Stoned To Death: Calcium Supplements Proven To Kill Again

Calcium Supplements Increase Heart Attack Risk by 86 Percent

Research published in the journal Heart has confirmed the findings of two controversial studies on calcium supplementation and heart attack risk published in the British Medical Journal last year, and which found a 24-27% increased risk of heart attack for those who took 500 mg of elemental calcium a day.[1] [2]

The results of this newest review, involving 24,000 people between the ages of 35 and 64, were even more alarming. Those participants who took a regular calcium supplement increased their risk of having a heart attack by 86% versus those who took no calcium supplements at all.

Why Do We Obsessively Consume Rock, Bone And Shell Calcium?

People really should not be so surprised at the idea that calcium supplementation may be toxic to cardiovascular health. After all, many subject themselves to coronary and cardiac calcium scans in order to ascertain their risk of cardiovascular events and/or cardiac mortality. This is because we know that calcium of the wrong kind in the wrong place can result in serious adverse health effects. There are, in fact, quite a few in the field of nutrition who have long warned against supplementation with elemental calcium; which is to say, calcium from limestone, oyster shell, egg shell and bone meal (hydroxylapatite). There are also those who have not needed to be “experts,” because they exercised common sense when it came to not eating rocks or shells.

The seemingly universal popularity of taking elemental calcium supplements results from the promotional efforts of conventional health “experts” and organizations like the National Osteoporosis Foundation (whose corporate sponsors include the calcium manufacturers Oscal and Citrical). Also, the World Health Organization created a radically new definition of “normal” bone density in 1994 when it took the 25-year old young adult standard (which is peak bone mass in a women’s life cycle), also known as the “T-score,” and applied it to all women, irrespective of their age.

This resulted in redefining the normal and gradual loss of bone mineral density that comes with aging as a disease, essentially medicalizing a non-condition. It also resulted in millions of women being coerced into taking unnecessary (and dangerous) “bone-building” drugs and inorganic calcium supplements to drive bone mineral density higher, by any means necessary. Suddenly, healthy women were being told they had a disease called “osteopenia” or “osteoporosis,” even while their bone mineral density was normal for their age, gender and ethnicity (which would have been clear as day, had the age-mediated “Z-score” been used). Moreover, the #1 and #2 cause of death in women are heart disease and cancer, respectively, with heart attack and breast cancer being the primary causes of morbidity and mortality.

When you consider that the risk of death as a side effect of fracture associated with low bone mineral density is infinitesimal relative to that of dying from calcium-induced heart attack, and/or high bone mineral density associated malignant breast cancer (300% higher risk for those in the top quarter percentile of BMD), the justification for promoting osteopenia/osteoporosis prevention and/or treatment in women’s health above far more serious and likely health threats completely falls apart. In fact, it appears that this myopic fixation may be significantly contributing to their premature death.

[Further reading on the topic: Osteoporosis Myth: The Dangers of High Bone Mineral Density]

Turned To Stone: When Calcium Goes To The Wrong Place

The reality is that the habit of consuming inorganic, elemental calcium simply does not make sense.  After all, have you ever experienced visceral disgust after accidentally consuming eggshell? If you have, you know your body is “hard-wired” to reject low-quality calcium sources (stones and bones as it were), in favor of getting calcium from food.

Inorganic or “elemental” calcium, when not bound to the natural co-factors, e.g. amino acids, lipids and glyconutrients, found in “food” (which is to say other living beings, e.g. plants and animals), no longer has the intelligent delivery system that enables your body to utilize it in a biologically appropriate manner. Lacking this “delivery system,” the calcium may end up going to places you do not want (ectopic calcification), or go to places you do want (e.g. the bones), but in excessive amounts, stimulating unnaturally accelerated cell-division (osteoblasts), resulting in higher bone turnover rates later in life (this is explained in the article below).

Or, the body attempts to disburden itself of this inappropriate calcium and dumps it into the bowel (constipation), or pushes it through the kidneys (stones). Worse, high levels of calcium can accumulate in the blood (hypercalcemia), which can contribute to destabilizing the atherosclerotic plaque through the formation of a brittle calcium cap on the atheroma, can contribute to thrombosis (clot) formation, hypertension (that’s why we use calcium channel blockers to lower blood pressure), and perhaps causing arrhythmias/fibrillation and or heart muscle cramping, or coronary artery spasm (a rather common, though rarely recognized trigger of ‘heart attack’).

The breasts too are uniquely susceptible to ectopic calcification, which is why we use the same x-rays to ascertain bone density that we do to discern pathological microcalcifications in the breast, i.e. x-ray mammography. Due to the fact that the hydroxylapatitate crystals found in malignant breast tissue may act as a cellular ‘signaling molecule’ or mitogen (inducing cell proliferation), it is possible that certain breast calcifications may be a cause, and not just an effect, of the tumorous lesions (“breast cancer”) found there. This may also help to explain why women with the highest bone density (often obtained through massive, lifelong calcium supplementation) have up to 300% higher incidence of malignant breast cancer.

“Brain gravel” is also an increasingly prevalent phenomenon, where autopsied patients have been found to have pebble-size calcium deposits distributed throughout their brains, including the pineal gland (‘the seat of the soul’). The wide range of existing calcium-associated pathologies, and their increasing prevalence in calcium-fixated cultures, demand further investigation and explanation.  One aspect of this, no doubt, is our obsessive cultural fixation on mega-dose calcium supplementation for non-existing “conditions” associated with bone mineral density that is normal-for-our-age, but not for our doctors and the “experts” who guide them with industry-friendly misinformation.

I believe this new research puts the nail in the coffin of any remaining doubt that we should stay as far away from inorganic calcium supplements as possible, as well as the empirically and intellectually bankrupt disease models being used to coerce women into taking them in the first place.

To learn more, read “How Too Much Calcium & Over-Medication Can Break Your Bones”

For a comprehensive list of Vegetables with high calcium levels, visit the NutritionData.com page on the topic.

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[1] BMJ 2010; 341 doi: 10.1136/bmj.c3691 (Published 29 July 2010)

[2] Calcium supplements with or without vitamin D and risk of cardiovascular events: reanalysis of the Women’s Health Initiative limited access dataset and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2011;342:d2040. Epub 2011 Apr 19. PMID: 21505219

© February 16, 2018 GreenMedInfo LLC. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo LLC. Want to learn more from GreenMedInfo? Sign up for the newsletter here http://www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/newsletter.

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What Is Calcium Toxicity and Hypercalcemia?

In some ways, a healthy human body can be likened to a fine tuned, quality engine. A solid engine is more than mechanically sound, it has also been given the proper fluids and fuels necessary to operate. It might have gas, but without oil, there will be problems. Conversely, adequate oil and inadequate gas is also a recipe for disaster. Your body is similar, it needs calories (fuel) for operating energy, but it also needs quality calories with certain vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in the proper proportions. Often times we hear about malnutrition and not getting enough vitamins and minerals, but what happens if you get too much? Can that be bad? Natural or not, many things do have an upper limit and calcium is no exception; too much can, in fact, be detrimental.

What is Hypercalcemia?

Hypercalcemia is a condition that is defined by having too high of calcium levels in the blood. Hypercalcemia can originate from several sources. It is certainly possible to experience hypercalcemia by consuming too many calcium supplements, and certain diseases can also lead to high calcium levels in the blood, but the vast majority of the time, hypercalcemia the result of thyroid dysfunction, a condition known as hyperparathyroidism. The parathyroid gland produces the hormones that regulate calcium in the body. If those hormone levels are out of whack, calcium can be released from the bones into the blood. This will weaken bone structure and can cause other problems too. Symptoms of hypercalcemia include lethargy, mental imbalance, weakness, dehydration, constipation, nausea, diarrhea, and even heart arrhythmia. ^[1] When chronic constipation is associated with thyroid disorders, it is often attributable to hypercalcemia. ^[2]

Calcium supplements that contain calcium citrate and calcium carbonate are not very efficient and, by some estimates, only 1-2% of the calcium in these forms will ever even reach your bones. Much of it is cast off into soft tissues throughout the body to form calcium deposits and even calcium phosphate shells around nanobacteria, which are then protected against the body’s immune response. This may lead to chronic irritation and plaque formation.

Calcium Incognito

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that can present non-specific symptoms and be hard to identify. Symptoms can appear intermittently and vary greatly; they might include nausea, vomiting, indeterminate abdominal pain, constipation, and kidney failure. Calcium intoxication symptoms are similar and sarcoidosis has often been confused with hypercalcemia. ^[3]

Hypercalcemia is a factor in 10% to 20% of cases of advanced cancer and considered, at that point, to be an emergency. Symptoms include intestinal problems symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and constipation. These indications can be tricky to identify, as they are also common side effects of chemotherapy. If left untreated, coma and death can result, according to the Department of Solid Tumor Oncology at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute. ^[4]

Research performed by the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City showed that hypercalcemic symptoms such as abdominal pain and constipation have been observed in persons who have Williams Syndrome. ^[5]

Supplementing with Calcium

When you’re experiencing calcium deficiency, be sure to supplement intelligently. Your first course of action should be to incorporate more calcium laden foods into your diet, like low-mercury fish, kale, collards, garlic, spinach, okra, and other vegetables. Dietary calcium really is the best source. If you’re unable to meet your calcium requirements through food sources, I advise supplementing with calcium orotate. Calcium orotate is better absorbed by the body than other types of calcium supplements and, when taken as directed, extremely unlikely to cause hypercalcemic complications.

References (5)

1. Bartels O. [Cardiovascular emergencies–endocrine and metabolic crises. Practical hints for the physician in emergency service]. Fortschr Med. 1982 Jul 22;100(27-28):1283-8. German.


2. Ragno A, Pepe J, Badiali D, Minisola S, Romagnoli E, Severi C, D’Erasmo E. Chronic constipation in hypercalcemic patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2012 Jul;16(7):884-9.


3. Kuhn M, Widder W, Gartmann J, Hartmann G. [Acute hypercalcemia syndrome in sarcoidosis]. Schweiz Med Wochenschr. 1985 Sep 28;115(39):1365-7. German.


4. Legrand SB. Modern management of malignant hypercalcemia. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2011 Nov;28(7):515-7. doi: 10.1177/1049909111414164. Epub 2011 Jul 1. Review.


5. Morris CA, Leonard CO, Dilts C, Demsey SA. Adults with Williams syndrome. Am J Med Genet Suppl. 1990;6:102-7.

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Two Types of Calcium Deficiency

When considering the crucial role that calcium plays within the body, it is no wonder that a deficiency of this mineral can lead to a whole series of problems – many of which can not only heavily impact your way of life but actually threaten your life under the most significant circumstances. As you may be aware, calcium is integral when it comes to building strong bones, teeth, a normal heart rhythm, powering muscle contractions, enabling the relaxation of your muscles, hormone function, and even blood pressure regulation. In other words, it affects your whole body and keeps you functioning optimally each day.

In the case of a calcium deficiency, however, you may find that your body to be functioning not so optimally. In the event of a potential deficiency, it’s mandatory to look at the warning signs. First, it’s important to understand there are two types of calcium deficiency. While calcium deficiency at large has been linked to diseases like osteoporosis and renal failure, there exists two different types of such a deficiency.

There are Two Types of Calcium Deficiency

Dietary calcium deficiency exists in individuals who are not getting enough calcium intake through their daily nutrition or supplement intake. What happens here is that the natural calcium storage within the bones becomes depleted. As a result, the bones begin to weaken and thin at an alarming rate. This deficiency can also lead to osteoporosis, a disease of the bones that triggers bone degeneration, a ‘humped’ back, a major increased risk of fractures, and other serious concerns.

Symptoms of Dietary Calcium Deficiency

• Back or neck pain


• Bone pain or tenderness


• Bone fractures as a result of minor or no trauma


• Loss of height


• Stooped or humped posture

Unlike dietary calcium deficiency, the second type of calcium deficiency, hypocalcemia has to do with low levels of calcium within the blood. Whereas dietary calcium deficiency is a result of inadequate nutritional intake, hypocalcemia is usually caused by certain medications or even medical conditions like hypoparathyroidism. Hypocalcemia is particularly concerning as the body will readily pull calcium from the bones in the event of a blood calcium deficiency in orders to support the proper function of the brain, heart, nerves, and muscles.

Symptoms of Hypocalcemia

• Muscle cramps


• Numbness


• Poor appetite


• Large bruised areas


• Bleeding under the skin that looks like tiny red dots

Calcium Deficiency Diseases from Both Types

While very different, both types of calcium deficiencies can trigger life-threatening diseases. Indications of calcium deficiency can include:

• Hypertension – also known as high blood pressure of arterial hypertension


• Abnormal heartbeat


• Chest pain


• Seizures


• Difficulty breathing


• Unusual changes in alertness of consciousness

Overall, the best thing to do is to ensure that you are getting enough calcium each day from a high quality source such as calcium orotate. In addition, a combination of calcium orotate along with the essential mineral magnesium orotate is also highly preferable.

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10 Facts about Calcium

Did you know that calcium accounts for around 1.5 to 2 percent of your body weight? This vital mineral is perhaps best known to strengthen bones, teeth, the heart, and slash your risk of developing a number of diseases. On the contrary, a calcium deficiency can lead to common conditions like hypertension, seizures, and much more.

Perhaps one of the most fascinating realizations is that the history and science behind calcium is often little discussed despite the highly interesting and useful nature of the information. From the many uses of calcium for enhancing your total body health to the scientific characteristics of the mineral that pave the way for its benefits, here are 10 facts about calcium you may have never heard:

1. Adequate Calcium Actually Fights, Not Promotes, Kidney Stones

You are probably thinking that this simply cannot be true, but even the mainstream medial establishment now admits that new science has shed light on the entire relationship between kidney stones and calcium intake. Previously thought to be the villain behind the extremely painful stones that can permanently damage the lining of the body, it turns out that the latest studies on the subject support a high calcium intake for protection against kidney stones.

2. Calcium Can Balance Your pH Level Towards Alkaline

Those suffering from debilitating diseases are often in shock when they discover that they have a highly acidic body, which can be a serious breeding ground for disease. Through the consumption of processed sugars, sodas, and other junk foods, the body can become very acidic on the pH scale.

It should come as no surprise that such an acid environment is actually linked to the development of hypertension and kidney stones. Calcium can help to balance out this problem, returning the body to a less acidic, alkaline-based environment.

3. Calcium and Vitamin D

Calcium and vitamin D are highly important in their own respective ways as the intake of one should be gauged towards the intake of the other. Vitamin D is absolutely essential for the proper absorption of calcium by the human body, as vitamin D is converted to a hormone that causes the very intestinal proteins that are needed for the proper absorption of calcium. Vitamin D, like calcium, affects numerous vital processes within the human body that are absolutely necessary for life.

4. Healthy Smile

The foundation of a healthy smile is rooted in the health of the teeth and the jaw bone. Calcium can help you maintain a healthy jaw bone throughout life, protecting against the breakdown of the bone through bone degeneration disease. When your teeth are healthy, bacteria and tartar will not as easily be able to thrive and become more prevalent.

5. Our Bodies Contain More Calcium than Any Other Mineral

Calcium is so fundamental to the processes of life that the human body contains more calcium than any other mineral. According to Everyday Health, 99% of the calcium in our bodies is also stored in the teeth and bones. The rest of the integral mineral is stored in other areas where it is needed such as in the fluid between body cells, blood, and muscle.

6. Abundance in Nature

In addition to being abundant within the body, calcium is also the 5th most abundant mineral in the Earth’s crust. Present at a level of around 3% in the oceans and soil, calcium is a major part of the life cycle of plants as well as humans.

7. Calcium May Slash Chronic Disease Risk

Research from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston has found that, based on a review of 17 peer reviewed studies, calcium can play a very serious role in the fight against chronic disease. This information was backed up by a Swedish study that also examined the information with similar conclusions.

With Swedish researchers examining more than 23,000 men over a nine-year period who were taking extra calcium, the scientists concluded that the increased calcium intake led to a lower risk of certain chronic disease.

8. Calcium Helps Transport Other Nutrients

While also important itself, calcium also helps to maximize your health through the transportation of nutrients through cell membranes and where your body needs it most. This gives calcium an entirely new and powerful function as an assistant to the body in ensuring that you are meeting your daily nutrient needs across the board.

9. Calcium Throughout History

Calcium has been known as far back as the 1st century, when the ancient Romans actually used calcium oxide to make lime. It should come as no surprise, then, to learn that the name ‘calcium’ comes from the Latin word that literally means ‘lime’.

10. Calcium Intake Can Be Simple, But Quality Matters

As always, I recommend only the highest quality form of calcium when it comes to increasing your intake through supplementation. Specifically, calcium orotate is the highest quality and natural form you can find when it comes to calcium supplementation. I also recommend looking for a product that adds magensium orotate as well in order to reap the benefits of this healthful combination. Calcium is absolutely crucial to your health so make sure you are getting enough each day.

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What’s the Best Calcium Supplement?

Calcium deficiency and imbalance is a growing problem and a concern to many; and those who aren’t concerned probably should be. Calcium deficiency is contributes to the prevalence of many horrible health problems that affect more than the bones and teeth. Calcium deficiencies can even be a factor in some gastrointestinal disorders, some studies have even included it as a characteristic of celiac disease. ^[1] It’s no surprise that many people have low levels of this crucial nutrient. Industrial farming and all its glory have rightfully caused many people to question whether or not their food contains less than sufficient amounts of nutrients, including calcium. On that front, all we can do is have a diet high in locally grown, organic produce and other food. There are many fruits and vegan-friendly foods that are good sources of calcium. However, despite best efforts to get enough calcium through dietary sources, many folks still don’t meet the daily requirements for many nutrients, not just calcium. ^[2] For those people, I recommend they consider supplementation with an effective and natural calcium product, only by making it a point to supplement with the most worthwhile supplement can they hope to give provide their body with the nutrition it needs.

Dietary Calcium is Best

Calcium is a must for maintaining a healthy body and benefits more than just your teeth and bones; some associations have even been made between depression and low levels of calcium and magnesium. ^[3] [4] Although, thanks in part to pervasive advertisements, many people believe getting enough calcium means consuming more dairy, that’s not true and many fruits and vegetables such as kale, spinach, and apples are a great source of dietary calcium. Being aware of the various foods that contain calcium and how to best intertwine them into delicious recipes is a fantastic way to increase both the diversity of the food you eat, and the nutrient density in your diet. If you’re only relying on milk for calcium, you’re really short changing your palate and your health.

Calcium Supplement Contamination Concerns

Food, supplements, and anything you ingest should always be a decision you make on purpose. What’s really in the $2.99 bottle of “calcium pills” at the supermarket? Where was it made? Who made it? What type of calcium do they contain? How bioavailable is it? Is it a product that will benefit your body or simply satisfy a mental “vitamin checklist”? We have to be careful to only consume forms of calcium that are beneficial to our bones and tissues and, unfortunately, you also have to make sure your supplements are not contaminated.

A few years ago the University of Florida performed lead analysis on a number of different calcium carbonate formulations and found that over two-thirds of the calcium supplements contained lead and were a potential health concern. ^[5] The University of Florida isn’t alone in this analysis, Canada’s University of Saskatchewan also warns of lead AND aluminum contamination in many calcium carbonate supplements, including ones that are listed as “natural source”! ^[6] Just because it’s in the “health products” section doesn’t mean it is one! A 2011 examination of calcium supplements as a source of lead poisoning noted that some supplements contained lead levels that are beyond regulatory limits in the United States. Furthermore, only 10% of evaluated calcium supplements met acceptable levels! That means out 9 out of 10 calcium supplements are potentially more damaging than beneficial. ^[7] Perhaps the most scary revelations about some sub-par calcium supplements came out of Thailand just last year. Researchers at Mahidol University in Bangkok warn that many evaluated sources of calcium carbonate tested positive for not just lead and aluminum, but also mercury and cadmium. ^[8]

Choose the Best, Non-Toxic Calcium

Satisfying your nutritional requirements is something you should simply be mindful and proactive with. First, start by consuming all organic foods grown in non-depleted soil (if possible). As said before, the best source of calcium, and all nutrients, is from organic foods. Second, when you need additional nutritional supplementation to meet your daily requirements, only choose the most effective supplements of the highest quality. The research of Dr. Hans Nieper verifies that calcium orotate is the most absorbable form of calcium. For this type of calcium, I only recommend IntraCal™, an ultra-high quality calcium orotate supplement that is bioavailable to your body and COMPLETELY lead and toxin free.

References (8)

1. Babar MI, Ahmad I, Rao MS, Iqbal R, Asghar S, Saleem M. Celiac disease and celiac crisis in children. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2011 Aug;21(8):487-90. doi: 08.2011/JCPSP.487490.


2. Straub DA. Calcium supplementation in clinical practice: a review of forms, doses, and indications. Nutr Clin Pract. 2007 Jun;22(3):286-96. Review.


3. Buzinaro EF, Almeida RN, Mazeto GM. [Bioavailability of dietary calcium]. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metabol. 2006 Oct;50(5):852-61. Portuguese.


4. Bae YJ, Kim SK. Low dietary calcium is associated with self-rated depression in middle-aged Korean women. Nutr Res Pract. 2012 Dec;6(6):527-33. doi: 10.4162/nrp.2012.6.6.527. Epub 2012 Dec 31.


5. Ross EA, Szabo NJ, Tebbett IR. Lead content of calcium supplements. JAMA. 2000 Sep 20;284(11):1425-9.


6. Whiting SJ. Safety of some calcium supplements questioned. Nutr Rev. 1994 Mar;52(3):95-7. Review.


7. Rehman S, Adnan M, Khalid N, Shaheen L. Calcium supplements: an additional source of lead contamination. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2011 Oct;143(1):178-87. doi: 10.1007/s12011-010-8870-3. Epub 2010 Oct 15.


8. Bunyaratavej N, Buranasinsup S. Calcium supplement: humanity’s double-edged sword. J Med Assoc Thai. 2011 Oct;94 Suppl 5:S56-8.

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5 Vegan Calcium Sources

People who are beginning to implement more vegan foods into their diet are usually concerned with the nutritional give-and-take that happens when you exclude certain types of food. Specifically, when it comes to cutting out dairy, most people are concerned with how that will affect their calcium intake. The good news is that vegan calcium sources certainly do exist and, whereas dairy products may offer calcium in spite of other health concerns (fat content, hormones, production methods), most vegan sources of calcium have few, if any downsides and contain a large volume of other essential vitamins and nutrients that makes your body happy.

As a side thought, it needs to be said that this information isn’t just for vegans. It’s been reported that over 75 percent of Americans are actually deficient in calcium. This is a problem that has serious consequences and will continue to have serious consequences. Did you know that within the next decade the surgeon general has projected that half the population over age 50 is going to be at risk for osteoporotic fractures?. Hello! America has a nutrition problem and that includes calcium, don’t be one of the statistics!

Here are five sources of calcium that are friendly to all, including vegans. Even if you’re not vegan, making a conscious effort to include these foods on your plate can make a serious difference in your calcium intake and probably even get you higher than persons who consume dairy (with an added bonus of vitamins C, K, and a truckload of minerals):

1. Kale

In addition to being a great food-based protector against radiation, kale also happens to offer up 180 mg of calcium per cup. Creighton University in Omaha Nebraska analyzed the calcium absorption in women who drank milk and compared it to women who consumed kale. The women who consumed kale had higher calcium levels than the milk drinking group and researchers advised of the excellent absorbability of calcium from kale. ^[1]

2. Collard Greens

Collard greens pack a very strong calcium punch, with 1 cup alone containing 350 mg. With the established recommended intake between 1,000 and 2,000 mg daily for an average person, it only takes a relatively small serving of collard greens and other vegan alternatives to meet this criteria. Research has suggested that the bitter taste of some vegetables, like collard greens, is an indication of high calcium content and some animals can pick up on this. In fact, when given the choice between a low calcium vegetable like broccoli, and a high calcium vegetable like collard greens, calcium deprived mice and rats will choose the collard greens. ^[2]

3. Almond Butter

If the bitter taste of collard greens leaves you unfulfilled, perhaps almond butter will be your answer. In addition to its great taste and raw quality (when purchased in its raw form) just 2 small tablespoons of almond button contains 86 mg of calcium. Almond butter also provides an alternative, not just for vegans, but persons with food allergies to tree nuts, including peanuts. And actually, it’s a better option. When compared to peanut or sunflower seed butter, almond butter has significantly more fiber, calcium, and potassium. ^[3]

4. Figs

Considered to be a treat by many and actually used historically in dessert-styled candy and pastry dishes, figs contain 120 mg of calcium within only ½ cup. If you have not yet tried figs, you are missing out on a nutrient-loaded and energy dense powerhouse of a food!

5. Blackstrap Molasses

Blackstrap molasses can be really handy as a calcium rich ingredient for a number of savory recipes, including baked beans. Two tablespoons of this black gold hold 400mg of calcium!

Adequate levels of calcium help your body properly develop your teeth and bones… everyone knows this. But, calcium is also involved with brain and cardiovascular health. It’s relatively simple to enhance your diet with all-natural, vegan-friendly sources of calcium as long as you make a concerted effort to do so. Conscious eating is always important; getting each and every one of the nutrients your body needs to operate at peak performance is a daily habit and it won’t happen by accident.

Calcium Supplements

There are many types of calcium supplements available and some are worthless, literally nothing more than ground-up, encapsulated sea shells- beware of their presence. If you need to fill the nutritional gaps in your diet with a calcium supplement, I recommend IntraCal™, my calcium orotate supplement. Calcium orotate is the most absorbable form of calcium and is the only one I recommend if you’re truly trying to achieve the benefits of proper calcium levels.

References (3)

1. Heaney RP, Weaver CM. Calcium absorption from kale. Am J Clin Nutr. 1990 Apr;51(4):656-7.


2. Tordoff MG, Sandell MA. Vegetable bitterness is related to calcium content. Appetite. 2009 Apr;52(2):498-504.


3. R. Thomas, S. Gebhardt. Sunflower seed butter and almond butter as nutrient-rich alternatives to peanut butter (PDF). Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center.

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What Is Calcium?

Calcium is, quite simply, an essential element that is highly important for living organisms to survive. This includes humans and 1.5 to 2% of a human’s overall body weight consists of the element calcium. Represented by the elemental symbol of ‘Ca’, a certain amount of calcium is required each day in order to avoid a deficiency and subsequent disease.

Calcium is most well known for its ability to optimize and boost the health levels of bones and teeth, but it is also responsible for certain communications between the brain and other parts of the body. It is also particularly important when it comes to protecting against bone degenerating diseases like osteoporosis, which leads to the breakdown of bones and subsequent fractures.

Calcium in the Body

Up until the age of 20-25, calcium even builds upon the strength of the bones within the human body. After this age, when the bones reach what’s known as their ‘peak mass’, the element then goes further and assists in the maintenance and upkeep of the bones as well as helping to slow down bone density loss. While bone density loss is considered a ‘natural’ part of the aging process, an adequate and high quality form of calcium intake can help to defeat this issue through the adequate supply of calcium infusing the body with bone-enhancing properties.

Upwards of 99 percent of the calcium within our bodies is stored within the bones and teeth, however other areas that utilize calcium also store at least small portions of the element. This includes the muscles and the blood in order to regulate muscle contraction, normal heartbeat, and proper blood coagulation.

Hormone and enzyme release is another key characteristic of calcium, and is perhaps one of the most notable. Calcium directly helps blood vessels travel around the body as they should while being responsible for the release of many important hormones and enzymes. These hormones and enzymes help to regulate bodily functions, aid in proper assimilation of nutrients, and much more.

Calcium Protects Against Obesity, Disease

Calcium has even been found to be a major ally in the fight against unwanted fat. It was found in a 2010 study performed by North Carolina State University, in fact, that adequate calcium early in life can protect against obesity. The information brought awareness to the many functions of calcium outside of simple bone and teeth maintenance.

According to one of the scientific researchers from the study:

“While the importance of calcium nutrition throughout childhood and adolescence is well-recognized, our work suggests that calcium nutrition of the neonate may be of greater importance to lifelong bone health, due to its programming effects on mesenchymal stem cells.”

Calcium Deficiencies

A calcium deficiency can trigger life-threatening diseases over time, or generate symptoms such as as seizures and neck pain. Most popularly, osteoporosis has been linked time and time again to an inadequate calcium supply within the body. In the event of a serious shortage, the body will even begin to leech calcium from the bones in order to supply the much-needed calcium into other areas of the body.

What may happen to you if you’re calcium deficient? Things you don’t want, such as:

• Hypertension – also known as high blood pressure of arterial hypertension


• Abnormal heartbeat


• Chest pain


• Seizures


• Difficulty breathing


• Unusual changes in alertness of consciousness

Proper Calcium Intake

As with all nutritional supplements, not all forms are made the same. For example, vitamin D3 can be very enhancing to your overall health while vitamin D2 can be very damaging. The same is true with calcium. It is absolutely vital that you make sure you are consuming a super high-quality form of calcium such as calcium orotate. I would also recommend finding a supplement that, in addition to containing zero fillers or contaminants of any kind, offers a magnesium orotate combination in order to experience the full benefits of these dual minerals.

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6 Vegetables High in Calcium

Calcium is an essential mineral for maintaining healthy bones – a factor in the development in numerous diseases such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and others. And while you may think that you take in enough calcium throughout the day, or that you need to consume meat or dairy to take in enough calcium, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Like vitamin B12, which is found in meat, calcium is another substance that is thought to be very difficult to find when only focusing on vegan food sources. But the good news for everyone – vegans, vegetarians, and meat eaters alike – is that there are numerous vegetables out there that contain notable amounts of calcium. What’s more, these vegetables provide a wealth of other health benefits while providing this essential mineral.

1. Kale

An excellent source of calcium, kale offers a whopping 139mg per 100g serving of the vegetable and offers very absorbable calcium. Kale also contains over 45 different flavonoids, offering ultra potent antioxidant benefits. ^[1]

2. Collard Greens

Collard greens are a great choice and very high in calcium. A 1 cup serving offer 357mg (35% DV). ^[2]

3. Broccoli

Along with vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, folate, and dietary fiber, broccoli has about 74mg of calcium per cup. ^[3]

4. Kelp

Also rich in potassium and iodine, kelp contains about 136mg of calcium in a one cup serving. ^[4]

5. Spinach

This incredibly healthful green veggie contains about 56mg/cup. A 100g serving would equate to about 145mg of calcium. In addition, spinach also contains immune-boosting vitamin C, vitamin A, manganese, and a mega-serving of vitamin K. Populations all over the world rely on spinach for nutrition. ^[5]

6. Soybeans

You can expect to find about 175mg of calcium within a cup of soybeans. Note: While soybeans can provide you with the calcium you’re looking for, this food is almost always genetically modified, presenting a danger to your health. If you are eating soybeans, make sure that this food especially is 100% organic. ^[6]

While the above foods may be enough for any vegan, vegetarian, or even meat eater to take in enough daily calcium, this is hardly an exhaustive list. There are many other vegetables and even fruits that are a great source of calcium.

Do Calcium Supplements Work?

Supplementation is also a viable option, at least if you use the right type of supplement. Don’t bother with those chalky calcium supplements you can find at the gas station checkout. Because magnesium is essential for calcium absorption,^[7] always look for a calcium supplement with magnesium. I recommend IntraCal™. IntraCal puts calcium orotate and magnesium orotate together in an easily swallowed Kosher certified vegetarian capsule to make the most bioavailable calcium supplement on the market.

Do you have a favorite way to prepare one of these entries… or have a suggestion that’s not on the list? Leave a comment and let us know!

References (7)

1. Heaney RP, Weaver CM. Calcium absorption from kale. Am J Clin Nutr. 1990 Apr;51(4):656-7.


2. Tordoff MG, Sandell MA. Vegetable bitterness is related to calcium content. Appetite. 2009 Apr;52(2):498-504.


3. Michaelsen KF, Astrup AV, Mosekilde L, Richelsen B, Schroll M, Sørensen OH. [The importance of nutrition for the prevention of osteoporosis]. Ugeskr Laeger. 1994 Feb 14;156(7):958-60, 963-5. Review. Danish.


4. Kim SK, Bhatnagar I. Physical, chemical, and biological properties of wonder kelp–Laminaria. Adv Food Nutr Res. 2011;64:85-96. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-387669-0.00007-7. Review.


5. Ogawa K, Tsubono Y, Nishino Y, Watanabe Y, Ohkubo T, Watanabe T, Nakatsuka H, Takahashi N, Kawamura M, Tsuji I, Hisamichi S. Dietary sources of nutrient consumption in a rural Japanese population. J Epidemiol. 2002 Jan;12(1):1-8.


6. Hirota T, Hirota K. [Nutrition in bone growth and development]. Clin Calcium. 2011 Sep;21(9):1329-33. doi: CliCa110913291333. Review. Japanese.


7. Paunier, L. “Effect of magnesium on phosphorus and calcium metabolism.” Monatsschr Kinderheilkd, vol. 140, Sept. 1992, pp. 17-20.

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10 Fruits Rich in Calcium

As you’re likely aware, calcium is an absolutely essential mineral that helps support development of healthy teeth, bones, muscles, and much more. Calcium plays an integral role in the secretion of a number of hormones and enzymes that are vital for your body function efficiently. As such, it’s important to get adequate calcium; dietary is best but supplementation may also be necessary for many people. Research has repeatedly discovered relationships between calcium deficiency and serious illness such as osteoporosis. Getting enough calcium is a goal everyone needs to be consciously working to achieve.

If you’re trying to adopt (or already have adopted) vegan or vegetarian dietary habits then you may be looking for alternatives to the dairy and meat products that are often mistakenly considered to be the only food sources of calcium available. We’re all aware that fresh organic fruits provide many beneficial nutrients but you may be surprised to learn that, for a number of fruits, calcium is one of those nutrients.

Why Do We Need Calcium?

Calcium is frequently associated with healthy skeletal health and that association is accurate. However, calcium is needed by the body for much more and calcium deficiency can cause more problems than weak bones and teeth.

Research has established that a low dietary intake of calcium is a risk factor for developing high blood pressure. Conversely, increased dietary calcium intake has been shown to help lower blood pressure in persons with hypertension. ^[1]

Oddly enough, the Department of Chemical Pathology at Dumfries and Galloway District Hospital in the United Kingdom has published information that shows calcium deficiency to be a cause of rickets. ^[2]

10 Fruits High in Calcium

Making conscious eating decisions is important if you’re going to meet your daily nutritional requirements, it won’t happen by accident. With this comes a thin line between routinely getting the nutrients you need, without it being too routine. If you’re eating the same thing every single day, you’re going to get bored. Here are ten delicious fruits you can alternate between are great sources of calcium, not to mention other nutrients!

1. Oranges and Tangerines

Loaded with 43 mg of the recommended 1,000 to 2,000 mg daily intake for the average person, oranges and tangerines also contain a powerful amount of vitamin C and that makes them an excellent choice.

2. Dried Apricots

As if their delicious taste wasn’t enough, dried apricots contain 5mg of calcium in a 100g serving. A perfect choice for everyone, but especially hikers, bikers, and campers.

3. Kiwi

This tropical fruit looks rejuvenating because it is. Kiwi provides 34 mg of calcium per 100g serving. To put that into perspective, a single cup contains 60 mg.

4. Dates

Dates are a tasty treat and each date contains around 15 mg of calcium.

5. Dried Figs

Dried figs may be the best fruit source of calcium there is? At 241 mg of calcium per cup and 13 mg per each individual fig, on average, a small serving of dried figs can go a long way in achieving the goal of adequate calcium intake.

6. Rhubarb

A New York court decided in 1947 that rhubarb, then labeled a vegetable, could be considered a fruit. Despite the identity crisis, what’s solid is rhubarb as a calcium source, containing 348 mg of calcium in a single cup.

7. Prickly Pears

An exotic treat, prickly pears, also known as red tunas, contain 58 mg of calcium per each pear.

8. Prunes

In addition to aiding the colon, prunes (specifically dried prunes) can offer up 75 mg of calcium in a single cup.

9. Mulberries

Mulberries are not sold in many grocery stores and can be hard to find. It’s a shame too, they contain up to 55 mg calcium in 1 cup. If you can find them, try them, they’re great!

10. Kumquats

Kumquats have a rich flavor, are high in vitamins A and C, and contain up to 12 mg of calcium. These little power pellets can be a great boost.

Getting Enough Calcium is Essential

Increasing your fruit and vegetable intake positively impacts your bone health by providing the essential micronutrients and antioxidants that promote healthy bone formation and good health. Develop a habit of enjoying the fruits on this list, organic when possible. Not only will you experience not only the benefits of calcium, but the other health perks that accompany a diet rich in fresh fruits as well.

If you find your diet lacking in calcium, you can also try calcium supplements. I recommend Global Healing Center’s IntraCal™. While most calcium supplements are chalky and dusty, IntraCal is encapsulated in Kosher-certified vegetarian capsules to make swallowing easy. IntraCal contains a blend of calcium orotate and magnesium orotate. In IntraCal, the magnesium aids in the absorption of calcium to give you the most efficient calcium supplement available.

References (2)

1. 
   
   1. Pörsti I, Mäkynen H. Dietary calcium intake: effects on central blood pressure control. Semin Nephrol. 1995 Nov;15(6):550-63. Review.
   
   
   2. Ramasamy I. Inherited disorders of calcium homeostasis. Clin Chim Acta. 2008 Aug;394(1-2):22-41. doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2008.04.011. Epub 2008 Apr 22. Review.
   
   

Toddlers who Drink Non-Cow’s Milk may be Shorter than Their Peers

Parents who dream of their young child growing up to become an NBA player should maybe avoid substituting plant-based milks for cow’s milk, a study finds. Toddlers who drink soy, almond, or other milk “alternatives” may be shorter than youngsters who drink plain old cow’s milk. A strange correlation indeed.

Researchers wrote in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that each daily cup of non-cow’s milk consumed was associated with 0.4 centimeters (0.15 inches) lower height than average for a child’s age. [1]

Dr. Jonathon Maguire, the study’s lead author and a pediatrician and researchers at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, said:

“We found that children who are consuming non-cow’s milk like rice, almond and soy milk tended to be a little bit shorter than children who consumed cow’s milk. For example, a 3-year-old child consuming three cups of non-cow’s milk relative to cow’s milk was on average 1.5 centimeters shorter.” [2]

That half-an-inch difference “is not a tiny difference” when you’re 3 years old, Maguire noted.

Researchers looked at a cross-section of more than 5,000 healthy Canadian children ages 2 to 6 years old, 51% of whom were male, and were recruited from 9 family and pediatric healthcare practices from December 2008 to September 2015.

• About 5% of participants drank exclusively non-cow’s milk


• About 84% drank only cow’s milk


• About 8% drank both


• About 3% drank neither

The researchers were most stunned to discover “that the amount children were shorter depended on how much they were consuming,” according to Maguire.

He said:

“It’s not like if you’re not consuming cow’s milk, you’re a little shorter. It’s more like if you are consuming non-cow’s milk, with each cup that a child consumes, that child on average appears to be a little bit smaller, a little bit shorter. That’s a bit surprising.”

Does that mean children who drink non-cow’s milk will grow up to be shorter than their peers? Maybe, maybe not.

Maguire said:

“That’s one remaining question. We don’t know if the kids consuming non-cow’s milk, maybe they catch up over time, or maybe they don’t. Time’s going to have to tell.

We do know in general as pediatricians that children who are on a certain percentile line in terms of height tend to stay on that line for the rest of their childhood and into adulthood.”

A Weak Correlation

But according to Amy Joy Lanou, a professor of health and wellness at the University of North Carolina-Asheville who was not involved in the research, the researchers didn’t include enough variables for the findings to be accurate. Most notably, only milk consumption was considered.

She said:

“It’s just odd to me why we wouldn’t be looking at the overall diets of the children. If they’re making the claim that it’s because it’s the difference in the types of milk the kids are drinking, well, what else are they eating?”

Lanou’s own research has led to her to believe that cow’s milk is “not a necessary food,” and she believes the study wrongly assumes that taller equals healthier.

“Taller children and heavier children are not necessarily healthier adults, or even healthier children. I think they’re using height as a marker for health, and I’m not sure that’s appropriate.”

Maguire acknowledged there could have been differences in the children’s overall diets, but he said the nutritional content in different milk substitutes varies widely. And it’s “reasonable to hypothesize that some shortchange children on protein, fat, and other nutrients.” [1]

Reasons to Argue that the Connection is Real

Connie Weaver, a professor of nutrition science at Purdue University who was also not involved in the study, believes fewer nutrients in plant-based beverages compared to cow’s milk may partly explain why young children who consumed milk alternatives were found to be shorter. [2]

Weaver stated:

“This is the first study that I recall directly comparing cow milk with plant-based beverages for a physiological benefit.

We know that some of the plant beverages, almond especially, have lower protein contents so I have speculated that calcium absorption may be lower. This would suggest that cow’s milk is superior.”

Another contributing factor to the difference in height could be that plant-based milks don’t stimulate the production of insulin-like growth factor, or IGF, as well as cow’s milk does.

Weaver explained:

“Having less IGF may compromise height but that may lower risk of fracture — and some cancers, too.”

The authors wrote:

“Many parents are choosing non-cow’s milk beverages like soy and almond milk because of perceived health benefits. However, non-cow’s milk contains less protein and fat than cow’s milk and may not have the same effect on height.” [3]

Maguire added:

“If products are being marketed as being equivalent to cow’s milk, as a consumer and a parent, I would like to know that they are in fact the same in terms of their effects on children’s growth.”

The researchers said there is no reason for parents to stop giving their children plant-based milks, but they should be “savvy” about reading nutrition labels, and should avoid milk beverages containing added sugar. [2]

But think twice before reaching for soy milk. As of 2012, about 88% of the soy grown in the U.S. is genetically modified. Past studies revealed that GMO soy is toxic to the kidneys, liver, and reproduction.

Soybeans have also been known to block the production of thyroid hormone, and potentially lead to the development of goiter, among other health problems.

Sources:

[1] Health Day

[2] CNN

[3] CBS News

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About Julie Fidler:
	Julie Fidler is a freelance writer, legal blogger, and the author of Adventures in Holy Matrimony: For Better or the Absolute Worst. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two ridiculously spoiled cats. She occasionally pontificates on her blog.

What Is Coral Calcium?

Calcium supplements have become very popular and are generally thought to be an effective way to promote healthy bone density. Indeed, calcium does have benefits but it’s important to understand there are various forms of calcium and they all behave a little differently. Some supplements are worthwhile and some are merely the work of scoundrels trying to capitalize on false pretenses. Before you invest in a calcium supplement it’s wise to understand a few things about calcium.

What is Coral Calcium?

Calcium is available in many forms- calcium carbonate, calcium citrate, calcium orotate, and that just names a few. Coral calcium, a form of calcium carbonate, is exactly what the name implies. It is calcium sourced from fossilized coral sources and is the most common form of calcium on the planet. A small, invertebrate animal polyp secretes a limey substance that hardens into the coral structure. This substance is calcium carbonate. If that description creates questions in your head about the sustainability of coral calcium harvesting, you’re on the right track. Concerns have been raised as to the environmental harm from ravaging irreplaceable coral beds. Is it even worth it?

Is Coral Calcium Effective?

Calcium in the most simple form is rock, which the human body can’t process. To deal with this, the body has a natural method called “chelating” which simply means that the calcium is combined or “coated with” another material. This other material, which may be an amino acid, is a substance the body can use and process. Chelating calcium with such a substance is done in attempt to make the body use and process the calcium as well.

Calcium citrate, for example, is simple calcium carbonate “chelated” with citric acid. The citric acid is considered food by the body, so calcium citrate is more easily absorbed into the body than calcium carbonate.

The stomach can also chelate calcium, and does, but, the older we get the less the body can chelate minerals and make them useful. Some forms of calcium, such as calcium orotate, incorporate advanced absorption mechanisms into their structure and may be beneficial for such situations.

False Claims of Coral Calcium

How effective is coral calcium? Well, it’s hard to say. But, in January 2004, the Federal Trade Commission came down upon some calcium carbonate manufacturers for making improper claims about the abilities of calcium carbonate and making claims that a coral calcium dietary supplement was able to cure cancer, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other serious diseases. The defendants were also reprimanded for claiming that the body absorbs coral calcium better than other calcium supplements. ^[1]

This is exactly why it’s imperative for you to investigate nutritional supplements on purpose and through research, not commercials! To market coral calcium with the promise of it being able to cure cancer isn’t just incorrect and ludicrous it’s immoral. Shame on them.

Coral Calcium Research

Coral calcium hasn’t provided many mind-blowing advances for the research community. The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Mahidol University in Bangkok collected samples of calcium carbonate salts and analyzed them for lead, cadmium and mercury. Every sample of the calcium carbonate contained lead. ^[2] A Japanese study with only 12 volunteers examined the effects of ingesting coral calcium via a cracker. Researchers did note a few interesting notes about observed absorbability but largely concluded that the data set was inconclusively small. ^[3]

Surprisingly, coral calcium has been shown to be useful in at least one application. A German surgeon had reported successfully using natural coral calcium for maxillofacial surgery bone grafting applications. ^[4]

Stick With What Works

For effective calcium supplementation, I only recommend calcium orotate. Calcium orotate is the single most effective form of calcium available. The orotate transfer system allows for calcium to penetrate into the cells that need it most.

References (4)

1. Federal Trade Comission. Marketers of coral calcium product are prohibited from making disease treatment and cure claims in advertising. 2004 January 22.


2. Bunyaratavej N, Buranasinsup S. Calcium supplement: humanity’s double-edged sword. J Med Assoc Thai. 2011 Oct;94 Suppl 5:S56-8.


3. Ishitani K, Itakura E, Goto S, Esashi T. Calcium absorption from the ingestion of coral-derived calcium by humans. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 1999 Oct;45(5):509-17.


4. Soost F, Reisshauer B, Herrmann A, Neumann HJ. [Natural coral calcium carbonate as alternative substitute in bone defects of the skull]. Mund Kiefer Gesichtschir. 1998 Mar;2(2):96-100. German.