Calcium Worries… Should we be?

We are always being told that we need our calcium  with dairy being the “good” source. Instead of looking at all the other sources of calcium, trust me there are a lot of other better sources of calcium, let’s look at why we have a calcium problem. There must be a problem, because our elderly break their bones too easily and there is an increase in osteo-arthritis and osteoporosis. Why then, when society eats an abundance of calcium sources whether good or bad?

Has anyone every told you that there are foods that blocks calcium? Yup, there are lots and they tend to be the mainstay of the Standard American Diet (SAD). Let’s take a look and I will explain how.

If you drink coffee, soda pop or more than 2 alcoholic drinks a day, or have a high protein diet (this is the SAD with all the meat and meat products) the body becomes acidic. The body prefers and strives for an alkaline state. When it becomes acidic it will draw calcium from wherever it can get it (bones, teeth etc) to bring the body back to an alkaline state. This is called homeostasis.

If you are one of the 1.1 million Canadians with low levels of vitamin D, then the calcium you have/take cannot be absorbed properly in the digestive tract.

If you eat a lot of spinach, rhubarb, swiss chard, almonds, chocolate, carrots and other foods high in oxalate, you will not absorb the calcium.  Oxalates bind with calcium and cancels it out.

There is a factor that does not seem to be mentioned when it comes to absorption of vitamins and minerals.  Each vitamin and mineral needs their respective co-factors depending on what activity is to happen within the body. It is now usually stated that calciums’ co-factor is vitamin D, but if you are looking for bone health then you also have to add in magnesium, phosphorus,manganese, fluorine and the necessary vitamins. Nine times out of 10 it is lack of magnesium in the diet that causes brittle bones, not lack of calcium.  We have far more calcium in our diets, not always good, then we realize.  If you boil of your water and it leaves a white deposit, that is calcium.

I think you will find that it is not a lack of calcium which is causing brittle bones, but a serious lack of the co-factors to build strong bones, which is the magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, fluorine (too much, such as fluoridated water and toothpaste is toxic and causes mottling of the teeth)  from the minerals and vitamins A, C and D. That is the basics, as each of these minerals and vitamins have co-factors that help with their absorption and assimilation for the function needed.

Advertisements

The Magic Pill

Ours bodies need both macronutrients and micronutrients.  The macros are fats, carbs and protein. The micros are the vitamins and minerals that feed the cells.  When the cells do not receive enough micronutrients we eat more macronutrients. Thus begins the roller coaster ride.

We are not a society of too little protein, fats or carbohydrates, we actually have way too much. Our bodies are actually lacking vitamins and minerals. After a few years we end up with all different types of illnesses.  All of this as a result of too much fat, carbs and protein in our diets.  We then go to the doctor and they give us a pill to take away the symptom and make us feel better.

Does this actually help?  I think we all know the answer. Yes and No.  Yes, because, hey the nasty symptoms we were feeling are gone and we can go on with the way we live and eat without any change.  No, because the whole reason we have the symptoms has not been resolved, the lack of micronutrients of vitamins and minerals.  Eventually the “magic pill” ends up giving us more symptoms and destroys some of our organs.  If we choose to follow mainstream medicine, we will be given more “magic pills” that in the end are compounded. You see, the problem is the compounding of the “magic pills” has never been studied and they all have serious side effects.  We do end up living a shorter life and in more distress and pain than is needed.  The saddest thing……this is happening to our children now.

So… how do we reverse this.  Let’s go back to the beginning and see where things went wrong.  It has to do with lack of vitamins and minerals.  Unfortunately, taking isolate supplements and adding certain essential vitamins and minerals back into the food does not fool the body.  All micro and macro nutrients work synergistically, which means they work best and optimally in their original state as a whole food.

Since foods do cause addictions, I would never recommend someone to change their eating habits cold turkey. It would take time.  It is best to add or change one thing at a time until you get accustomed to having it as part of your routine.  Then you can make another change.  You will be amazed at how quickly certain symptoms will disappear without the need of a “magic pill”.

There are always other ways to feeling great without resorting to the “magic pill” and the negative compounding factor.  If you would like more information or know someone who might, by all means give me a shout and we can have a chat.

all the best