| Boning up on Calcium Editor: Capocuoco
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The received wisdom
that increased intake of calcium, in the form of dairy products and supplements, will
protect against the spectre of osteoporosis is, to say the least, a flawed concept. The highest rates of osteoporosis are in the industrialised Western nations - the biggest consumers of milk. This is probably because these nations are also the largest consumers of animal protein, especially meat. As calcium acts as a neutraliser, high consumption of acidic foods, animal protein in particular, will cause calcium to be taken from bones and teeth to correct the imbalance. Some African cultures consume no dairy products at all, and have little or no osteoporosis. Similarly, rural Chinese consume less than half the calcium that Western populations are led to believe is necessary, and get it mainly from plant sources, yet their osteoporosis rates are one fifth of those in the West. Milk is undoubtedly a source of calcium, but also contains saturated fat, antibiotics and hormones, (which have been fed to cows to increase milk yield). Lactose-intolerance is prevalent throughout the world, causing over-production of mucus leading to congestion and chronic catarrhal states. Could it be that the nutrition policies of the US and Northern Europe are unhealthily influenced by the dairy industry? Hmmm ... Food for thought. ************************************* It seems that the key to maintaining healthy, strong bones depends more on preventing calcium loss than increasing calcium intake. It's one thing getting calcium-rich food into our mouths, getting it into our bones is a different matter. The average person absorbs 30-70 per cent of calcium eaten, but the more calcium taken in, the less the body will absorb, as the homoeostatic mechanism within the body carefully regulates its calcium absorption. Therefore, taking calcium supplements eventually works against the body, which will begin to excrete calcium from the bones rather than store it. Too much calcium continually circulating in the blood can cause calcification of soft tissues, and kidney stones. Caffeine, alcohol and salt increase calcium loss, through changes in blood sugar levels. The drop in blood sugar causes adrenaline to be released, and excess adrenaline has been shown to dissolve bone. Drinking tea with meals inhibits calcium absorption, as the tannin binds to the calcium. Inactivity decreases bone-density (astronauts lose bone-density in space). So get off that couch, and do some weight-bearing exercise. Walking, jogging and bouncing all build bone. They also improve muscle strength and co-ordination thereby enhancing the ability to absorb the shock of a fall, and minimising the possibility of falling in the first place. Drugs such as steroids, laxatives and diuretics all decrease bone mass. ************************************* That was the bad news, but switching to a less protein based, more vegetarian, alkaline diet, can do much to aid the body to balance its calcium intake. Great sources of calcium are dark green leafy vegetables, soya-based foods (organic of course), beans and pulses, dried fruit such as figs, sesame seeds and sea vegetables (such as kelp). Alkaline foods include all fruit and vegetables, sprouted seeds, nuts and buckwheat. A tablespoon of cider vinegar and honey in a cup of warm water daily helps to assimilate calcium in your food. ************************************* Finally, osteoporosis is NOT an inevitable
symptom of ageing. Lack of research into this area means that it is an imperfectly
understood disease, but is coming to be seen more as a "lifestyle" disorder
rather than a problem linked to menopausal/hormonal changes. Your body is amazingly
resposive to positive input ... so next time you sit down to a TV dinner of ribs washed
down with a glass of milk, just think ... Wouldn't you rather be dancing?? |
