The Calcium Story

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The Importance of Calcium

With the growing incidence of osteoporosis, the average person understands that there is a connection between calcium and strong, healthy bones. Definitely true. But this is just the tip of the calcium iceberg. Unfortunately, the information about calcium and its function in the body is often misleading and insufficient. The calcium/osteoporosis relationship is similar to the relationship between calcium and many of the degenerative, age-related diseases.

The story begins with our blood. Blood carries oxygen to the cells of our body. Therefore, it is imperative that blood be alkaline i.e. oxygen rich. In fact, blood has a slightly alkaline pH of 7.4 and must be maintained between 7.3 and 7.5 or we will die. Our bodies have a homeostatic mechanism that maintains the blood pH within these very tight alkaline boundaries. To accomplish this, our bodies use calcium, one of the primary alkalizing minerals, to bind excess acid and then excrete it through the kidney. If there is not enough calcium available, our bodies will pull calcium from our bones in order to neutralize the acidic environment. If the calcium drain persists, osteoporosis appears and eventually the bones of the body literally dissolve. Osteoporosis is not the only result of dietary calcium deficiency. In addition, this acidic, calcium deficient environment can produce tissue inflammation, calcium deposits, swollen joints, body aches, tumors, lymph congestion, excess mucus production, skin problems, allergies, colds, flu, swollen tonsils and loss of eyesight -- just to name a few. How many of these symptoms do you have? (For more details please see the links/reference page.)

Calcium & Weight Management

Have you noticed that as a nation, we are getting fatter? In fact 65% of all American adults are overweight. Because weight has become such an enormous health care problem for our young people and adults alike, more and more research is being done in this area.

A recent study conducted by the University of Tennessee, under the direction of Dr. Michael Zemel of the University's Nutrition Institute, concludes that there is an inverse relationship between calcium intake and the fat stored in the body. According to Dr. Zemel, "Dietary calcium sends a signal to your fat cells to crank up their fat burning ability. And basically they start burning fat faster."

The implications are obvious -- calcium deficiency is wreaking havoc with our health. The lack of calcium in our bodies contributes to making us fat and sick. Considering the seriousness of the ramifications of calcium deficiency, the partial information about calcium becomes even more problematic.

Calcium Absorption

Many well-intentioned people have responded to the call of deficient calcium by adding calcium rich foods and/or calcium supplements to their diet. Yet they still experience problems. Why? It is not enough to take a supplement and assume that it is being absorbed and utilized. Too often, because of the 'maladapted'system the calcium is not being absorbed. (Which is why we all need to check our saliva pH daily. Our saliva pH is a good indicator of the amount of calcium in the body.)

Calcium and the other alkalizing minerals are critical to proper body function. However, our bodies cannot make minerals. We must obtain them from an outside source, digest them and absorb them before they can be utilized. Theoretically we should be able to get the minerals we need from the foods we eat. But the typical 'modern' diet is almost devoid of minerals. Proteins, carbohydrates and sodas don't have minerals. Even if you eat an ample serving of fruits and vegetables you will not get sufficient minerals to support your alkaline reserves because our soil has been depleted of minerals for decades. Because there has been such a lack of minerals available in our diet for so long, most of us have 'maladapted'our ability to absorb them.

In addition, calcium must be accompanied by adequate amounts of Vitamin D in order to be absorbed. So if the amount of Vitamin D is less than required, the calcium will not be absorbed.

As if all that is not enough, throw into the equation the fact that not all calcium compounds are easily absorbed by the intestine and therefore must be fully digested during the time that they are in the stomach - approximately 45 minutes. Sufficient stomach acid is required for the calcium compound to be broken down and digested in the time allowed in order to insure adequate calcium absorption. Unfortunately, due to the 'mal-adaptation' of our system, most of us lack the necessary amount of stomach acid to do the job. Compelling evidence of our inability to absorb calcium is a national average saliva pH of 6.2. Where are you on the pH scale?

All these issues can be addressed by adding MMP Green Ionic, Primary & Trace Minerals to your regimen.