Calcium :: Healthy Lifestyles and Natural Weight Loss Information

Calcium

As women reach their early 50s, their bodies undergo many changes, including the beginning stages of menopause and a decrease in bone mass of 3 percent or more per year that can ultimately result in osteoporosis. But this bone loss begins much earlier, at about the age of 35.

A common treatment for menopause that also helps to stave off bone loss is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT is typically prescribed by physicians to treat menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and anxiety. Estrogen, a component of HRT, is needed to prevent osteoporosis, which is why it is prescribed for bone loss.

But recent clinical studies have shown HRT to be dangerous. A large clinical study by the National Institute of Health scheduled to run through 2005 was suddenly halted after researchers found significant health risks. It was revealed that long-term HRT caused a significant risk to cardiovascular health and breast cancer in women.

Compared to a placebo, women taking a combination estrogen/progestin therapy had a 26-percent increase in breast cancer, a 41 percent increase in strokes, 29-percent increase in heart attacks, 22-percent increase in total cardiovascular disease, and 100-percent increase in blood clots. Additional analysis of this study one year later revealed that women over 65 taking the HRT drug Prempro had twice the rates of Alzheimer’s disease. Prior to this realization, doctors mistakenly believed that HRT actually prevented mild cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.

Although HRT raised these health concerns it did display one health benefit, a 24-percent decrease in bone fracture rates. So, in spite of its risks and side-effects, doctors may still be tempted to recommend HRT to treat osteoporosis related to menopause.

Can you maintain healthy bone density without using HRT? Absolutely. Bone-building calcium will reduce the risk of osteoporosis, especially if you take a calcium supplement that allows for the most bioavailability. Also, if you are already over 35 years old, it is important to look for calcium that increases bone density, not just one that prevents bone loss.

Calcium carbonate is the most common, inexpensive, but poorly absorbed form of calcium. Calcium citrate is much more absorbable than calcium carbonate but contains only half as much elemental calcium and must be taken in larger quantities, resulting in larger pills.

Active absorbable algal calcium (AAACa) is a combination of calcium hydroxide and calcium oxide with a heated algal ingredient (HAI). The HAI is a hijiki seaweed extract rich in amino acids and minerals that increases the bioavailability of the calcium. There is evidence that HAI decreases levels of the parathyroid hormone (PTH), the hormone that causes osteoporosis. AAACa has been clinically shown to increase bone mineral density significantly.

In addition to taking at least 1000 mg of calcium daily, focus on eating calcium-rich foods such as salmon, sardines, green leafy vegetables, and dairy products to protect the body naturally from osteoporosis. A daily exercise regimen that includes weight-bearing exercises will also significantly help to increase bone strength.

Source: alive #252, October 2003

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