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Milk is a good source of Calcium, but not necessarily the best, says Dr. Michael Miles.
Calcium is a mineral with many uses in the body. It, of course, adds structural strength to bones and enamel. Also, calcium is part of the electrolyte exchange that propagates nerve signals and muscle contractions and expansions.
As with any of the minerals we use, calcium gets absorbed from our diet. It comes into our bodies attached, or “chelated,” to a protein for the most part. The protein is like a big truck loaded down with the mineral. The way I say it is that some truck drivers know where they’re going and some don’t. That is to say, the calcium is more “bio-available.”
There is one form of calcium that is derived from bone metabolites and is directed straight to the bones (hydroxyapatite). Other forms, prepared in a laboratory, are more effected by their carrier proteins. For instance, calcium citrate (using citric acid as the carrier protein) has a fairly good reputation for being “bio-available,” meaning available for the body to use in the bones or muscles or nerves. Calcium carbonate (TUMS) is not quite as good. Malic acid (calcium malate), as well as orotate, is also a fairly good carrier protein. Milk has limited value as a calcium source.
The body maintains tight parameters for how much calcium is in the body. The thyroid is the organ that regulates this. If calcium concentration drops, the para-thyroid hormone goes out looking for more. It does this by pulling in more from the food passing through the gut, blocking the excretion of calcium through the kidneys, and eventually pulling it out of the bones. If there is too much calcium on board, calcitonin is released from the thyroid to channel the excess out.
Estrogen plays a major role in managing the calcium levels in the bones. If estrogen is present, it blocks the para-thyroid hormone from pulling calcium out of the bones. This is why post-menopausal women are at higher risk for developing osteopenia and osteoporosis.
A key component to maintaining strong bones is weight baring exercise. This places a demand on the bones which triggers the body to channel calcium that direction.
Vitamin D also plays a big role in the absorption of calcium. It is an interesting phenomenon these days that the majority of people are low in Vitamin D. It is absorbed from the sun. It is important for the absorption of calcium into the bones and to fight cancer. Theoretically, we need only 20 minutes of sun on our skin to maintain optimal Vitamin D in our systems. But, for some reason, this is apparently not happening. Therefore, supplementation is essential. Vitamin D is actually not even a vitamin. It is a fat soluble hormone. As such it is possible to absorb a harmful amount of it if we overdue the supplementation.
Calcium depletion can result in muscle cramping and tingling in the extremities due to nerve disruption. It also causes bones to become weak and misalign. Chiropractic adjustments can help tremendously with bone anomalies.
Due to the importance of calcium and the uncertainty of its presence in our bodies, it has become popular to supplement on a daily basis. A typical dose is 1200 milligrams along with 600 milligrams of magnesium.
Dr. Michael Miles is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in psychology and pre-med, he completed his studies in medicine at the highly regarded Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Miles offers a holistic, integrative general practice, which focuses on treating chronic and degenerative diseases, digestive disorders and hormonal imbalances, as well as allergies and infections of all kinds. He holds a special interest in chelation therapy used in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. He is also very active in cancer research. He prefers non-toxic treatment techniques that include botanical medicine, clinical nutrition and homeopathy, but will offer pharmaceutical remedies when appropriate. You will find Dr. Miles to be compassionate, sincere and a strong advocate for your health. He is opening a new office in Catalina in June of 2014 which will feature hyperbaric oxygen therapy in addition to his normal services. www.catalinaclinic.com
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