Writer and Dietitian, Ravinder Lilly
Enjoy calcium-rich foods and drinks daily |
Live it well!
A healthy lifestyle is the basis of good health - enjoy one that involves a healthy mixed diet with foods that are naturally calcium rich plus foods and drinks that are fortified with calcium.Weight-bearing exercise also helps to encourage bone-building cells and helps calcium be absorbed by your bones, strengthening them and helping to maintain strong bones. But if you're still not managing the 1000-1300mg of calcium recommended daily for adults, calcium supplements can bridge the nutritional gap.Why the bad rap?
Calcium supplements have hit the headlines for the wrong reasons, lately. For example, some headlines drew a link between calcium supplements and heart disease. Others have suggested no bone health benefits from taking calcium supplements. But other large studies clearly show calcium supplementation can have postive paybacks where it comes to bone health. So who to believe?
What the experts say
The experts in bone health, Osteoporosis Australia, haven’t been swayed by the confusing news headlines. They're continuing to recommend calcium supplements saying: ‘[calcium supplements] may be beneficial for general health as well as reducing fracture risk in people who may not be getting enough calcium through their diet.’ Their official line? ‘Osteoporosis Australia recommends a daily supplement of 500-600mg of calcium.' OA adds, 'Clinical trials have shown that calcium supplementation, especially when combined with vitamin D, reduces the rate of bone loss and fracture in people who are likely to be deficient in dietary calcium, and optimises the effectiveness of osteoporosis medicines.’
Find calcium in a whole range of foods! |
And talking about bone density, do you need to get your bone density checked? Depending upon your osteoporosis risk (assessed by your doctor), you may referred to a trained specialist at a radiology service who can check the health and strength of your bones. This is normally done every five years or so, or on your GP's advice.
But calcium isn’t enough…
Sunshine is our greatest source of vitamin D |
Living in the sun-soaked southern hemisphere you’d think that most of us get plenty of the so called sunshine vitamin (most of our vitamin D is made by the action of UV light on the skin). But, a staggering one in three of us is short on vitamin D. Your body also needs vitamin K to help transport calcium. It also needs We also need phosphorus – but opting for too many fast foods and drinks like cola (which can actually dissolve bones and teeth), means that some of us are getting to mcuh which can have a negative impact on bone health, a revelation dubbed the cola connection.
The marvels of magnesium
Pumpkin seeds are a great source of magnesium |
Getting enough magnesium is important for so many reasons. For example, before calcium can work with vitamin D to strengthen bones, magnesium must be present. It converts vitamin D into its active form – you could say that magnesium is the payment needed before vitamin D will do its job properly!
Getting enough magnesium also helps to keep calcium dissolved in the blood and not deposited where it shouldn’t be. And, if you’re already low in magnesium and you’re taking vitamin D to build up your stores, your muscles could be left short. This is because magnesium is drawn from your muscles. Symptoms of low magnesium levels include muscle tenderness, cramps, restless legs and twitching. Remember that your heart is also a muscle and it needs magnesium too! To keep your magnesium levels topped up, nibble on nuts and seeds – pumpkin seeds are an especially good choice.
Brilliant bone boosters
So, protecting your bones whatever your age requires a full-on mixture of minerals and vitamins. And, all in all, there’s a strong case in favour of supplementing with calcium especially when you can’t get all your needs via diet alone. And, because of the widespread deficiency of vitamin D in Australia and New Zealand, a calcium-vitamin D plus magnesium (which many of us are low on) supplement is a wise choice.
This month at USANA Australia and New Zealand, we’re shining the nutritional spotlight on the carefully formulated bone-boosting recipe that is Active Calcium Plus™. It contains two different types of calcium for better absorption and each tablet provides a 200mg calcium. The magnesium in the formula encourages your body to produce a hormone called calcitonin which helps to take calcium from blood and soft tissue and into the bones where it needs to be. This not only strengthens bones, but it reduces the likelihood of heart attack and kidney stones (side effects which have been seen in calcium only supplements and which has contributed to the inconsistent and puzzling media reports).
Choose the wonderful formulation that is Active Calcium Plus today – it carries USANA’s Potency Guarantee, so you know that it is pure, safe, and effective. Your bones deserve it today, and tomorrow, and in the years to come!
Active Calcium Plus™ (112 tablets/bottle) is:
Laboratory tested, quality guaranteed. Meets British Pharmacopoeia specifications for potency, uniformity, and disintegration where applicable.
Using Active Calcium Plus: Take four tablets daily, preferably with meals.
Vitamin supplements should not replace a balanced diet.
USE ONLY AS DIRECTED. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL.
IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST SEE YOUR HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER.
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