Calcium/Magnesium metabolism

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In a message dated 12/1/99 5:45:02 PM !!!First Boot!!!, Ladrisczilla@...

writes:

<< Hi everyone,

We have probably already discussed this but here goes, what

vitamins/minerals

do you also need in addition to calcium and magnesium in order for the

calcium to be utilized correctly? Thank you, this question is for my mom.

Thanks >>

Hi and Everyone,

Achieving proper calcium/magnesium metabolism is a very complicated

matter. Solving this riddle is basically solving the disease of

osteoporosis. Hyperthyroidism involves a disturbance of the cal/mag

metabolism and this, I believe, is the reason for many of the physical

effects of hyperT. Calcium ions are involved in the heart contractions and

magnesium ions in the heart relaxation. In hyperT, magnesium seems deficient

so the heart goes into a rapid beating phase with atrial fibrillation. This

is the reason we've found that taking magnesium helps control the rapid

heartbeat.

In both hyperT and osteoporosis there is a lot more going on than just

supplying calcium and magnesium. You can take lots of these and still have

problems. There are other minerals and vitamins which need to be present for

proper cal/mag metabolism. With enough research, a person could probably

write a lengthy book about this one topic.

We know that vitamin D is very important, so sunshine and supplemental

vitamin D help. Vitamin C is also important, but too much C can interfere

with cal/mag metabolism. High acidity from excess vitamin C or other sources

causes decalcification. Vitamin K and vitamin E are necessary for bone

formation and also assists the production of estrogen which also assists bone

growth. Other vitamins listed as important are folic acid, B-12, and B-6.

Some minerals are important also. Copper increases the body's ability to

make new bone. Zinc is essential also, but excess zinc can cause

decalcification. Phosphorus is important, but too much of this can be

counterproductive. Boron has been found to increase bone growth and also

increase estrogen production. Silicon, Strontium, Flourine, and Manganese

are also essential for bone formation.

Cadmium (found especially in tobacco smoke) interferes with cal/mag

metabolism and is a leading cause of osteoporosis. Aluminum (found in tea)

also interferes with calcium metabolism.

The alkali minerals (left column of the Periodic Table) also affect

cal/mag metabolism. The minerals Lithium, Sodium, and Potassium regulate the

cellular pumps which move calcium, magnesium, and other minerals into and out

of the cells. A disturbance in the balance of these three minerals, or of

Rubidium and Cesium, can interfere with the transport of calcium and

magnesium into the cells. For example, the excessive use of table salt

(Sodium) will cause osteoporosis by upsetting this balance.

There are microtubules through the cell walls called calcium channels

which transport calcium into and out of cells. The balance of Sodium,

Potassium, and Lithium regulates this transport. There are drugs, known as

calcium channel blockers, which block the transport of calcium through these

channels. I haven't studied it, but these calcium channel blockers may

interfere with calcium metabolism and contribute to osteoporosis. For anyone

who is taking drugs it's a good idea to see if those drugs interfere with

cal/mag metabolism.

The parathyroid gland regulates calcium metabolism so any disturbance in

its functioning will have effects. Also, calcitonin is a hormone produced by

the thyroid gland and it controls certain aspects of calcium metabolism. I'm

not sure how much disruption of cal/mag metabolism is caused by the effects

of thyroid disease on calcitonin production. RAI or surgery obviously

disrupts the natural production of calcitonin by the thyroid gland, but there

is a nasal spray calcitonin (made from calcitonin taken from salmon) which is

sometimes used when the natural production is damaged.

This is a brief description of what I know about cal/mag metabolism. I'm

currently researching an ultratrace element which seems to be involved in

thyroid function and is reported to be one of the most powerful substances to

increase bone growth found to date. I'll report this information once I know

more, but it could be a very important missing link in the thyroid disease

and osteoporosis puzzle.