Benefits of Calcium and Magnesium

What’s up with Calcium? Why is it so important? For one thing, the human body just couldn’t survive without it, which is saying a lot!

Here are a few symptoms of calcium deficiency

• muscle cramping
• muscle twitching (tetany)
• menstrual cramps
• poor digestion
• injuries and sores that are slow to heal
• heartbeat irregularities
• bowel problems
• bone loss and porousnesss (including osteoporosis)
• sports injuries and cramping from exercise
• fevers (including those associated with the cold or flu)

NutriPlex Formulas’ CalMag Balance is a specially formulated supplement to provide calcium lactate (the least irritating form) in approximately a 4:1 ratio with magnesium. (Biochemical studies show that too much magnesium diminishes the body’s ability to absorb the calcium). For best assimilation, take on an empty stomach. CalMag Balance also contains broccoli for extra food calcium and other nutrients; mushrooms for vitamin D to help calcium uptake and slippery elm to help soothe the stomach in digestion.

Calcium is a very important mineral.
But many people take the wrong kind of calcium. We recommend calcium lactate because it is

• least irritating
• has a positive charge (as a molecule) so it is able to attach itself to other important minerals such as phosphorous (for bone health). In this way, the calcium can go where it is most needed in the body.

Calcium can, and does, prevent diseases.
Calcium is one of the most needed of all minerals in the body, and as we age, it becomes more and more important, especially for people ages 55 and older. Nowadays, given the poor quality of the modern diet that is filled with processed foods, chemicals and nonfoods, this rings true for the younger population as well. Among nutritional doctors, the need for calcium is no secret, yet the role of calcium is profoundly underestimated. When people think about calcium, they usually are thinking about bone health, but this is only a small part of the overall health picture.

Calcium plays an important role in:

• Cementing skin cells (desmosomes) together. A lack of calcium in the proper form may lead to skin eruptions such as cold & lip sores, so-called Herpes virus, mouth ulcers, etc.;
• Healing torn tissue from accidents, surgery, nutritional deficiencies and trauma to the body;
• Conducting nerve transmission throughout the entire body, including the heart and other vital organs;
• Musculoskeletal function, including muscle response, flexing and relaxation;
• Bone health and density;
• Fighting infection: calcium stimulates white blood cell response;
• Fighting fever: several biochemical researchers have reported that fevers may be caused by the body to release calcium from the bones;
• Tooth and gum health;
• Hormonal support
• High Blood Pressure
• Most types of illness

A recent medical report states, “Women may decrease their risk of developing colon and rectal cancer (colorectal cancer) by up to 45% by getting high amounts of calcium from diet and supplements.” (Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention (2005;14:126–32).

Contrary to what the dairy industry sells us on believing, unless raw, dairy products are not ideal sources of calcium especially because pasteurization destroys or alters the vitamin, fat, protein and enzyme content of milk and cheese. In addition, commercial brand dairy products contain antibiotics and other drugs, growth-stimulating hormones, pesticide residues and other toxins. Raw, certified grade A milk and cheese, on the other hand, are good (but hard to find) sources of calcium, as well as raw, organically grown dark, green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, and nuts such as almonds.

Depleting Calcium
There are many ways that our supplies of calcium are depleted or used up quickly, creating a greater need for calcium in our diets:

• Consumption of coffee, certain drugs, refined sugars;
• Stress (emotional, mental and physical)
• Trauma (injury, accidents, surgery, chemical exposure)
• Colds and flu and other illnesses
• Consumption of chemicals (food dyes, preservatives, pesticide residues, etc.). Eat organic when possible!