The calcium hoax

Nearly 80% of older women have BBD (Brittle Bone Disease), AND like hypertension, it does its dirty work, silently. We, most often, do not even learn of it until it is too late. Women usually find out when they break a wrist, hip or sustain a spinal injury. Also, if you notice yourself “shrinking,” this could be a hint that you have osteoporosis. This disease causes nearly 27 million spine, hip and wrist fractures, yearly in our country (later in the article, I will tie in the reason for this).

Usually, the percentages are 45% hip, 40% spinal and 15% wrist. I have noticed this, too, and wondered why women seem to be three times as likely to suffer a broken hip. In actuality, I can’t say I have ever heard of a male having a broken hip other than if it was the result of a car accident—of that number, 80% of the cases belong to women, with just 20% being men. In general, men have larger bones, so it takes more and longer for the BBD perpetrators to affect me. Testosterone, as well, is like a mega vaccine against bone loss!

Also, 20% of women die as a result of a hip fracture or break due to conditions related to the fracture OR to fracture-related surgery. As a result of all of this, the knee-jerk reaction ensues. Patients are so fearful of a hip fracture or break that they start requesting “preventive” measures from their doctors or, on their own, mega-dosing on calcium.

To fix this reaction, we must deliver the true risk picture. The cause of osteoporosis needs to be divulged and the focus needs to be OFF calcium! Again, further along this piece explains WHY we have so many cases of BBD in this country: enter cow’s milk with the A-1 Casein!

First, let’s dive into the maladies of calcium hyper-dosing:

1) Taking calcium (more than 550 mg) augments the incidence of heart attacks by 86% compared to those who don’t take (too much) calcium.

2) The participants from various studies showed that those who took supplements (less than 550 mg per day…) or received their calcium from foods were at the lowest risk of coronary disease.

3) It also showed in the studies that those who took excess calcium were not additionally protected than the ones who took the safe amount.

So, to avoid being a victim of BBD, do not take in by diet or supplementation more than 550 mg of calcium per day. Mega-dosing on this can cause kidney stones, arthritis and heart issues.

Now, for the scans that we routinely have done to diagnose the condition that leads to hyper-dosing on calcium.

Here are the contraindicators that show the downside of the DEXA scans:

1) Misleading results can be obtained by structural defects in the spine (arthritis, scoliosis, or previous spinal injuries).

2) Idiosyncrasies of machinery, as results can vary according to the specific company making the machine and/or a lack of proper calibration, initially, upon installing the machine; (remember, with medicine, now, the entire thrust is to sell pills, make money because medicine is now corporate and the pillar of our GDP!)

3) These aren’t 100% accurate due to a low T-score as this does not guarantee a fracture, nor does a healthy T-score guarantee no fractures in the future. Remember that age and fall history come into play, as well.

4) Over-diagnosis risk comes into play when those with atypical bone structure or prior injuries may receive inaccurate readings that indicate severe osteoporosis, when, in fact, it is absent.

For receiving more “valid” test results for BBD, make sure:

a) The same machine will be used each time you are checked out.

b) Actually, LOOK at the images (so request a copy each time for YOUR records); don’t merely rely on the report. Due diligence is necessary in ALL aspects of life.

c) Context is crucial so it needs to be based upon the scan PLUS personal history, fracture or fall incidents in the past and any new medications introduced since last scan.

Safest manner of calcium intake would be:

This story/discovery took place in New Zealand in the 1990s as two university professors accidentally discovered that some people who consumed dairy products came down with serious illnesses while others did not! This all has to do with milk proteins. All proteins in milk fit into one of two categories:

* A-1 Beta Casein

* A-2 Beta Casein

The A-2 BCs are the “good” guys as they are easily digested and DON’T cause disease. On the other hand, the A-1 Caseins are truly the “bad” guys as they cause diabetes, heart disease, autism and schizophrenia all due to a Beta-Casomorphin-7. The New Zealand research group did an experiment with the two types of milk and proved that the A-1 group had different levels of clogged arteries, without that being true of the A-2 group.

So, how do I consume the dairy from A-2 cows? It isn’t easy! Goats’ milk is all A-2, only, as well as sheep dairy products, but if you want only cow’s milk that is good, it must come from Europe.

Another great way to get calcium (that is safe) is via buffered Vitamin C. This supplement will help you lose weight as a “side effect.” It alkalizes your blood which stops food cravings. The calcium carbonate in the buffered Vitamin C binds to the ascorbic acid (in the supplement) and then becomes calcium ascorbate. Calcium reduces food cravings when coupled with magnesium and potassium. Then, when those are added to the ascorbic acid, they become “ascorbates” which inhibit cravings. The calcium emits a signal to the body that it needs no more food either to eat OR to store. For safe calcium consumption and weight loss, take 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of NutriCology’s Buffered Vitamin C with Magnesium and Potassium.

Also, a word to the wise: Stay away from daily consumption of the dark colas (carbonated drinks) as according to the landmark Framingham Osteoporosis Study, researchers learned that women who drank colas every day had a much lower bone density and, thusly, were much more prone to hip fractures than those who didn’t consume the soft drinks.

Do your weight bearing or resistance exercises and keep the extra weight off; do the safer calcium which is no more than 500-550 mg per day, and you shouldn’t have to fret about weak bones!