Re: Optimal Calcium Intake

[Guest guest]

I found this study in the Medical J. of Australia:

www.mja.com.au/public/issues/188_09_050508/letters_050508_fm-1.html

In summary, it says:

1- Calcium supplementation (CS) does not increase mortality,

2- One widely cited study (Bolland M, Barber P, Doughty R, et al.) indicated

that CS increased cardiovascular events, but after a more careful statistical

analysis the result turned out to be statistically non significant.

A glance at the papers available in google scholar shows that CS is a very

controversial subject. I am taking 400 mg per day and prevent calcium loss by

avoiding excess salt and caffeine.

Yagobet

---------------------------------

>

>

> Hi folks:

>

> Here is an issue we might benefit from discussing.

>

> There is an obvious need for calcium in the diet, whether from food or

> supplements. But it is far from clear to me what the optimal calcium

> intake might be. It is probably fair to say that all the metallic

> essential nutrients (calcium, sodium, iron, selenium, etc.) are harmful

> in excess, and that is certainly true of calcium, where calcification of

> the arteries is one risk of excessive intake.

>

> But the paper recently posted here as showing a dramatic reduction in

> new cases of cancer among post-menopausal females supplemented with

> vitamin D were also supplemented with a sizeable amount of calcium.

> Indeed, in that study there was a subject group that was supplemented

> with calcium only, and they too enjoyed a sizeable reduction in cancer

> diagnoses.

>

> So certainly it seems that we need more calcium than the average person

> is getting (otherwise those supplemented with it would not have had

> fewer cancer diagnoses). The subjects were given 1400 to 1500 mg of

> calcium daily. So their total calcium intake was probably around 2000

> mg.

>

> Can anyone here provide a good rationale for an optimal intake of this

> nutrient? I am currently supplementing 500 mg/day. I am thinking that

> this may be less than optimal.

>

> Rodney.

>

[Guest guest]

Rodney,

The calcium RDA is 1,000 milligrams daily for most adults, 1,300 milligrams for

teen-agers, and 1,200 milligrams for those over age 50.

After reading about the benefits of adequate intake of calcium and magnesium, I

started making my own mineral water:

http://www.scientificpsychic.com/health/mineral-water.html

The mineral content of the Calcium/Magnesium water recipe is similar to that of

European waters with moderate mineral content, such as San Pellegrino from

Italy.

Tony

>

>

> Hi folks:

>

> Here is an issue we might benefit from discussing.

>

> There is an obvious need for calcium in the diet, whether from food or

> supplements. But it is far from clear to me what the optimal calcium

> intake might be. It is probably fair to say that all the metallic

> essential nutrients (calcium, sodium, iron, selenium, etc.) are harmful

> in excess, and that is certainly true of calcium, where calcification of

> the arteries is one risk of excessive intake.

>

> But the paper recently posted here as showing a dramatic reduction in

> new cases of cancer among post-menopausal females supplemented with

> vitamin D were also supplemented with a sizeable amount of calcium.

> Indeed, in that study there was a subject group that was supplemented

> with calcium only, and they too enjoyed a sizeable reduction in cancer

> diagnoses.

>

> So certainly it seems that we need more calcium than the average person

> is getting (otherwise those supplemented with it would not have had

> fewer cancer diagnoses). The subjects were given 1400 to 1500 mg of

> calcium daily. So their total calcium intake was probably around 2000

> mg.

>

> Can anyone here provide a good rationale for an optimal intake of this

> nutrient? I am currently supplementing 500 mg/day. I am thinking that

> this may be less than optimal.

>

> Rodney.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Rodney,I look forward to the input of others on this point.May I ask if it is common to be getting about 500mg of calcium from food? That is my average [ and have been supplementing with 500mg.]Thank you,

LydiaOn Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 11:29 PM, Rodney <perspect1111@...> wrote:

Hi folks:

Here is an issue we might benefit from discussing.

There is an obvious need for calcium in the diet, whether from food or

supplements. But it is far from clear to me what the optimal calcium

intake might be. It is probably fair to say that all the metallic

essential nutrients (calcium, sodium, iron, selenium, etc.) are harmful

in excess, and that is certainly true of calcium, where calcification of

the arteries is one risk of excessive intake.

But the paper recently posted here as showing a dramatic reduction in

new cases of cancer among post-menopausal females supplemented with

vitamin D were also supplemented with a sizeable amount of calcium.

Indeed, in that study there was a subject group that was supplemented

with calcium only, and they too enjoyed a sizeable reduction in cancer

diagnoses.

So certainly it seems that we need more calcium than the average person

is getting (otherwise those supplemented with it would not have had

fewer cancer diagnoses). The subjects were given 1400 to 1500 mg of

calcium daily. So their total calcium intake was probably around 2000

mg.

Can anyone here provide a good rationale for an optimal intake of this

nutrient? I am currently supplementing 500 mg/day. I am thinking that

this may be less than optimal.

Rodney.

[Guest guest]

Hello Annie,

Calcium in the water is sometimes called " lime " . If you still have the analysis

report, look at it carefully. The most common minerals in well water are

calcium, magnesium and sodium.

If the analysis of your well water says that the calcium content is 200

milligrams per liter, you would get 200 milligrams of calcium in your diet if

you drink four glasses of water per day (as long as you don't use a water

softener). The calcium in your food is increased if you use the well water for

soups or coffee.

Tony

>

> I joined the group awhile back but haven't posted before. I've just

> been lurking and reading but I have been wanting to ask a question about

> my well water.

>

> I had the well water analyzed and they said it has a lot of lime in it.

> That wasn't a surprise as it quickly coats the sides and bottom of a

> kettle that has water boiled in it and makes deposits around the bases

> of faucets. They didn't find other minerals to any extent, just lime.

>

> Is lime the same as calcium to the body? Am I getting calcium by

> drinking the well water? My doctor wants me to take calcium supplements

> to prevent osteoporosis but I don't want to get too much calcium by

> getting it from the well water and from supplements too. I did ask my

> doctor but she said she didn't know the answer.

>

> Thanks,

> Annie

>

>

> From: " citpeks " <citpeks@...>

> Subject: [ ] Re: Optimal Calcium Intake

>

>

> Rodney,

>

> The calcium RDA is 1,000 milligrams daily for most adults, 1,300

> milligrams for teen-agers, and 1,200 milligrams for those over age 50.

>

> After reading about the benefits of adequate intake of calcium and

> magnesium, I started making my own mineral water:

> http://www.scientificpsychic.com/health/mineral-water.html

>

> The mineral content of the Calcium/Magnesium water recipe is similar to

> that of European waters with moderate mineral content, such as San

> Pellegrino from Italy.

>

> Tony

>