January 20, 2022 general

Ask average people on the street “what is needed for strong bones?” and they will answer simply “calcium”.

That shows the tremendous power of marketing and repetition. The positive calcium message got a big boost in 1956 when the “4 Food Groups” charts appeared in schools. But, going back to 1915, the National Dairy Council has worked hard to remind us that we need milk for general health and strong bones. That trade group has assured that any new government dietary guidelines include generous amounts of dairy. If you aren’t aware of the government’s poor track record, it is tempting to buy into the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) charts and pyramids…that is only until we learn how little of their contents are based on science and how much is due to lobbying from industry. It is a obvious and worrisome conflict of interest that the USDA is charged with both citizen health and promotion of agribusiness’s economic interests.

Given the indoctrination that we’ve all received, it must have come as a shock to many listeners when on the January 15 show, Tom Levy, MD discussed his book Death by Calcium. Let’s review some facts about calcium and bones in general:

• Of course, we need the mineral calcium. The mineral is required for life itself. The only questions are in what form we get it, when, and how much? The National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements provides this fact sheet. The mineral is especially important for children who are building their bone structure. In seniors it can become a factor in premature aging.
• Dairy is not the only source of calcium. Canned sardines and salmon with bones (e.g. canned salmon) contain calcium as do certain vegetables, such as kale, broccoli, and Chinese cabbage (i.e. bok choi). The US has the highest intake of calcium in the world and, interestingly, also the highest incidence of osteoporosis.
• Dairy alternatives. A well-rounded diet of real (unprocessed) food will provide sufficient calcium for most people without supplemental pills or even working too hard to consume dairy products.
• Deficiency? Folks living in poverty and/or “food deserts” may be low in calcium and therefore subject to deficiency problems because they just don’t have access to a good diet. Note also that dark skinned people may not make enough vitamin D which is needed for calcium absorption.Low stomach acid can also create mineral deficiencies (even if that low acid is caused by prescribed heartburn drugs).
• Research. Studies do not consistently show that throwing calcium supplements at osteoporosis solves the problem—even with the addition of vitamin D which aids absorption.
• There is more to the story. Bones require other minerals such as magnesium, manganese, zinc, silica and boron.
• Bone minerals are held in a collagen matrix. Vitamin C is needed to make that collagen and also performs other roles crucial to bone health. That is why Suzanne Humphries, MD wrote “Osteoporosis Is Scurvy of the Bone, Not Calcium Deficiency.”
• Remodeling. Bones stay strong because they are constantly “remodeling”. That means that old bone is broken down, and new stronger bone takes its place. (Obviously, to build new bone, all the raw materials must available in the body.)
• Osteoporosis drugs. Most osteoporosis drugs stop the breakdown part of the remodeling process. That does result in greater bone density, but the bones may be more brittle and therefore more prone to breakage than natural bone. There are also disturbing side effects to the medications. Read more.
• Vitamin K2 guides calcium into bones where it is needed and out of the cardiovascular system where it can cause disease.
• Hormones also have a big impact on bones. In fact, low levels of estrogen may be the primary reason that postmenopausal women so often lose bone density. Resveratrol is good for bones is in part due to the fact that it acts as a gentle estrogen. A scientific human study is described as “24-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-period crossover intervention conducted to evaluate the effects of resveratrol on cognition, cerebrovascular function, bone health, cardiometabolic markers, and well-being in postmenopausal women.” Researchers found that “regular supplementation with 75 mg of resveratrol twice daily has the potential to slow bone loss in the lumbar spine and femoral neck, common fracture sites in postmenopausal women without overt osteoporosis.” They also noted that “the bone-protective benefit of resveratrol was greater in participants who supplemented with vitamin D plus calcium [as well as well as resveratrol].” As you probably know, my choice (and Sherry Rogers, MD’s) for resveratrol is Longevinex.
• Calcium in excess and where it is not needed can have serious side effects. The government fact sheet says, “High levels of calcium in the blood and urine can cause poor muscle tone, poor kidney function, low phosphate levels, constipation, nausea, weight loss, extreme tiredness, frequent need to urinate, abnormal heart rhythms, and a high risk of death from heart disease. However, high levels of calcium in the blood and urine are usually caused by a health condition such as high levels of parathyroid hormone or cancer, not by high calcium intakes.” Tom Levy, MD in his book, Death by Calcium, states that calcium “promotes all known chronic degenerative diseases, and it significantly shortens life.” He explained on the show that in cells unneeded calcium becomes a damaging oxidant (what we take antioxidants to combat).
• Calcium supplements. Most people would be better off working to eat a healthier diet rather than taking calcium supplements. (Magnesium would usually be a better supplement choice.) For those who have reason to worry that they are not getting enough calcium for their bones and wish to supplement, I recommend Jarrow’s BoneUp. It is a complex of nutrients for bone and contains a special form of calcium that can more easily become bone.
• Gut ‘bugs’ should be helping. Our friendly bacteria are a key part of the control for virtually all systems in the body, so it should be no surprise that studies show they are involved in bone health. They also protect against leaky gut which is a risk for bone disease.  A scientific study showed that taking Dr. Ohhira’s probiotics increased bone mineral content by 32%.
• Exercise is important to remind the bones that they need to stay strong. Here is what the Mayo Clinic recommends.
• Stem cell therapy. Stem cell therapy is not intended to specifically treat any diagnosis such as osteoporosis. However, because these fantastic natural cells go where there is degeneration, inflammation, and other trouble and become what they need to be, I’ve heard wonderful testimonials about improved bone health as well as a great many other issues. Read more about Stem Cells. Check this linked page of our website for webinars and informative conference call. For a valuable, no cost, no obligation professional consultation call (800) 507-6509.