Calcium Hydroxyapatite -- The Only Form Of Calcium Proven To Reverse Bone Loss

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Calcium Hydroxyapatite -- The Only Form Of Calcium Proven To Reverse

Bone Loss

 

 

Calcium Hydroxyapatite: A Superior Bone Support Supplement

 

The importance of calcium on preventing osteoporosis is undeniable.

Yet, calcium does not work alone in creating strong, healthy bones.

Although calcium is a major constituent of bone, the whole bone matrix

is composed of a variety of other minerals including phosphorus and

magnesium, trace elements, proteins, collagen, and glycosaminoglycans.

Calcium and phosphorus occur in bone in a 2 to 1 ratio predominantly

as crystalline structures called hydroxyapatite.

 

A Better Form of Calcium.

 

The physiological balance and structure of the hydroxyapatite minerals

along with the presence of the organic constituents in bone caused

researchers to speculate that it might be appropriate to use an

extract of whole bone as a more beneficial form of supplemental

calcium. Subsequent research conducted in Britain over a ten-year

period showed that was indeed the case. Microcrystalline calcium

hydroxyapatite compound (MCHC), an extract of young bovine bone, was

found to be an extremely bioavailable form of calcium. The superiority

of MCHC compared to traditional forms of calcium was shown in a number

of controlled calcium balance and calcium absorption studies. The

whole bone extract was exceptionally well-absorbed, producing more

prolonged positive balance than soluble calcium salts such as calcium

gluconate. MCHC was uniquely found to not only prevent further loss of

bone, but to restore its mineral content. It was also surprisingly

well-tolerated. Unlike calcium carbonate, the bone extract did not

produce carbon dioxide to interfere with digestion.

 

Careful Processing Preserves Activity.

 

It is important not to confuse Microcrystalline Calcium Hydroxyapatite

Compound with bone meal. Although MCHC is derived from bone, MCHC is

specially processed to retain all bone minerals and organic residues

intact and in their natural physiological ratios. Unlike many bone

meal products, MCHC has not been heated or treated with chemical

solvents. Studies comparing MCHC whole bone extract with bone meal in

which the organic substances were destroyed demonstrated superior

calcium absorption and utilization of MCHC. The organic components of

the bone - collagen, mucopolysaccharides, amino acids, etc. - appear

to contribute to the enhanced absorption and bone uptake of calcium.

 

Regular bone meal is often obtained from the bones of older animals

which typically have unacceptable levels of lead and other toxic

contaminants. MCHC, however, utilizes young bovine bone which has been

carefully screened to ensure low levels of those undesirable substances.

 

MCHC should also not be confused with the hydroxyapatite derived

synthetically or from phosphate rock. Although the hydroxyapatite

(calcium phosphate hydroxide) compound that is present in bone also

occurs in phosphate rock, it does not have the microcrystalline

structure or necessary organic constituents that distinguish MCHC and

provide superior bioavailability. The microcrystalline structure of

MCHC contributes to improved calcium absorption as it provides a large

surface area from which the minerals in the organic matrix can be

released in the intestine.

 

A Wise Choice for Those at Risk of Osteoporosis.

 

Microcrystalline calcium hydroxyapatite compound has numerous

advantages over other forms of calcium making it a favorite of those

who wish to supplement calcium as part of an overall approach to the

prevention of osteoporosis. It is exceptionally well-absorbed and

tolerated, and unlike other calcium supplements, MCHC provides

physiological amounts of bone matrix components making it a

comprehensive bone support supplement.

 

Calcium Supplements: Which is Best?

 

The importance of adequate calcium for skeletal health throughout the

life cycle, not just after menopause has been affirmed by many

journals. But how much calcium do you need, and which calcium

supplement should you choose if one is necessary?

 

Ideally, the best way to get calcium is through your diet. But the

diets of most Americans supply only 450 to 550 mg of calcium daily -

well below the recommended daily allowance of 800 mg. And, to reach

the level of up to 1,500 mg daily recommended for most menopausal

women, calcium supplements are often necessary.

 

There are several factors to consider when choosing the calcium

supplement best for you: the amount of elemental calcium in a specific

supplement; how readily it will dissolve; its absorbability (how much

calcium will actually enter your bloodstream); possible side effects;

and of course, its cost.

 

How Much Calcium?

 

Calcium supplements come in a wide array of compounds: calcium

citrate, calcium carbonate, calcium gluconate, etc. Each compound

contains a different amount of pure calcium, called the elemental

calcium content. For example, calcium citrate contains 23% elemental

calcium. Labels should state how many milligrams of elemental calcium

are in each tablet, although many labels do not. Be sure you know how

much actual calcium your supplement provides. This way, you can avoid

taking too much calcium or not enough. All AMNI labels list elemental

amounts of calcium or other minerals.

 

The Bone Dense Calcium shows 1,000 mg of elemental calcium per 10

capsules -- and this 1,000 mg of elemental calcium is taken from a

larger quantity of the original material. The larger amount is not

shown on the label -- only the " elemental calcium. "

 

Does it Dissolve?

 

Recent research has shown that many brands of calcium supplements do

not dissolve adequately enough before they leave the stomach. Thus,

the calcium does not become available for the body to use. To test

calcium tablets, place one in a glass of white vinegar for half an

hour. Stir every three minutes or so. If the tablet dissolves or even

breaks up, it should be soluble in your stomach. Better yet, ask the

company for an actual Disintegration Report documenting the time it

takes for their tablets to disintegrate. Ideally, calcium tablets

should break apart or dissolve in about 30 minutes. Please note that

this simple home test is suitable only for calcium supplements - not

the Vibrant Life Bone Dense Calcium because our Calcium has many

other ingredients to make the calcium even more effective.

 

Absorbability is Key.

 

Although some sources of calcium are absorbed better than others,

inadequate information exists to compare them all and determine if one

is always best. Calcium carbonate is a good source of calcium as long

as adequate stomach acid or acid foods are present. Most people absorb

calcium better from calcium citrate than from carbonate because it is

soluble in water. The citrate form is also considered safer and better

tolerated. And, as an animal-free source, it is often preferred by

vegetarians. Hydroxyapatite, the form of calcium which occurs

naturally in bone, is also a readily available source of calcium and

is often the choice for those at risk of osteoporosis.

 

REFERENCES

 

Calcif Tissue Int 1990;46:300-304

 

Dent CE, Davies IJT: J Royal Society Medicine 1980;73:780-785.

 

Durance RA, Parsons V, et al: Clinical Trials Journal 1973;3:67-74.

 

J Am Coll Nutr 1990;9(6):583-587.

 

John Hopkins Med Ltr, Feb 1991.

 

Nilsen KH, Jayson, MI, Dixon AS: British Medical Journal 198;21:1124.

 

Pines A, Raafat H, Lynn AH, Whittington J: Curr Medical Research &

Opinion 1984;8(10):734-742.

 

Windsor ACM, Misra DP, Loudon JM, Staddon GE: Age and Aging

1973;2:230-234.

 

 

MCHC (Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite)

 

 

Nutritional support for maintaining and restoring bone-tissue health

requires more than calcium alone. Living bone is a complex tissue

composed of calcium and phosphorus, plus magnesium and over 20 trace

minerals. In addition, bone strength depends on collagen and

connective-tissue factors called " glycosaminoglycans. " All of these

elements are lost in osteoporosis, not just calcium.

 

The MCHC (microcrystalline hydroxyapatite concentrate) used in Vibrant

Life Bone Dense Calcium is a unique whole-bone extract derived from

free-range New Zealand calves. This pure MCHC is processed at

ultra-low temperatures, which is essential to preserve the nutritional

quality of the organic material in the product.

 

MCHC contains all of the minerals found in bone, in their exact

ratios, plus protein-based factors, including collagen and

glycosaminoglycans.

 

The collagen present in MCHC is primarily Type I collagen, with a

small amount of Type V collagen. These are the two types found in

bone. Assays show MCHC contains no Type II or Type III collagen, the

type found in articular cartilage and soft tissues. This confirms the

purity of MCHC.

 

MCHC thus provides precise nutritional support for the prevention and

treatment of osteoporosis. Clinical trials demonstrating its

effectiveness have been extant in the scientific literature for over

20 years.1,2

Concerns have been raised about the presence of lead in calcium

supplements. The lead content in MCHC is confirmed by careful lab

analysis to be less than one part per million. This is a very low

amount compared to other sources of calcium and many foods. Consumers

should be informed that so-called " hydroxyapatite " products may be

nothing more than ordinary bone meal, and may contain much higher lead

levels.

 

supplemental sources:

 

Of all the various forms of calcium available two stand out as perhaps

the most valuable. Calcium citramate (citrate/malate) is absorbed

better and tolerated more consistently than calcium carbonate.

Physicians and other healthcare professionals experienced in

nutritional therapy have increasingly turned to calcium citramate as

their preferred form of calcium. However, evidence has increasingly

pointed to the efficacy of microcrystalline hydroxyapatite (MCHC) in

cases where osteoporosis is the greatest concern. Apparently this form

of calcium has a special affinity for bone formation but some have

asserted that it may not be absorbed well.