toddy
Calcium is the most common mineral in the human body, where it is
present in almost the same relative abundance as in the earth's crust. There
are six stable isotopes of calcium: calcium40
is the most common (97 %), and calcium46
the least abundant (0.003 %). The ratios of the stable calcium isotopes in
all terrestrial materials are virtually identical and were determined during
nucleosynthesis 4.5 billion years ago. That humans have this same isotopic
composition is no surprise, because dietary calcium depends on the isotopic
composition of the soil. Calcium is present in variable amounts in all the
foods and water we consume, although the main sources are dairy products and
vegetables.
Approximately 99% of total body calcium is in the skeleton and teeth and
1% in blood and soft tissues. Calcium has four major biological functions:
- structural as stores in the skeleton
- electrophysiological - carries charge during an action potential across
membranes
- intracellular regulator, and 4) as a cofactor for extracellular enzymes
and regulatory proteins.
CALCIUM IMPORTANCE:
Calcium builds and maintains bones and teeth; regulates heart rhythm; eases
insomnia; helps regulate the passage of nutrients in & out of the cell walls;
assists in normal blood clotting; helps maintain proper nerve and muscle function;
lowers blood pressure; important to normal kidney function and in current
medical research reduces the incidence of colon cancer, and reduces blood
cholesterol levels.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:
May result in arm and leg muscles spasms, softening of bones, back and leg
cramps, brittle bones, rickets, poor growth, osteoporosis ( a deterioration
of the bones), tooth decay, depression.
Acute deficiency symptoms are avoided because of the large skeletal stores.
Prolonged bone resorption from chronic dietary deficiency results in osteoporosis
either by inadequate accumulation of bone mass during growth or increased
rate of bone loss at menopause. Dietary calcium deficiency also has been associated
with increased risk of hypertension, preeclampsia, and colon cancer.
Dietary recommendations: The dietary recommendations set by the
1994 NIH Conference on Optimal Calcium Intakes are:
| Age
or condition
|
(years) |
mg/day |
| Infants |
0-0.5 |
400 |
|
0.5-1.0 |
600 |
| Children |
1-5 |
800 |
|
6-10 |
800-1200 |
| Adolescents/ Young Adults
|
11-24 |
1200 |
| Women |
25-50 |
1000 |
| Women Pregnant
|
|
1200-1500 |
| Women Postmenopausal
|
>50 |
|
| On estrogens |
|
1000 |
| No estrogens |
|
1500 |
| Men |
25-65 |
1000 |
| Men |
>65 |
1500 |
|
1997 ADEQUATE INTAKE
VALUE FOR CALCIUM
|
babies:
birth to 6 months
6 to 12 months |
210 mg per day
270 mg per day |
children:
1 to 3 years
4 to 8 years
9 to 13 years |
500 mg per day
800 mg per day
1,300 mg per day |
adults:
14 to 18 years
19 to 50 years
51+ years |
1,300 mg per day
1,000 mg per day
1,200 mg per day |
pregnant women:
18 years or less
19 to 50 years |
1,300 mg per day
1,000 mg per day |
nursing mothers:
18 years or less
19 to 50 years |
1,300 mg per day
1,000 mg per day |
Food sources: Dairy products are the most concentrated, well absorbed
sources of calcium. Few other foods are rich sources of calcium. Foods which
can contribute to dietary calcium include firm tofu (chemically set with calcium),
dried beans, kale, broccoli, and bok choy. Calcium from oxalate rich foods
such as spinach is generally poorly absorbed. Phytates are slightly inhibitory
to absorption. Since FDA allows a label claim relating calcium to prevention
of osteoporosis, some fortified foods have become available on the market.
Toxicity: Symptoms of calcium toxicity are largely anecdotal. Excess
calcium supplementation may lead to mineral imbalances, e.g., magnesium, iron,
and zinc.
Recent research: Calcium supplementation during adolescence increases
bone mineral content. Sodium intakes may influence calcium requirements. Vitamin
D receptor genotyping may predict individuals who respond to calcium supplementation.
For further information:
NIH Consensus Conference (1994) Optimal Calcium Intake. JAMA 272(24): 1942-1948
Weaver, C.M. & Plawecki, K.L. (1994) Dietary calcium: adequacy of a vegetarian
diet, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 59:1238-1241S
Matkovic, V., Ilich, J.Z., Andon, M.B., Hsieh, L.C., Tzagournis, M.A.,
Lagger, B.J. & Goel, P.K. (1995) Urinary calcium, sodium, and bone mass in
young females. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 62: 417-425.
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