Bone Health - Review of Science Confirms that Calcium Slows Bone Loss in Osteoporosis By Jennifer Morganti, ND, Director of Education for NEEDS

Review of Science Confirms that Calcium Slows Bone Loss in Osteoporosis
By Jennifer Morganti, ND, Director of Education for NEEDS

Osteoporosis is a condition most frequently seen in postmenopausal women where bone density declines, leading to increased risk of fracture. Calcium and vitamin D are the two most effective nutrients to build bone density, and in the case of osteoporosis, they can help slow or even halt bone loss. In May 2009, the Osteoporosis International journal published a review article titled "The Effect of Calcium Supplementation on Bone Loss in 32 Controlled Trials in Postmenopausal Women." In these studies, the median calcium supplementation was 1,000 mg daily, per two-year average trial. Studies evaluated different bones for fracture risk, including spine, wrist, forearm, hip, and ankle. The general consensus was that calcium supplementation under 700 mg daily did not effectively slow bone loss and that for at least four years approximately 1,000 mg daily did prevent bone loss for postmenopausal women. All types of calcium were included in the research review, including carbonate, citrate, MCHC, and even calcium derived from milk. Many of the studies showed that calcium supplementation slowed the loss of bone in women with osteoporosis, but some actually showed a slight gain in bone growth.

One of the studies included in the review was from Japan, (by Dr. T. Fujita) and showed a significant increase in bone mineral density in the spine by supplementing with calcium hydroxide. This form of calcium can be found in AdvaCAL, by LaneLabs. Calcium hydroxide is created by a unique process, starting with oyster shell, which is then smelted at 800° C. Smelting changes the chemical structure to calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide. The super heating process also removes heavy metals, such as lead, naturally found in oyster shell. Finally, the calcium is blended with HAI™ (Heated Algal Ingredient). HAI is a patented amino acid complex from hijiki seaweed. Tiny amounts of HAI have been scientifically shown to boost calcium absorption.