SUPPLEMENTS/CALCIUM LOSS
Some vitamin and mineral supplements contain vitamin D, although
this fact is not on the label. A study from Cedars-Sinai Medical
Center and the University of California at Los Angeles discovered
that very high doses of vitamin D produce "vitamin D intoxication,"
which causes the body to increase the amount of calcium excreted in
the urine. (Annals of Internal Medicine 127(3)203-206, August 1,
1997) Copyright Phylis Austin
SALT/CALCIUM LOSS
Those who take a high salt diet lose more calcium in their urine
than those on a low salt diet. (American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition 63:735-740, 1996) Copyright Phylis Austin
CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTS/LEAD
Parents whose children are lactose intolerant are often instructed
to give their children calcium tablets to provide the calcium they
would be expected to get from milk. Calcium supplements may
provide more than calcium though-- one-quarter of all calcium
supplements tested were found to have excessively high levels of
lead. Dolomite, bone meal, and calcium chelates all demonstrated
excessively high lead levels. The Centers for Disease Control
currently considers lead poisoning one of the most common pediatric
problems in the United States. (American Journal of Public Health
83:1155-1160, August 1993) Copyright Phylis Austin
PREECLAMPSIA OF PREGNANCY/CALCIUM/VITAMIN D-3
Calcium and vitamin D-3 supplements during pregnancy decrease the
percentage of pregnant women who develop preeclampsia according to
a report from Japan. Over 900 women were followed throughout
pregnancy; 16.9% of those not treated developed preeclampsia, but
only 10.9% of those given the supplements did. The supplements may
be beneficial to women at high risk of preeclampsia.
(International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 47:115-120,
1994) Copyright Phylis Austin
CALCIUM/KIDNEY STONES
The use of calcium supplements increases the risk of development
of kidney stones, while calcium in foods decreases the risk,
according to the Harvard School of Public Health. (Annals of
Internal Medicine 126(7)497-504, 1997) Copyright Phylis Austin
CALCIUM/KIDNEY STONES
Because calcium is known to play a role in kidney stone
formation physicians have been placing their kidney stone patients
on low calcium diets. There have been no good studies that show
benefit from this dietary restriction.
A recent 12-year study of over 91,000 women being followed in
the Nurses' Health Study, indicates that dietary calcium decreases
the risk of kidney stones, while calcium supplements increase the
risk. The researchers point out that foods are more than the sum
of their nutrients. Other factors in food may impact utilization
and absorption.
They also observed that sucrose and sodium intake increase the
risk of kidney stones, while fluid intake and potassium reduce the
risk. (Annals of Internal Medicine 126(7)497-504, April 1, 1997).
Another reason to get your vitamins and minerals from food instead
of pills.
It is believed that calcium in food ties up oxalates present in
other foods, reducing the amount of oxalate available to form
stones. Oxalates are among the commonest substances causing kidney
stones. Copyright Phylis Austin
CALCIUM/KALE
Are you looking for a good source of calcium? The calcium from
kale has been shown to be readily absorbed. Collards, mustard
greens, and turnip greens are also good calcium sources. (American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition 51:656, April 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin
DAIRY PRODUCTS/CALCIUM
The National Dairy Council has informed us for years that dairy
products are essential to the building of good bones. A study from
Washington State University suggests that increasing dairy product
use does not increase calcium levels in young women using caffeine.
(Journal of Bone and Mineral Research 5(Suppl 2)S115, August 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin
CALCIUM/WHEAT FLOUR
Calcium absorption from whole-wheat flour foods is as good as from
milk, the widely advertised "calcium food." Phytic acid is broken
down by yeast fermentation. Some researchers have reported that
phytate reduced calcium absorption, while other studies have not
confirmed that finding. The inaccuracy of calcium balance testing
techniques make it impossible to accurately determine calcium
balance. (Journal of Nutrition 121:1769-1775, 1991) Copyright Phylis Austin
OAT BRAN/CALCIUM/PHOSPHORUS/MAGNESIUM/ZINC
Volunteers consuming 20.8 grams of oat bran in muffins demonstrated
no adverse effects on zinc, phosphorus, magnesium or calcium
balances. (Journal of Nutrition 121:1976-1983, 1991) Copyright Phylis Austin
CALCIUM/BOILED MILK
Calcium in boiled milk is less readily absorbed by the body
according to two researchers from Scotland. (Medical Tribune
29(34)2, December 8, 1988) This suggests that milk may not be as
good a source of calcium as had been previously believed. Copyright Phylis Austin
CALCIUM INTAKE/FETAL DEVELOPMENT
Laboratory mice given high calcium diets before becoming pregnant
produced offspring with lower birth weights and increased rates of
skeletal abnormalities than did a control group of mice given a
normal diet. This suggests that the practice of encouraging
pregnant women to take a high calcium diet or calcium supplements
may not be best. The researchers suggest that "calcium should be
considered an experimental drug until definite studies conclusively
show efficacy and demonstrate safety." (Journal of Canadian Dental
Association 55(2)129-133, February, 1989) Copyright Phylis Austin
CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTS/CONTAMINANTS
Those taking calcium supplements in an attempt to prevent
osteoporosis may be consuming toxic trace metal contaminants. An
analysis of samples of dolomite from a health food store contained
aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, manganese,
selenium and zinc. (American Journal of Hypertension 1(3 Part
3)137S-142S, July 1988) Copyright Phylis Austin
CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTS/URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS
A high intake of calcium may lead to increased risk of urinary
tract infection by encouraging bacteria to stick to the lining of
the urinary tract, rather than being flushed out with the urine.
It has been estimated that there are six to seven million doctor's
office visits each year for urinary tract infections. About one-
fifth of the population suffer three to six urinary tract
infections per year. A study from the Department of Biological
Sciences at Youngstown State University in Ohio, reveals that
excess calcium levels in the urine encourage bacterial adherence.
Women taking calcium supplements in an attempt to prevent
osteoporosis may be bringing on urinary tract infections.
(Urological Research 18:213-217, 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin
CALCIUM/BONE STRENGTH
Large doses of calcium may decrease bone strength. The calcium to
phosphorus ratio is generally one-to-one, but large calcium
supplements alter the ratio and may produce weakening of the bones.
High calcium levels also interfere with vitamin K function and may
lead to internal bleeding. (Nutrition News 43(11)345, 1985) Women
taking calcium in hope of preventing osteoporosis should be aware
of the associated risks. Copyright Phylis Austin
CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTS/ARTHRITIS
Calcium supplements may induce symptoms of arthritis in sensitive patients. A 67-year-old
woman developed pain, swelling and redness in her right thumb after she began taking
calcium supplements. Symptoms cleared within about two weeks after the calcium
supplement was discontinued. She was later started on Os-Cal as a calcium supplement, and
within two weeks the symptoms recurred, again clearing with the cessation of the calcium
intake. Some people may be very sensitive to calcium supplements. (Canadian Medical
Association Journal 138:208, February 1, 1988) Copyright Phylis Austin
CAFFEINE/CALCIUM EXCRETION
Caffeine intake induces the body to lose calcium, which may predispose to osteoporosis.
Previous studies have shown that the intake of caffeine causes decreased bone mineral levels
in adult women. (Nutrition Reviews 46:232-234, June 1988) Copyright Phylis Austin
CALCIUM/LACTOSE/OSTEOPOROSIS
Lactose is required to properly digest milk sugar. Lactase
deficiency and associated malabsorption of calcium may be risk
factors for osteoporosis more often than is commonly recognized.
A study conducted at Royal Adelaide Hospital in Adelaide, South
Australia revealed lactose malabsorption in over half of the
subjects tested. The authors "conclude that there is a very high
incidence of both lactose and calcium malabsorption in
postmenopausal osteoporosis. Milk and milk products may therefore
not be the optimum source of calcium in these subjects."
(Gastroenterology 90(5 Pt. 2)1465, May 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin
CALCIUM/OSTEOPOROSIS
Dr. John Meuleman of the Veteran's Administration Medical Center in
Gainesville, Florida, states that there is insufficient evidence to
prove that calcium intake has anything to do with bone density. He
observes that this theory came from a study in Yugoslavia which
compared rates of fractures in two communities with different
calcium intakes. A recent Iowa study revealed no difference in
bone density between two communities with different calcium
intakes. (Cardiovascular News, March 1986, p. 1) Copyright Phylis Austin
CAFFEINE/CALCIUM LOSS
Calcium loss via the urine is increased with the use of coffee,
according to studies by Dr. Linda Massey, associate professor of
human nutrition at Washington State University in Pullman,
Washington. In 133 of the 135 subjects in the study calcium loss
doubled after caffeine use. (Modern Medicine, August 1986, p. 13,
14). Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, colas, and chocolate. Copyright Phylis Austin
ANTACID TABLETS/CALCIUM
Many physicians (and antacid producers) are recommending the use of
antacids as a source of calcium to prevent osteoporosis. Dr. Louis
Avioli, professor of Medicine at Washington University School of
Medicine in St. Louis points out that the calcium may not be
biologically available. Calcium cannot be absorbed in the stomach
unless acid is available, and the purpose of antacids is to tie up
this free acid. Antacids also contain fillers which may further
hinder absorption of the calcium. (Geriatrics 41(3)22, March, 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin
CALCIUM
David McCarron, M.D., associate head of the division of nephrology
and hypertension at the Oregon Health Sciences University at
Portland, Oregon, reports that dietary calcium may be more
effective than calcium supplements in reducing high blood pressure.
Potassium, sodium, and other nutrients in foods increased calcium
absorption; supplements do not contain these substances and are not
so readily absorbed. Bone repair and stabilization is apparently
also better from food than from supplements. Copyright Phylis Austin
CALCIUM OVERDOSE
John Krupko, M.D., clinical assistant professor of medicine at Ohio
State University in Columbus, Ohio, cautions that women who are
taking calcium supplements to prevent osteoporosis should be
carefully monitored lest they induce kidney stone formation or
abnormally high levels of calcium. (Geriatrics 39(12)16, December,
1984) We should like to add that checking blood levels of calcium
in no way reflect tissue calcium levels. Heart valves, arteries and
gall bladders can show the effects of high intake of calcium while
the blood shows a perfectly normal or even low blood calcium. Copyright Phylis Austin
SALT/CALCIUM/OSTEOPOROSIS
Sodium chloride (table salt) has been shown to increase calcium
loss in the urine. A group of laboratory animals given salt lost
more calcium in their urine than those not given salt, and had less
calcium in their bones. This suggests that a high salt diet may
adversely affect bone mineral levels. (Mineral and Electrolyte
Metabolism 10:58-62, 1984) Copyright Phylis Austin
PRENATAL CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTS/GALLSTONES IN
INFANTS
Calcium supplements during pregnancy may induce gallstones in
infants and young children. The two year-old daughter of a woman
given calcium carbonate and vitamin D during the last four months
of the pregnancy required surgical removal of gallstones which were
found to be made up entirely of calcium carbonate. This is the
first case reported of pure calcium carbonate gallstones. (Journal
of Pediatric Surgery 20:143-144, April, 1985) Copyright Phylis Austin