HOW IMPORTANT IS CALCIUM?

January 11, 2005

HOW IMPORTANT IS CALCIUM? JoAnn Guest Jan 10, 2005 17:49 PST

http://www.herbsfirst.com/NewsLetters/0898calcium.html

There is no element that is less understood and more ignorantly applied

than calcium and its compounds. Calcium is the great builder of the

structural parts of the body, not only of the bones and ligaments, but

the walls of the arteries, the heart, the walls of the veins, the teeth,

the epithelial and connective tissues.

It is also an integral and necessary element in both blood and lymph.

We know that many malnutritional diseases, such as rickets, and

cretinism (though of course there are other causes) are usually the

results of calcium deficiency.

At the same time, we know that an " excess " of calcium is responsible for

arteriosclerosis, (or hardening of the arteries), also for 'scleroma'

(or sclerosis of tissue, liver, skin, eyes and so forth).

In fact, we know that old age itself is brought about by a gradual

hardening of the whole structural system through deposition of calcium

" compounds " that are insoluble and inorganic.

Calcium is little understood and often ignorantly administered.

While the young growing organism can use relatively large amounts of

calcium, a fully matured and solidified body requires less calcium.

For middle age, comparatively less than half the amount is necessary.

The older age requires a very small amount; above which calcium becomes

a very dangerous thing to use, often bringing about most disastrous

results, and yet never being thought of as the cause of the chronic

suffering, and sometimes death of the patient.

The calcium that does the trouble is the inorganic type.

Of course, inorganic calcium cannot be used in the life process of the

cell, but forms instead the greatest number of " obstructions " to the

normal life processes of the human organism.

Organic calcium, as found in some foods and herbs, is distinctly

" alkaline " in reaction such as lemons, limes, oranges, cabbage,

cauliflower, celery, lettuce, string beans and onions; while others have

an " acid " reaction upon certain fluids and tissues such as milk, cheese

meat and so forth.

Green and leafy vegetables contain calcium chloride, as do many berries

and herbs.

Organic calcium chloride is found in red clover, wheat bran, rhubarb,

yellow dock, watercress, blue vervain, motherwort, cactus, hawthorn

berries, comfrey root, marshmallow, and many others.

It is as though the good Lord knew that millions of us would suffer with

some heart trouble, and so made the remedy easily available.

Calcium chloride is a great heart tonic. In fact, it is so potent and

effective in its action upon a weak heart that the great English

scientist, Sir Lauder Brunton, said: " Heart failure, which so often

follows influenza and pneumonia, may be averted by the extended use of

calcium chloride. "

When we see how important calcium is in body action, we should never use

in our body something that will counteract calcium's power.

By the use of refined sugar, we are using a substance that is known as

a " calcium destroyer " .

As Dr. Bernard Jensen, D.C. - N.D., in his book You Can Master Diseases,

" White sugar has been called a leacher of calcium. "

As soon as sugar enters the body, it goes directly into the blood stream

and commences " removing " the calcium it comes into contact with and robs

the cells of the calcium,

from the arteries, veins, capillaries, tissue, muscles, bones, etc.

A prospective mother is carrying the fetus in her womb. If she does not

have enough calcium in her body to supply the baby, as well as herself,

she is in trouble. The baby, by nature, will get first choice and will

draw from the mother's body any calcium it can get for its' own

survival. The fetus draws from the veins, arteries, muscles, teeth and

bones of the mother. This is the reason for so much varicosity and loss

of teeth during pregnancy.

The more sugars and starches (which turn to sugar) the mother consumes,

the faster the " drainage " of calcium from her body, and trouble from

weakened areas.

FOREARM AND HIP FRACTURES MOST COMMON

" The principle clinical manifestation of osteoporosis is fracture. " Dr.

B. E. C. Nordin, professor of mineral metabolism at the University of

Luds, points out,

" and three osteoporotic fracture syndromes can be defined:

the lower forearm fracture, which predominantly affects women between

the ages of 50 and 65; the fracture of the proximal femur (the hip),

which affects both sexes over the age of seventy; and the relatively

rare vertebral crush fracture syndrome, which may be present at any age,

but is most common in elderly women " (British Medical Journal, March 13,

1971).

So you see that osteoporosis can not be taken lightly, and it most

certainly must be dealt with. Every one of us who approaches the

half-century mark in age is likely to encounter this unless we do

something about it preferably well in advance of that time.

Osteoporosis characteristically occurs in women after menopause and is

presumably related to low estrogen output--the female hormone that

dwindles when ovulation and the monthly periods cease.

In men, fragile porous bones typically develops considerably later in

life and disorder is less severe. But though the disease is associated

with late middle age and old age, the process probably begins many

decades earlier.

" I would advise women to start calcium and Vitamin D supplements at age

30, or perhaps 25, " says Dr. Jennifer Jowsey of the Mayo Clinic.

With the average American diet, there's apparently a long term gradual

loss of bone mineral exceeding the rate of mineral uptake and bone

formation.

In later years, when hormonal changes increase the susceptibility to

osteoporosis, the skeleton has already lost a good deal of its

substance. By then, because of previous loss, the rate of bone formation

must not only equal the rate of bone demineralization (the normal

condition) but must exceed it if bone strength is to be restored.

It is far more difficult, Dr. Jowsey warns, to induce new, compensatory

bone formation than it is simply to slow down bone demineralization.

Adequate calcium and Vitamin D in the diet will go far to accomplish the

latter.

But preliminary finds, the Mayo scientist says, indicate that " lost

bone " will not be automatically restored by such dietary correction.

OSTEOPOROSIS, PUFF BY PUFF

We can believe from what Dr. Jowsey says that long term marginal

deficiency in calcium and Vitamin D is the principle villain in the

tragedy of osteoporosis. However, other factors, too, influence bone

health. ''

We now know, for example, that cigarettes contribute to bone

demineralization and that we should swear off smoking, supposing we are

still hooked on this altogether harmful habit.

In a letter appearing in the Journal of American Medical Association,

(July 31, 1972), Dr. Harry W. Daniell reports his findings that heavy

cigarette smoking appears to be a prominent factor in inducing

osteoporosis. Dr. Daniell, who practices in Reddings, California, was

prompted to undertake his study when he realized that most of his under

65 patients suffering from osteoporosis were habitual heavy smokers.

(When it occurs before 65, osteoporosis is considered " premature " .)

The west coast physician and his associates then studied records from

the three small hospitals in the area, coming up with the cases of 17

women who have had at least one characteristic osteoporotic bone

fracture prior to age 65. Follow-up interviews with the patients of

surviving relatives revealed that of the 17, only one was a non-smoker;

one smoked less than 20 cigarettes a day; and 15 of the 17 had smoked 20

or more cigarettes daily for many years. An 88 percent correlation

between heavy smoking and early incidence of osteoporosis is

" statistically significant! "

As to how cigarette smoking could so affect the bones, Dr. Daniell

points out that bone minerals (mostly calcium and phosphorus,

responsible for the bone's hardness)

are " known to be strikingly more soluble in acid solutions, " and

cigarette smoking is known to increase the acidity of bone tissue.

Thus the bone minerals could be expected to dissolve and be absorbed

into the bloodstream at a much faster rate when smoking provides the

acid environment.

Studies, have shown, Dr. Daniell says, that three consecutive cigarettes

cause a prompt transient " hypercalcemia " --

or high content of calcium in the blood.

This finding, he explains, suggests that the act of smoking is

associated with rapid calcium loss from bone structures.

Still other factors can influence the onset of osteoporosis. Writing in

the British Medical Journal (June 2, 1973), Dr. P. E. Belchotz and

colleagues suggest that taking your calcium supplement just before going

to bed might make a difference in preventing excess mineral loss.

Here's the rationale: regular meals during the day constantly provide at

least some calcium to the bloodstream. But calcium absorption from the

gut continues only three to five hours after eating,

and therefore from about midnight on, the lack of incoming calcium from

the intestinal tract triggers the action of the parathyroid hormone

(parathormone), which stimulates bone " demineralization " or

" resportion. "

The female hormone, estrogen, the authors note, to some extent,

desensitizes bones to the action of parathormone. But in postmenopausal

women, this protection has been reduced.

Initial clinical studies by the investigators tend to confirm their

hypotheses. So take your bone meal or dolomite or glass of goat milk

just before retiring and you may counteract those bad night hours when

your bones are most likely to dribble away their substance.

Another factor that triggers the action of parathormone, according to

Dr. Jowsey and her associates at the Mayo Clinic, is a mineral

imbalance, with phosphorus intake grossly exceeding calcium intake

(Postgraduate Medicine, October, 1972).

Heavy meat-eaters are at risk of this condition because meat, while very

poor in calcium, has a high phosphorus content.

It's meateaters unbalanced high " phosphorus " intake, in Dr. Jowsey's

opinion, that accounts for the now established fact that longtime

vegetarians are less " susceptible " to osteoporosis than are omnivores.

Bones that are osteoporotic are like beams in a frame house that have

been eaten away for years by termites. But instead of termites, what's

eating away the calcium from the bones of an osteoporotic person is

their own blood.

That's because every nerve in the body--including those which cause the

heart to beat and the brain to function--needs a precise amount of

calcium to carry out its' job. Our bodies are strictly programmed to

keep this calcium at the required level.

And if there is not enough of this mineral coming in from dietary

sources, complex metabolic machinery immediately removes this required

amount from the legs, hips, spine, ribs and arms.

Ordinarily this is a slow but relentless undermining process. But with

cortisone administrations, it is swift and relentless. Just as bad, it

usually produces no symptoms--until the patient discovers that a minor

bump or fall has broken an arm, a leg or worse of all, a hip.

INCREASE RISK OF FRACTURES

An article on the subject was published in the newsletter (February,

1974) of the Jewish Hospital of St. Louis. It begins by pointing out

that 'cortisone' and its derivatives are being administered to several

million patients in the United States who suffer from a number of

chronic disorders, rheumatoid arthritis being just one of them.

But is warns that however useful these compounds may be in alleviating

these disorders, they result in a number of serious side effects,

including the production of often severe " bone loss " with an increasing

risk of bone fractures.

It is not unusual for patients to have a " loss " of 30-50 percent of

their bone mass after several years of high-dose cortisone treatment.

Dr. Theodore Hahn, a spokesman for a bone research team at the Jewish

Hospital, says it appears that cortisone directly " blocks " the activity

of the bone forming cells and at the same time decreases " intestinal

absorption " of calcium.

As is these two effects weren't bad enough, the calcium deficiency in

turn can produce " secondary hormonal changes " which increases bone

breakdown. "

But Dr. Hahn and his co-workers have some good news for people who have

been taking cortisone drugs; large, but carefully controlled doses of

Vitamin D, along with calcium supplements, can reverse this severe

degeneration of the skeleton.'

The article " Preliminary Results from a Group of 30 Patients Treated

with this Regimen " , states indirectly that bone mass can be increased by

as much as 25-30 percent of over six month period, thereby greatly

decreasing the risk of bone fracture in cortisone treated patients.

DOCTORS ARE WARNED - BUT ARE PATIENTS?

How many people who are taking cortisone--all those several million of

them--are aware that the drug can cause brittle bones?

And how many doctors are going to tell their patients that it is a good

idea to get substantially more calcium and Vitamin D into their diets

before they begin splintering their bones?

It does seem that many doctors pay scant attention to the possible side

effects of drug therapy, particularly when those side effects are

intimately linked to nutrition.

This attitude seems to be reflected even in the Merck Manual, a

standard reference book for physicians.

In the section on adrenocortical steroids, which includes cortisone and

its derivatives, the medical text says under the subheading " Management

during Long-Term Treatment " :

If back pain occurs, X-ray of the spine should be made for possible

osteopetrosis...If Pathologic fractures occur but the patient's

condition warrants continuation of hormonal therapy, additional calcium

and protein probably are more effective than the anabolic steroids. "

No advice about giving more calcium as a preventive measure is offered.

Presumably, the doctor is not expected to do anything until the patient

begins complaining of back pain or comes in with a fracture that results

from a slight bump.

It has been mentioned in this article the difference between organic and

inorganic calcium, and other minerals.

The 'inorganic' minerals are the ones that can be accepted into the

body, but not assimilated. The inorganic minerals are " accumulative " ,

lie in " deposits " in weakened or injured parts of the body, to later

give side effects or after effects.

Often times in purchasing calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, zinc,

etc., we buy minerals of the inorganic type that has not gone through

plant life and by osmosis made organic and given life so it can be

assimilated.

The type that can be assimilated is from herbs, fruits, vegetables,

grains, raw nuts and seeds.

These are non-toxic, non-poisonous and non-habit forming, if chosen by

one who knows assimilable herbs.

We have been using a calcium formula for years to aid our patients and

students in regaining a more perfect body structure.

The one way we can change the condition of the bowel structure is to

treat it like we would a sick plant, and we do not want to be guilty of

" casting seeds out on barren soil. "

The bone must be fed, must be given exercise, and must also be

accompanied by faith--in knowing it will improve.

One of the finest foods we have to furnish calcium is a calcium formula

we have used for many years. The combination of herbs used in this

herbal formula is:

Herbal Calcium Formula

Horsetail Grass: Contains manganese, zinc, silicon, iron, magnesium,

chlorine, sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus.

Nettle: Contains calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron and allantoin.

Oat Straw: Contains calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chlorine,

magnesium and iron.

Lobelia: Contains potassium, sodium, iron, phosphorus and calcium.

In these four herbs, which work together so well, you will notice they

are all high in calcium, high in potassium and have all the other

minerals needed in the construction of bone--all accentuated with

allantoin from the comfrey leaf for the speeding of cell proliferation.

Vitamin D is always needed in bone construction and this comes from the

powerful sun.

By following the routine of the three oil massage program, Vitamin D

can be obtained in adequate amounts, without burning.

This program consists of entire body massage with castor oil each day

for two days, the next two days with olive oil and the following two

days with wheat germ oil.

Rest one day and repeat this cycle week after week. Immediately after

the oil massage, lie in the sun--entire bare body exposed--two minutes

first day on front and two minutes on back.

Each additional day add two minutes front and back. With this procedure

there will be no burn. In fifteen days in the sun you are up to one hour

a day.

Also eat plenty of whole, presoaked (in pure water) and low- heated

grains and plenty of good fresh green vegetables such as watercress.

ACTIVITY FORTIFIES THE BONES

In 1970, at the annual meeting of the Swedish Medical Society held in

Stockholm, Drs. Nils Westlin and Bo Nilsson of Malmo, Sweden reported

that when they measured bone densities in young men they found that 64

athletes had significantly higher bone density that 39 non-athletes of

the same age. Density was found to rise with increases in physical

activity (Medical Tribune, February 6, 1970).

Dr. Carlton Fredericks has said that women with bones weakened by

osteoporosis should, if they are capable of doing it, skip rope as a

means of therapeutic exercise.

The impact on the spine, vertically exerted, generates the electrical

forces that drive calcium to the bone areas requiring reinforcement (The

Carlton Fredericks Newsletter of Nutrition, July 1, 1972).

Obviously, an elderly man or woman isn't suddenly going to take up

jumping rope after having not exercised for several years. But much the

same effect could be gained from walking.

A brisk walk at least, for those unable to perform more vigorous

exercise, is essential if bones are to stay healthy.

Over the years of practice I have had a number of patients who have had

broken bones from osteoporosis. One case was a woman in her middle

eighties with a fractured hip. After three months in a cast it showed no

sign of healing, any more than two pieces of stick growing together.

This woman was frightened because she was told that if the hip bones did

not knit after putting on another cast for three months, they would cut

her leg open and use stainless steel rods, bolts and nuts to make it

possible for her to at least get around on crutches.

This was in the early sixties and not much comfrey was available then.

The lady's daughter was in one of my classes, and we asked the students

to help out by donating as much comfrey as they could.

We had enough donated from the class members that the patient had from

a pint to a quart of comfrey green drink or comfrey tea each day, six

days a week, week after week.

At the end of this " three months, " the cast was removed and the doctors

were amazed, because during the first three months were was " no

knitting " of the bone even evident, but with the comfrey being taken

orally during the next three-month period the leg was healed.

The daughter told us her mother was out square dancing within a couple

of weeks after the cast was removed!

Testimonials

1. Tooth Grows Back: My oldest daughter age 13 now, had a dental cavity

at age 7 (the only dental cavity among our six children). We had the

cavity drilled out and a filling put in by our local dentist. Two years

later, the filling came out and a hole was left in her tooth. Nothing

more was done about it except the herbal calcium formula [Calc Tea] that

you recommend in your book, School of Natural Healing, made up of:

comfrey, horsetail, oatstraw, and lobelia.

This combination of herbs has been used very consistently by the entire

family over the last two years. We have recently discovered that the

hole where the filling was is now completely grown over and is

absolutely unnoticeable even under close inspection.

2. Insomnia Cured: I have found great relief by taking Dr. Christopher's

calcium formula and thyroid formula through the night which was

recommended in his " How Important is Calcium " newsletter. I have

recommended this treatment to others and to my mother and they all have

found it helps their insomnia also. -A.R., Williston, ND

Newletter Volume 1 Number 11, used by permission.

return to newsletters

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The information provided here is for educational purposes only, and

should not be used to diagnose and treat diseases. If you have a serious

health problem, we recommend that you consult a competent health

practitioner.

After each product is a list of what it has been used to aid. We are not

claiming that the product will cure any of these diseases or that we

created them to cure these disorders. We are merely reporting that

people have used the product to aid these conditions.

Finally, we wish to caution you that the information on this web site is

for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified health

practitioner before deciding on any course of treatment, especially for

serious or life-threatening illnesses.

_________________

JoAnn Guest

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DietaryTi-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Genes

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June 23, 2005

JoAnn

It appears that many of the calcium supplements use calcium " carbonate. " Do

you know if it's a good form, or if it's best to avoid this form of calcium?

The Herbfirst newsletter quoted below, which is very informative and

fascinating, states that as we get older, our need for calcium decreases,

but the article never touches on the issue of the best " kind " of calcium.

I'm taking about 700mg calcium (I'm 66) and the same amount of magnesium + a

moderate amount of potassium, but would like to know how much and what type

to recommend for my wife (in her mid 50s) and especially my sister (in her

late 70s).

thanks

JP