Calcium fortified foods etc

[Justme13]

Hello

Having read that calcium citrate is better than calcium carbonate for supplements, anyone have an opinion on the type of calcium added to food and drink?

Having bought soya/almond/ rice milk with added calcium, noticed that some use calcium carbonate, some have calcium phosphate and others just say ‘added calcium ‘.

Before I had OP, I was happy that calcium was added. Wondering whether to switch back to solely organic milk, to get the ‘right’ calcium.

Any comments please?

Thanks.

[PlanetaryKim]

My health food store (in Canada) says: we only absorb 10% of calcium in calcium carbonate, and only 20% of calcium in calcium ctirate, but can absorb 80% of calcium in product called AlgaeCal (obtained from hand-harvested living kelp). Calcium carbonate and citrate are made from crushed rock (limestone). There is a lot of buzz around AlgaeCal these days. Could be marketing hype or could be for real. I am taking AlgaeCal, but just at 1/3 the recommended dose. So I take a single 250 mg cap daily instead of the recommended 3 caps. It is more expensive than other types of calcium, but worth it if genuinely more absorbable.

[Justme13 in reply to PlanetaryKim]

Hi PlanetaryKim

Thanks so much for that info. Will check that out and see if it’s available n UK. Just want to get my calcium right. Read so much about too much, too little and the wrong kind.

[PlanetaryKim in reply to Justme13]

I too am worried about taking too much calcium as supplement, since some bone-building protocols say no calcium supplement at all - that calcium supplements worsen the problem by reducing magnesium, and that we already get all the calcium we need from food, what we need more of is magnesium. Yet it does make intuitive sense to also supplement with calcium since our bones are primarily calcium. That's why I am taking 1/3 the recommended dose of calcium - straddling the fence on the calcium issue. And also increasing my calcium-rich foods.

I think the important thing about taking calcium supplements safely is to make sure you are also taking K2, which will reputedly ensure that calcium gets directed to bones instead of depositing in tissues, arteries, organs and blood (where it can contribute to kidney stones).

So my current daily protocol (but I am modifying my routine all the time as I research and learn more) is:

* 250 mg calcium (AlgaeCal)

* 200 mg Magnesium bisgylcinate (the most absorbable form of Mg)

* 5000 IU D3

* 100 mcg K2

* 5 g collagen hydrolysate (most absorbable form of collagen)

* 1/4 tsp Camu C

* Greens Plus

The last 2 items go in my kefir smoothie daily. And the collagen dissolves nicely in coffee or tea with no added flavour.

[Justme13 in reply to PlanetaryKim]

Hi PlanetaryKim

Thanks for that info. At the moment I’m taking 2,000 iu in a mouth spray (don’t know if tablets better), and k2 (160mcg) at the same time.

Hope to get the Algaecal checked out in the next few days. Also Vit c.

Been busy with my other ‘condition ‘. Cancer, preventing recurrence.

Hoping I’m getting enough of the other minerals in my diet.

Still unsure re the type of calcium in fortified foods. I.e. almond, soya milk with added calcium (?), or calcium carbonate. Unclear on cows milk too. Sometimes alternate organic cows milk with soya.

[Jessie1234]

PlanetaryKim, I have just started a regime similar to you bar the collagen and the Camu C ( don't know what that is...calcium?) Just curious to know if you have any improvement in density? I'm awaiting results of genetic testing for haemochromatotis (iron overload) and then may take strontium.

[HeronNS]

Whatever kind of calcium you take, apparently eating a little yoghurt when you have your supplement (I recommend plain, organic if possible, and with some fat content) helps the body absorb calcium. Of course this is in addition to the D3 and K2 which we should all be taking anyway.

[MiaLee]

you could make stinging nettle and/or oatstraw infusions. 2 cups a day will give you about 1000 mg of calcium; more easily digested and absorbed than rock based calcium supplements because it is plant based. It also includes all of the other necessary minerals and vitamins for proper calcium absorption. It also has a good amount of iron. Really amazing herbs. You make an infusion by using 1 cup of the dried herbs in a quart jar, and pour boiling water over it to the top. Let steepovernight. That’s what I’m doing. You can buy bulk bags of the herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs , or from Botanic Universe, online. The herb is viable for 2-3 years, but of course it gets used up quicker than that. In the end, the herbs work out to be cheaper than supplements. Also, check out AlgaeCal online. A plant based supplement that has clinically proven results for improving bone density.

Google the herbs, and that AlgaeCal; you’ll be very impressed with them both Ithink.