Calcium, Magnesium, Strong Bones & Teeth vs. Osteoporosis, Pop & Soda

Do you remember being told by your parents to “drink your milk” for strong bones? Walk through the supermarket and you’ll see numerous calcium-fortified juices, cereals, and other products. There is no question that calcium is critical for strong bones and teeth, but how much is enough to prevent getting “holey bones” (osteoporosis)?

The body begins to build bone mass as infants and continues to do so throughout childhood into young adulthood, reaching a peak between the ages of 25 and 30. During these years, it is obviously important to get the proper amount of calcium, vitamin D and other nutrients to ensure strong bone formation to reach maximum density. After age 25 to 30 everyone (both men and women) needs to continue to provide their bodies with these necessary nutrients in the recommended amounts for life, but during the formative years it is absolutely critical!

If you are using calcium-fortified products, thinking you are taking good care of your bones, think again. Next time you buy some calcium-fortified orange juice, check out the amount of calcium in an eight-ounce serving. There is a very small percentage of the daily amount of calcium needed in each serving. Calcium-fortified juices and other products are not intended to be a major source of calcium. “Calcium fortified” is in fact a marketing scheme. The public know that calcium is essential. “Calcium-fortified” on a label is a marketing strategy to get people to buy more of a particular product. Don’t be taken by advertising and labeling. Make sure to get an adequate daily intake of calcium through natural sources to prevent bone loss and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Knowing a few facts about bones will explain why osteoporosis occurs. The bone structure is made of both calcium salts and phosphate salts, held together in a matrix of collagen. The salts give bone its amazing strength and ability to withstand stress, and collagen, the main protein of skin tendons and cartilage also provides flexibility to bones.

When viewed through a microscope, bone structure resembles a sponge. The skeletal mass is constantly losing cells, remodeling cells, and building cells. Therefore the skeletal mass you have today will be 100% changed in a little over one year!

Calcium is an essential nutrient for bones and teeth, using about 99% of the calcium in the body. The remaining 1% is used for many cellular functions including the maintenance of proper electrolyte balance in the heart muscle and regulation of heart rhythm. Calcium also aids in clotting and is essential for proper nerve transmission. It helps maintain normal blood pressure and therefore plays a role in preventing hypertension (high blood pressure).

In order to perform the above-described function, the cells must have calcium on demand. Bones serve as a reservoir of calcium, responding to the various needs of the body. People with an inadequate intake of calcium, such as chronic dieters, will require their bones to give up calcium in order to keep the heart pumping properly, nerves transmitting normally, etc.. Studies also confirm that getting adequate supplies of calcium along with magnesium reduces symptoms of PMS.

There was an alarming study completed at the Harvard School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School, published in 2000. In the study, 15 to 17 year old girls were tested for bone density. They found a direct link to the amount of carbonated beverages consumed to much lower bone density levels in these girls. The more pop/soda they drank, the more porous their bones were and this was during the years when there bodies were still supposed to be building bone for the rest of their lives. Instead they were already losing bone mass.

This can’t be emphasized enough. When the body does not get the calcium it needs from the diet, bones begin to deteriorate. This is the start of osteoporosis. It can remain undetected and painless in the early stages, but as it progresses, bones become weak, fragile, and prone to breaking. Osteoporosis affects the spine, as well as the hip and wrist. It can also bring on severe back pain.

The National Institute of Health and the National Academy of Science recommends calcium intake of 1200-1500 mg per day for male and female. Some experts recommend up to 2000 mg daily for postmenopausal women. It is easy to see why osteoporosis is such a health threat, when the typical American woman consumes less than 600 mg of calcium per day.

The best way to have strong bones is to eat lots of fruits and vegetables, potassium and magnesium, and really limit your intake of pop/soda, and get plenty of exercise. Nutrients that aid calcium absorption include vitamin D, copper, zinc, manganese, silicon and boron. Because people do not take in adequate calcium by food sources, calcium supplements are extremely important for both women and men. Look for a calcium supplement that is in the form of calcium carbonate and calcium citrate blend which is the easiest form for your body to absorb and utilize, along with vitamin D.

We at the Universal Key strongly recommend Osteomatrix dietary supplement, with clinically proven absorption and the right blend of nutrients to build and maintain strong bones. Check out the links below this article to see why choosing your Calcium & Magnesium from a trusted source makes all the difference. (Hint, don't assume that because its on a store shelf there looking out for you). You know what they say about assuming.....in this case its very true.