Calcium (WAS: electrolyte imbalance)

[Guest guest]

Anna,

Here is a post for you. I don't think that taking calcium supplements is

going to solve your problem:

 

 

• Calcium is a buffer, meaning that it helps to regulate acidity in the

blood. It has been found that people who consume diets that are high in

animal proteins have a higher TISSUE acidity level and are more prone

to fractures and related bone conditions. This is because the HIGHER TISSUE

acidity requires calcium to be leached from the bones to control

the acid levels. So the first step to increasing bone density and

calcium levels is reducing the amount of meat AND DAIRY consumed.

 

• Keep in mind that once calcium is released from the bones to balance

TISSUE acidity levels it cannot be reabsorbed and is excreted in the

urine.

 

• Acid foods like juice cause the body to leach calcium from the bones.

So stay away from juice or greatly reduce your intake, even if they

claim to be good sources of calcium. They are not. The amount of calcium

added to the juices do not compensate for the amount that is being lost

as a result of consuming them. CALCIUM ABSORPTION REQUIRES SUFFICIENT ACIDITY

TO BE PRESENT IN THE STOMACH AND THEREFORE SMALL QUANTITIES OF ORGANIC ACIDS

SUCH AS LEMON JUICE, APPLE CIDER VINAGER, OR VITAMIN C ARE HELPFUL IN INCREASING

CALCIUM ABSORPTION.

 

• If you must take calcium supplements, make sure that they have at

least equal amounts of magnesium. (CHECK LABEL FOR AMOUNT OF "ELEMENTAL CALCIUM

AND MAGNESIUM") MAKE SURE THESE SUPPLEMENTS ALSO CONTAIN VIT. D.

 

• Vitamin D is critical for the absorption of calcium at the level of

the intestine, so get regular exposure to sunlight. Although the body has

long

term stores of Vitamin D so you don't have to stress out about not

getting enough light in the winter, YOU MAY NEED TO TAKE A VIT. D SUPPLEMENT

IN THE WINTER, ESP. IF YOU ARE NOT CONSUMING FISH.

 

• Studies have shown that after menopause vitamink K helps with the

absorption of calcium. Vitamin K is manufactured by the beneficial

bacteria in your gut, so it is recommended to regularly consume

beneficial bacteria like acidophilus. Acidophilus can be taken in

supplement form and it is also found in properly fermented yogourts (eat

organic wherever possible and try to stay away from ultra-filtered

yogourt). VITAMIN K IS ALSO VERY PREVALENT IN GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES.

 

• The high phosphorus in soft drinks seems to be related to high

incidences of fractures even in kids, so stay away from all carbonated

drinks, ESPECIALLY DIET DRINKS WITH THOSE HORRIBLE SUGAR SUBSITUTES.

Cola drinks are especially bad as they have the added PROBLEM of being

high in caffeine, but all carbonated drinks (including mineral waters)

should be avoided. Also keep in mind that one can of regular pop has 8

teaspoons of white sugar AND INCREASES TISSUE ACIDITY.

 

• Acidic foods help to increase the ability of calcium to be absorbed by

the body. Examples of benefical acids are Vitamin C (ALL VEGETABLES FROM

THE CABBAGE FAMILY ARE HIGH IN VIT. C), citric acid (ie -

lemon juice), lactic acid (found in yogourt, sauerkraut and other

fermented foods), sourdough, and vinegar (NOT white vinegar - it is good

for

washing windows but nothing else. Apple cider vinegar is a properly aged

vinegar). The acid of the stomach also helps, of course. All minerals

have to be broken apart to be able to be absorbed and this is what these

acids do.

 

• Do not smoke, and do not drink ALCOHOL. These two bad habits can seriously

impair your ability to absorb calcium (and your overall health for a multitude

of reasons).

 

• A word regarding the phytic acid controversy: phytic acid is found in

graines and legumes and it has been purported to interfere with the

absorption of calcium, but this has not been proven. Do not avoid grains

and legumes as they are a CRUCIAL part of a well-balanced diet.

 

Here are some great sources of calcium. For the sake of comparison I am

putting milk on the list just so you can see that it is NOT the best

source of the mineral, contrary to what the dairy boards would have you

believe. I am not a milk proponent and do not drink it myself. Yogourt

and hard cheeses are preferable and acceptable forms of that food, but

do not rely on them for your calcium intake. If you regularly eat a lot

of the foods on the list below and make a concerted effort to reduce

your intake of animal proteins you can easily meat your calcium needs. IT

HAS BEEN FOUND THAT THE CALCIUM FROM GREEN VEGETABLES IS THE ONE THAT IS

BEST ABSORBED BY THE BODY, SO MAKE SURE YOU GET AT LEAST ONE TO TWO PORTIONS

OF THESE FOODS DAILY

Keep in mind that calcium requirements for meat eaters are a lot higher

than for vegetarians AND ARE THE BASIS ON WHICH GOVERNMENTS HAVE BASED THEIR

RECOMMENDED INTAKE FOR CALCIUM. MOST VEGETABLES SOURCES OF CALCIUM ARE ALSO

GOOD SOURCES OF MAGNESIUM AS WELL AS OTHER MINERALS IMPORTANT FOR STRONG

BONES.

 

CalciUm amounts indicated in mg/100g of food:

 

Cow's milk 130

Goat's milk 140

Cheddar cheese 740

 

Chick peas 150

Whole sugar (succanat) 90

Soya beans 280

Carob 290

Sardines with bones 300

Sesame seeds (ground) 1300 (!!!!)

Almonds 250

Hazelnuts 220

Brazil nuts 150 Sunflower seeds 90

Sprouted barley 280

sprouted wheat 180

 

Amaranth 150

Quinoa 60

 

Turnip greens 420

Collard greens 420

Broccolli 120

Cabbage 120

Kale somewhere from 120 - 400

 

Seaweeds (1/4 c. cooked)

Hijiki 152

Wakame 130

Kombu 76.4

 

Tofu (calcium set) 138

Tempeh (1/2 c cooked) 129

Egg (1 whole) 24mg

Figs (dried) 170

apricots (dried) 90

dates (dried) 80

raisins (dried) 60

 

Note: Swiss chard, beet tops and cocoa are also great sources of calcium

but should not be consumed more than once a week because they contain

high levels of oxalic acid which can interfere with calcium absorption. SESAME

SEEDS ALSO CONTAIN OXALIC ACID, BUT HAVE SO MUCH CALCIUM THAT MORE FREQUENT

CONSUMPTION IS FINE.

 

aljuarez wrote:

Thanks, karly,

I will try taking more calcium... maybe potassium, too.

 

And you're right about downing the H20!! Very important!! Lots of people

 

forget or think that other liquids (e.g. coffee or tea) count as "water"

but

they don't.

 

- Anna

 

karly writes:

 

>

> Hi Anna,

> I do know that a lack of calcium and not enough water

> can cause these too. I take extra calcium and start

> downing the h20. Other people I know say it's a need

> for salt and put a tsp. in there hand and lick it up!

> :0

> karly-

>

>

 

 

Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following:

1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire.

2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any natural

remedy.

3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician and

to

prescribe for your own health.

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as

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Dr. Ian Shillington

Doctor of Naturopathy

Dr.IanShillington