Guest Blog from Progressive: How to Meet Your Calcium Needs

How to Meet Your Calcium Needs
 

Calcium is one of the most abundant minerals in the human body, and one of the most crucial. Bone density and formation, blood circulation, healing, muscular contracts, energy production, vitality, brain function, nervous system – all of these functions depend upon it. Calcium requires constant replenishment from the foods we eat and the supplements we consume, so even the most carefully chosen diet often lacks sufficient amounts.
 

A contemporary lifestyle leaves many hurdles in the way of meeting your needs. For starters, the mineral content in our farmland soil continues to fall, which results in produce that contains a fraction of the calcium that it once did. We also ingest salt, sugar, alcohol, caffeine, fluoride, pop, prescription medications and an over abundance of acid forming foods. All of these factors contribute to the depletion and erosion of our calcium stores, within the context of a diet that fails to provide adequate calcium in the first place.
 

Osteoporosis is slowly marching its way towards epidemic levels. While this should be of obvious concern, low calcium intake has also been associated with high cholesterol, colon cancer, gum disease, acidosis, obesity, hypoparathyroidism, high blood pressure, strokes, and insomnia.

But it’s not all bad news. Virtually all of these concerns can be offset with some fairly simple dietary and lifestyle changes, along with the consumption of the right kind of calcium supplement taken at the right times.

Dietary Support

Calcium Rich Foods

Eating calcium rich foods is of course the right approach, but you should also consume plenty of alkaline foods. Fruits and vegetables help to balance ph levels. Dairy foods, as an example, are quite rich in calcium but are actually acid forming. This greatly reduces their potential benefit unless they are offset by the consumption of enough alkaline foods. Left unchecked, an over acidic environment constantly pulls calcium from storage and erodes away your bone mass.

Lifestyle Support

In regards to lifestyle changes, controlling your consumption of alcohol, minimizing your expose to stress, avoiding cigarette smoke and other air borne pollutants along with regular weight bearing exercise will all help to create a more calcium friendly environment.

Supplement Support

Like the majority of minerals, calcium is not easily absorbed, so the source and quality is of great importance. Age and gender are also important factors as men and women have unique calcium demands and experience very different hormonal challenges as they age. Finally, additional support is needed to overcome the challenges of a modern lifestyle and help prevent calcium loss. An effective calcium supplement must address all of these concerns – a “one size fits all” approach is no longer appropriate.

So what should one look for in a calcium supplement?

• Age and Gender Specific – Mineral and hormonal requirements differ between men and women and change with age.
• Divided Dose – Your body can only effectively absorb 500mg of calcium at a time, including what is found in your food.
• Organically Bound Calcium – Calcium bound to citrate, malate and fumurate absorb better than carbonate.
• Complementary Compounds - Zinc, copper, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and vitamin D₃ are needed to support optimal absorption.
• Cortisol Suppressors – Stress elevates cortisol levels, negatively impacting bone density.
• Homocysteine Lowering Nutrients – Elevated Homocysteine levels have been linked to an increased risk of bone fracture.
• Optimal Metabolic pH - Adding calcium to an acidic environment is like adding water to a cup with holes. Alkalizing nutrients that balance pH help “patch the leaks”.

Progressive Complete Calcium is a comprehensive and professionally formulated supplement that helps to work both offensively (providing the calcium you need) and defensively (protecting your existing calcium stores). With highly absorbable and alkaline calcium sources and age and gender specific formulations, Complete Calcium provides protection equal to none.
 

Try including a whey protein powder in your diet as well. It helps to increase osteoblast activity (the cells that rebuild bone) and reduce osteoclast activity (the cells that break down bone). A breakfast smoothie or post work out protein shake not only strengthens your muscles but also your bones.
 

While satisfying your body’s calcium demands may seem difficult, it doesn’t have to be. A well thought out dietary, lifestyle and supplement program will give you the support you need so you can live with strong bones.