Did you realize that much of the calcium you take every day never gets near the bones? It often backs up in the body's soft tissues where it can cause harm. In fact, excess calcium can be found in the arterial walls and in muscle cells where it contributes to arterial inflammation and high blood pressure. This is why physicians often prescribe calcium channel blockers for patients with this problem.


The human body can only assimilate a certain amount of calcium in a day. The average is about 220 to 375 milligrams daily. Many people who are taking calcium supplements and eating high-calcium foods end up ingesting over 1,200 milligrams a day, which can actually contribute to low bone mass, especially for menopausal females.


Here's what happens: A very specific process is carried out constantly by our bodies that involves removing old bone and replacing it with new bone matrix. The process is called bone remodeling.


Cells called osteoclasts roam throughout the bones looking for "old" bone. After they have removed this bone, cells called osteoblasts bring calcium and other minerals to "fill" in the holes to keep the bones strong and healthy. These cells also have to process and distribute all the calcium that is ingested and if they have to handle too much calcium, two problems begin to emerge. First, calcium availability is partially "lost" as osteoblasts cannot keep up to the processing procedures. Second, osteoblasts become exhausted and begin to slow down in the job they are meant to perform. They get tired and the aging process of bone begins. More and more "holes" do not get filled and bones become more porous in nature. Hence, the name osteoporosis, which means "porous bone." New research is in fact showing that the highest levels of osteoporosis is coming from countries with the highest consumption of dairy and calcium.


So, what are the solutions? Outlined below are the most current strategies for maintaining and building new bone matrix:

1) If it's high, lower your calcium intake from non-organic dairy and supplemental sources.


2) Get your calcium by eating mineral-rich, plant-based, organic sources such as spinach, kale, spirulina, nettles and sea vegetables.


3) Avoid abisphosponate drugs (e.g. Fosomax, Alendrate). They slow down and often kill osteoclasts and cause "old bone" to build up. This old bone initially looks good on a typical bone density scan, but after a few years, it begins to crumble and actually causes the bone to become weaker, especially in the back, hips and jaw. Just recently, dentists have become aware of this tragedy and have been told not to work on anyone who has taken these drugs for more than three years.


4) Have a DEXA bone density scan. This is recommended for all females every two years after age 45, males every three years after age 50.


5) Regular weight-bearing exercise and hormone balancing play a role in maintaining a strong bone matrix. Take care of your bones and they will always take care of you!


Allan Lawry, a fitness and health professional since 1976, is the owner of the Balanced Weight Company www.balancedweight.com, which specializes in helping clients to lose fat, gain muscle and build bone density using all natural strategies. 604-730-5550


References:

Kung AW. Age related osteoporosis in the Chinese: An evaluation of the response of intestinal calcium absorption. American Journal of Nutrition, 1999.

Swartz, et al. International variation in the incidence of hip fractures; cross national project on osteoporosis for the WHO program for the research of aging. Osteoporosis International, 1999.

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