Calcium and You

Calcium is absorbed better when taken through-out the day. But then this could not really be all that possible right! After all, who would imagine oneself to drink in gallons of milk throughout the day, especially if you happen to be in the office! An ideal dose is at least twice a day. Possibly calcium taken at bedtime can stop bone loss that occurs at night, so one dose of the calcium should be taken late in the day.

Myths and Solutions
Old-fashioned advice about avoiding calcium increases the risk of both osteoporosis kidney stones. Calcium can also inhibit iron absorption. If you are iron deficient, space the iron and calcium supplements, and switch to calcium citrate. Calcium also inhibits absorption of thyroid medication. If a patient is on thyroid, give it in the morning and delay calcium supplementation until afternoon and evening. Calcium citrate has been shown to be more easily absorbed in when fasting, although if taken with citrus-containing breakfast, calcium carbonate was well absorbed. So if you're hungry and you happen to chew on Oranges, be sure to have a calcium tablet immediately for the best absorption.

Dietary protein and caffeine can increase urine loss of calcium, but they do not affect the absorption from the intestines. Especially caffeine can lead to the tissues getting dry! These effects can be measured and are statistically significant, but becomes clinically significant only at large intakes. Calcium absorption is inhibited to a modest degree by fiber in the diet. Although the calcium content in spinach is high, almost none gets absorbed, thanks to the fiber that exists in large quantities in spinach. it is no wonder that after you have had a large bowl of Spinach soup, you are like to have your tummy cleared of the unwanted and undigested food that was glorifying the size of your stomach.

Vitamin D must be adequate for optimal absorption of calcium. The vitamin D has a very long half-life and does not need to be taken at the same time as the calcium. If you are an avid walker, walking up the slope every morning to catch the first rays of the sun, then it would be a dual effect on you; as you tuck in your doses of both Calcium and Vitamin D together!

The mechanistic details of the effects of calcium on the skeleton are complex. Calcium alters the bone-related hormones and possibly the local hormones induced by mechanical stress. Calcium could alter the physical-chemical properties of the bone mineral. The major mechanism whereby calcium effects bone is probably through inhibition of PTH secretion. Direct effects of calcium on the calcium receptor could also play a role.

The flip side of large intakes of calcium could lead you to alkalosis. Intakes that are higher than 2,500 mg/day may not cause any noticeable side effects, but these doses do not help the bones. In fact it may make your kidneys work double shifts in trying to get rid of the excess calcium that you have so generously stuffed in! My suggestion would be for you to go natural! Maintain at least 2 glasses of milk, along with milk and dairy products. Avoid cooking the dairy products for optimum nutrition. After all good food never harmed anyone.