After a hysterectomy 34 years ago, I took extra calcium for decades, recommended by a doctor to protect my bones. Then I developed PD and read that calcium may play a role in the development of Parkinson’s…
sciencedaily.com/releases/2...
Now I read that calcium can help maintain dopamine levels. (Ok, I know - assuming you’re a fruit fly!)
telegraphindia.com/science-...
So now I’m confused. Can anyone clarify whether we should be avoiding broccoli and milk or consuming more?
No idea abut calcium, Daphne but still laughing about being a fruit fly...
Blood plasma calcium levels are pretty tightly regulated:
uclahealth.org/endocrine-ce...
" the normal range for blood calcium level is 8.6 to 10.3 mg/dL."
Supplemental calcium may make a difference in the amount of calcium available for bone building etc. but would not be expected to make a significant change in calcium plasma levels.
In light of the foregoing, the Science Daily report regarding excess calcium inside of brain cells would be result of those cells absorbing excess calcium from the blood plasma. This would not be the caused by you taking a supplement.
With all that said, it is important to know that vitamin K (K1 and K2) is an essential cog in the biological machinery that gets calcium out of the bloodstream into the bones. If it is deficient, which is not uncommon, you can end up with the double whammy of hardening of the arteries and osteoporosis. For more details on this and other nutritional factors important for bone health see my writings at these places:
Vitamins and Minerals for Bone Health and Reduced Risk of Cancer
Vitamin K: Unsung and Essential
Details of the vitamins and minerals that improve bone strength, reduce fracture risk, prevent hardening of the arteries, improve cardiovascular outcomes, and reduce cancer risk.
What You Need to Know to Reduce Risk of Hip Fracture and Cardiovascular Disease
A review of the foregoing + calcium deposits on teeth as a sign of trouble.
Many thanks. Phew I’ve taken K2 for years!
Research is conflicting as to whether it is really K1 or K2 that does the heavy lifting. K1 is much more plentiful in the diet and is also included in multivitamins. To be on the safe side I take a combination K with both.
In my opinion Calcium and Magnesium are essential if you use b1, taken together in the evening with an acidifier also contribute to muscle relaxation and promote sleep. Here the best formula:
balancing magnesium and calcium pccmarkets.com/sound-consum...
Thanks. This article suggests I’m doing right, to supplement with magnesium but not calcium
I was also wondering if there was any research anywhere which shows that drinking milk or eating milk products such as cheese or yogurt has any deleterious effects on PD.
See park_bear 's reply.
I asked because I was trying to draw a distinction between ingesting normal (indeed, - necessary) amounts of calcium as are found in milk products and taking what he refers to as "supplemental calcium"
Laurie Mischley has studied diet and Parkinson's and has found associations between dairy consumption and worse Parkinson's. Association is not causation so these results are merely suggestive and not proof.
I personally have observed that consuming a lot of dairy does seem to aggravate my symptoms.
My personal experience. I am not calcium deficient, and because of worrying calcium may not be good for PD, I purposely stopped calcium supplements for 2 weeks, and I noticed that my PD symptoms are worse, i.e. hard to walk, hard to move, tremors, etc. so I resumed calcium supplements. Disregard the theory, I think we should listen to what our body has to say. I am currently taking 500 mg calcium supplements, along with 1000 IU vitamin D. Hope this helps.
I did not open links. I take stuff (mainly k2 as mk-7 and d3) that is supposed to help get to where it is needed and not accumulate in the plaques of veins, brain, etc. It would be nice if the stuff helped clear any existing accumulation.
Broken Bones or Osteoporosis?
What part does Calcium play in the treatment of Pd?
Co Enzyme Q10 & Alpha Lipoic Acid : good anti oxidants or not helpful bad ideas? Do they extend Healthspan or reduce inflammation? 
Would Adding 10,000 IU a day of D3 would be a good thing to complement my Niacin 250 mg a day? Maybe NOT
The Good and Bad
