Calcium, better bones and the magnesium connection

When you think of strong bones, you think about calcium, right? Well, it’s true to say that your bones and teeth are made mostly from calcium. It’s also true that calcium gives bones and teeth their strength and rigidity. But other minerals are also important. Getting enough bone-building minerals can be tricky for many of us – according to the Australian Nutrition Survey, about 90 per cent of women and 70 per cent of children don’t consume enough calcium in foods and drinks. Plus, many of us are fall short on other bone-strengthening nutrients. So, what can you do to keep your bones strong and healthy at every age?

 Live it well!

Enjoy calcium rich foods & drinks daily.

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.

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.

Sunshine is our greatest source of vitamin D

But calcium isn’t enough…

So that’s one thing straightened out. The next is the type of supplement to use. You already kow that calcium is the major player when it comes to bone health but it doesn’t work alone. To do its job of building strong bones and teeth, calcium needs vitamins (such as vitamins D and K) and minerals (such as phosphorus and magnesium) whatever your age.

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

And then there’s magnesium. Increasingly, studies are showing that many of us are low in this multifunctional mineral. Our very own USANA Ambassador, Dr Mehmet Oz, speaking on his award-winning show explained that: ‘Magnesium is essential to regulate metabolism and it helps lower blood pressure and dilate arteries. Three out of every four of you watching [The Dr Oz Show] right now are not getting the right amount of magnesium that you need. You are, in fact, magnesium deficient!’

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.

Written by USANA Australia New Zealand
Writer and Dietitian, Ravinder Lilly