Supplementation with calcium and Vitamin D is routinely recommended to prevent osteoporosis and bone fractures in postmenopausal women. Taking calcium increases calcium in the blood, making more available for uptake into the bone. With normal aging, there is a decrease in calcium absorption by the stomach. Vitamin D is known to increase calcium absorption in the gut, as well as acting synergistically with calcium to promote bone density. This has led to the common practice of prescribing calcium and Vitamin D supplementation for the prevention of hip fractures. It sounds so good and all makes logical sense, and it can’t hurt, so why not go ahead and do it?

However, just because you become deficient in something with aging, doesn’t mean that supplementation will correct the problem. Studies have shown that calcium and vitamin D supplementation in people over age 65 increased total bone density, but not necessarily in areas that matter, like the femoral neck, which causes hip fracture. The only studies which showed that calcium and Vitamin D prevented hip fractures were done in French women who had osteoporosis and were living in nursing homes. However these women may have calcium and/or Vitamin D deficiency due to diet or lack of sunlight from being in a nursing home.

Other studies in individuals outside nursing homes found no beneficial effects from Vitamin D and calcium supplementation in terms of hip fracture prevention. One study of patients who had a fracture and became immobile did not find any benefit of Vitamin D and calcium in the prevention of secondary fractures. The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study included 36,282 premenopausal women age 50 to 79 who were randomly assigned to receive 1000 mg of calcium with 400 IU of Vitamin D-3 or placebo with a follow-up of 7 years for assessment of bone fracture. Supplementation did not reduce the risk of hip fracture. Although there was an increase in hip bone density, there was also an increase in kidney stones. Since increasing hipbone density has no practical benefit and is not related to reducing the risk of hip fracture, while increasing kidney stones is definitely negative, there is no reason to take these supplements.

Bottom line? Take a walk in the sun, and eat a balanced diet with lots of greens and vegetables to get your calcium fix.

By: Doug Bremner

Calcium glycinate like other compounds is used in making good-quality and effective calcium supplements. In addition to assisting in overcoming calcium deficiency in the body, there are some other health benefits of calcium glycinate as well. Let’s explore what these benefits are.

First of all, people who have used calcium glycinate supplements have reported back a significant improvement in their bone health. It is a compound which facilitates calcium absorption along with vitamin D and phosphorus, and therefore calcium deficient people are at a reduced risk of developing kidney stones and colon cancer.

One of the health benefits if calcium glycinate is that it is many times more soluble in water than other calcium salts. Hence its bioavailability rate is nearly as good as calcium carbonate or coral calcium. The tablets made with calcium glycinate are easily digested, and therefore can be used by people of all ages. Doctors normally recommend taking one tablet after each meal everyday for the treatment and prevention of calcium deficiency and the conditions associated with it.

Some other health benefits of calcium glycinate include better performance of adrenal glands, prevention of many types of cancers, prevention of bone disease and assistance in weight loss. People who have used these supplements have also reported back a slight decline in their blood pressure, and therefore calcium glycinate can also be used by people who have high blood pressure, hypertension and obesity.

With a wide range of calcium supplements now available online for purchase, it is recommended that you do a little research of your own before buying a particular brand. Although many of these supplements have found to be harmless and have absolutely no side effects of their own, it’s always better to be on the safe side.

Calcium citrate, calcium carbonate, coral calcium harvested from the island of Okinawa in Japan, calcium glycinate, calcium phosphate and calcium orotate are all reliable salts from which calcium supplements are being made. Before starting the course of a supplement product, carefully read the instructions on the bottle and also note down all the ingredients and find out about their effectiveness.

It’s always good to consult a doctor before consuming calcium or any other mineral tablets. Pregnant and lactating women are advised to obtain maximum of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin D, vitamin E and all other nutrients from diet and if they feel the need to try dietary supplements they should ask their doctor first.

By: John Gibb