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teeth and nerves. Calcium helps regulate cell permeability, acid-base balance, hormone secretion,
cell division and osmotic balance. It stabilizes cell membranes, helps muscles relax and slows
nerve transmission and the heart rate. Calcium helps prevent fluid loss from cells and from the
blood.
Calcium inhibits thyroid-releasing hormones and increases insulin secretion. It inhibits the
sympathetic nervous system. It is required for phosphorus metabolism and energy production in
the Krebs cycle.
Calcium is also important as a detoxifier, preventing the uptake of lead and cadmium. Blood
clotting and fat digestion depend on calcium. Calcium is extremely alkaline-forming and helps
maintain the pH balance of the blood.
Stability, hardness and physicality are qualities of calcium.
Symptoms Of Calcium Imbalance
Deficiency symptoms may include osteoporosis, rickets, non-union of fractures, tooth decay
and insomnia. Teeth, fingers and other bones may be misshapen. Posture can be poor and legs
bowed. Other symptoms are muscle cramps, irritability, hyperkinesis, hyperacidity, bruising, high
blood pressure, fight-or-flight reactions, fast oxidation, lead and cadmium toxicity, tetany and
cancer.
Calcium toxicity symptoms may include fatigue, depression, defensiveness, muscle
weakness, pain, arteriosclerosis, arthritis, kidney stones and gallstones. Additional symptoms
include bone spurs, rigidity, slow metabolism, constipation, social withdrawal and spondylitis
(rigidity and inflammation of the spine).
In many instances, calcium is biounavailable. This means it is present, but cannot be used
properly. This condition causes symptoms of deficiency and excess at the same time.
Dietary Sources Of Calcium
Excellent calcium foods include raw, certified milk, cheese and yogurt, sardines, caviar, cod
roe, gelatin, smelt and egg yolks. Soups made with bones such as a ham hock or veal joint broth
are also excellent sources.
The next best sources are kelp, brewer’s yeast and other sea vegetables. Other good
sources are almonds, sesame seeds, beans and filberts. Dark green vegetables such as kale,
collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, comfrey and carrots are also good.
Corn tortillas or corn chips prepared in the traditional way with lime are other good sources.
However, most corn chips do not contain lime and are not a good source of calcium. Neither is
corn bread or corn eaten as a vegetable.
Calcium Supplements
A great source of calcium kelp. It combines calcium with other minerals needed for calcium
utilization. Those with a hyperthyroid condition may have trouble with the iodine in kelp.
Other excellent supplements are calcium citrate, calcium chelate and calcium gluconate.
Bone meal used to be popular and is a superb supplement if it is not contaminated with lead.
Microcrystalline hydroxy apatite crystals (MCHC) is another excellent form of calcium. Other
forms are calcium lactate, orotate and aspartate.
Calcium carbonate, phosphate, dicalcium phosphate and tricalcium phosphate are not well
absorbed as the phosphorus binds tightly to the calcium. Calcium carbonate is common chalk. It
is extremely alkaline and found in Tums, other anti-acids and coral calcium. People who are too
acidic may benefit from it. Unfortunately, stomach acid is important for digestion and reducing it
too much interferes with digestion.
Many commercial calcium preparations in drug stores also contain lots of sugar. Some are
even sold like candies. These products will be less effective because sugar upsets calcium
metabolism. Usually the calcium is in the form of calcium carbonate, a poorly absorbed form. It is
best to avoid calcium carbonate, coral calcium and sugared calcium supplements.
Calcium And The Fight-or-flight Response
In the fight-or-flight response, the body excretes calcium in the urine. This causes the
muscles and nervous system to go into a state of alertness to respond to stress. Those who live in
a fight-or-flight pattern much of the time are continuously losing calcium in their urine. These
sympathetic dominant individuals overuse their sympathetic nervous system.
In the exhaustion stage of stress, calcium is lost into the tissues. Low tissue sodium and
potassium levels prevent calcium from remaining in an ionized or soluble form in the blood.
Instead, it precipitates and deposits in many body tissues including the joints, arteries, kidneys
and elsewhere. This is a cardinal sign of aging.
Calcium Synergists
Copper is required to fix calcium in the bones and helps raise the tissue calcium level. Many
people have biologically unavailable copper which causes their calcium problems. In fast
oxidizers, copper deficiency contributes to a calcium deficiency.
Iodine is required for thyroid activity. Low thyroid activity is associated with biounavailable
calcium and calcium deposition in the soft tissues. The best sources of iodine are fish and sea
vegetables like kelp or dulse. Iodized salt is not as good a source. Boron apparently improves
adrenal gland activity which makes copper more available. Boron is found in nuts, beans, leafy
greens and bone extracts.
Vitamins A and D are important for calcium utilization and are commonly deficient. Vitamin
D is only found in enriched milk, fish oils and from sun exposure. Vitamin A is only found in fish
oils and meats. Beta carotene must be converted to vitamin A. Low thyroid activity impairs the
conversion. Vitamin A should be recommended before beta carotene.
Magnesium helps keep calcium in solution. Sources of magnesium include nuts, seeds, kelp,
wheat bran, wheat germ, molasses and brewer’s yeast. Silica is another calcium synergist. It may
be transmuted into calcium according to Dr. Louis Kervan, author of Biological
Transmutations. Chlorine, hydrochloric acid in the stomach and adequate protein in the diet
are also required for calcium utilization.
Adequate adrenal hormone levels are also essential for proper calcium metabolism.
Infrared light is also extremely beneficial for calcium metabolism.
Calcium Antagonists
Sugar upsets the calcium/phosphorus ratio in the blood more than any other single factor,
according to researcher Dr. Melvin Page. It also stresses the adrenal glands and upsets the
hormone balance which affects calcium metabolism.
Lead and cadmium antagonize and replace calcium in the bones and elsewhere. Hidden
lead toxicity, for example, is an important cause of weak bones and osteoporosis. Tests for toxic
metals may not reveal it when it is deeply embedded within the bones. A hair analysis may reveal
it later as it comes out of the body through the hair and other routes.
Fluoride replaces calcium in the bones, causing them to become brittle and weak. Sources
are fluoridated tap water, some mineral waters, foods contaminated with fluorides from the soil
and foods processed with fluoridated water like reconstituted fruit juices and soda pop.
Excess phosphorus binds calcium and impairs its absorption from the intestines. Sources
are soda pop and diets very high in animal protein. Phytates found in high grain diets, soy and
other beans bind calcium preventing its absorption. Excessive oxalic acid found in spinach,
cranberries, rhubarb and tea can interfere with calcium utilization. Low stomach acid and low
protein diets impair calcium utilization.
Copyright © 2003
References
Page, M., Degeneration-Regeneration, 1949,1980.
Pfeiffer, C., Mental and Elemental Nutrients, Keats Publishing, 1975.
Price, W., Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, 1949, 1979.
Schroeder, H., The Trace Elements and Man, Devin-Adair Company, 1973.
The preceding statements have not been evaluated by the
Food and Drug Administration
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
