| Boron | | | | deposition of calcium in bone. |
| Boron is needed in trace amounts for healthy bones | | | | Heavy exercising hinders calcium uptake, but |
| and muscle growth because it assists in the | | | | moderate exercise promotes it. Insufficient vitamin D |
| production of natural steroid compounds within the | | | | intake, or the ingestion of excessive amounts of |
| body. It is also necessary for the metabolism of | | | | phosphorus and magnesium, also hinders the uptake |
| calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. | | | | of calcium. |
| Boron enhances brain function, promotes alertness, | | | | If you are taking medication for osteoporosis, a |
| and plays a role in how the body utilizes energy from | | | | supplement containing vitamin D and calcium is |
| fats and sugars. Most people are not deficient in | | | | required to help the medicine work properly. Other |
| boron. However, elderly people usually benefit from | | | | types of prescription medicines, such as steroids and |
| taking a supplement of 2 to 3 milligrams daily because | | | | anticonvulsants (anti-seizure drugs), interfere with |
| they have greater problems with calcium absorption. | | | | bone metabolism, and taking supplemental calcium will |
| Boron deficiency accentuates vitamin D deficiency. | | | | help with that. |
| Boron helps to prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis | | | | If calcium is taken with iron, they bind together, |
| and build muscle. New research indicates that taking | | | | preventing the optimal absorption of both minerals. It |
| supplemental boron can shrink prostate tumor size, | | | | is therefore best to take calcium and iron at different |
| lower blood levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA, | | | | times. Too much calcium can interfere with the |
| a marker for prostate cancer), and may help prevent | | | | absorption of zinc, and excess zinc can interfere with |
| prostate cancer. Boron alleviates joint discomfort by | | | | calcium absorption (especially if calcium intake is low). |
| reducing levels of both COX-2 and LOX enzymes | | | | For most people, the best ratio between |
| (see ARTHRITIS in Part Two) and helps to preserve | | | | supplemental calcium and zinc is up to 2,500 milligrams |
| cognitive function. Studies have shown that in areas | | | | of calcium with 50 milligrams of zinc daily. A hair |
| of the world where the level of boron in the soil is | | | | analysis can determine the levels of these and other |
| low there are a greater number of people suffering | | | | minerals in the body. |
| from arthritis. A study conducted by the U.S. | | | | A diet that is high in protein, fat, and/or sugar |
| Department of Agriculture indicated that within eight | | | | affects calcium uptake. The average American diet |
| days of supplementing their daily diet with 3 milligrams | | | | of meats, re-fined grains, and soft drinks (which are |
| of boron, a test group of postmenopausal women | | | | high in phosphorus) leads to increased excretion of |
| lost 40 percent less calcium, one-third less | | | | calcium. Consuming alcoholic beverages, coffee, junk |
| magnesium, and slightly less phosphorus through their | | | | foods, excess salt, and/or white flour also leads to |
| urine than they had before beginning boron | | | | the loss of calcium by the body. A diet based on |
| supplementation. | | | | foods such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, |
| Boron is found naturally in apples, carrots, grapes, | | | | which contain significant amounts of calcium but lower |
| dark green leafy vegetables, raw nuts, pears, and | | | | amounts of phosphorus, is preferable. |
| whole grains. | | | | Oxalic acid (found in almonds, beet greens, cashews, |
| Do not take more than 3 to 6 milligrams of | | | | chard, cocoa, rhubarb, soybeans, and spinach) |
| supplemental boron daily unless it is prescribed by a | | | | interferes with calcium absorption by binding with it in |
| health care professional. Boron is toxic in high doses | | | | the intestines and producing insoluble salts that |
| (15 milligrams or more daily for adults, less for | | | | cannot be absorbed. The normal consumption of |
| children) but is not carcinogenic or mutagenic. | | | | foods containing oxalic acid should not pose a |
| Calcium | | | | problem, but overindulgence in these foods inhibits |
| Calcium is vital for the formation of strong bones and | | | | the absorption of calcium. Oxalic acid can also |
| teeth and for the maintenance of healthy gums. It is | | | | combine with calcium to form calcium-oxalate kidney |
| also important in the maintenance of a regular | | | | stones. Studies have shown, however, that taking |
| heartbeat and in the transmission of nerve impulses. | | | | magnesium and potassium supplements can prevent |
| Calcium lowers cholesterol levels and helps prevent | | | | the formation of this type of stone. |
| cardiovascular disease. It is needed for muscular | | | | Calcium supplements are more effective when taken |
| growth and contraction, and for the prevention of | | | | in smaller doses spread throughout the day and |
| muscle cramps. It may increase the rate of bone | | | | before bed-time.This mineral works less effectively |
| growth and bone mineral density in children. | | | | when taken in a single megadose. Most experts |
| This important mineral is also essential in blood clotting | | | | agree that no more than 500 milligrams should be |
| and helps prevent cancer. It may lower blood | | | | taken at one time, as this is the maximum amount |
| pressure and prevent bone loss associated with | | | | the body can absorb in one dose. However, because |
| osteoporosis as well. Calcium provides energy and | | | | calcium also promotes a sound sleep when taken at |
| participates in the protein structuring of RNA and | | | | night, and because a high-fiber diet can interfere with |
| DNA. It is also involved in the activation of several | | | | calcium absorption, some recommend taking a single |
| enzymes, including lipase, which breaks down fats for | | | | dose at bedtime. The National Academy of Sciences |
| utilization by the body. In addition, calcium maintains | | | | recommends an intake of at least 1,000 to 1,300 |
| proper cell membrane permeability, aids in | | | | milligrams of calcium per day, particularly for those |
| neuromuscular activity, helps to keep the skin | | | | who have or are at risk of developing osteoporosis. |
| healthy, and protects against the development of | | | | Because the body is more likely to absorb a higher |
| preeclampsia during pregnancy, the number one | | | | percentage of the calcium when taken in smaller |
| cause of maternal death. If high blood pressure | | | | doses, we recommend taking 1,500 to 2,000 |
| develops due to pregnancy, it can be reduced by | | | | milligrams in divided doses with food throughout the |
| calcium intake. | | | | day. |
| Calcium protects the bones and teeth from lead by | | | | Some vitamin companies use a compound called |
| inhibiting absorption of this toxic metal. If there is a | | | | DI-calcium phosphate in their products. This form of |
| calcium deficiency, lead can be absorbed by the body | | | | calcium is insoluble and interferes with the absorption |
| and deposited in the teeth and bones. | | | | of the nutrients in a multi-nutrient supplement. |
| Calcium deficiency can lead to the following problems: | | | | Antacids such as Turns are not recommended as a |
| aching joints, brittle nails, eczema, elevated blood | | | | source of calcium. While they do contain calcium, if |
| cholesterol, heart palpitations, hypertension (high | | | | taken in quantities sufficient to serve as a source of |
| blood pres-sure), insomnia, muscle cramps, | | | | this mineral, they would also neutralize the stomach |
| nervousness, numbness in the arms and/or legs, a | | | | acid needed for calcium absorption. Additionally, a |
| pasty complexion, rheumatoid arthritis, rickets, and | | | | significant percentage (estimates range from 20 to |
| tooth decay. Deficiencies of calcium are also | | | | 40 percent) of people over the age of sixty may |
| associated with cognitive impairment, convulsions, | | | | have a condition called atrophic gastritis. This is a |
| depression, delusions, and hyperactivity. | | | | chronic inflammation of the stomach, and it reduces |
| Calcium is found in dairy foods, salmon (with bones), | | | | the ability to break down the calcium carbonate |
| sardines, seafood, and dark green leafy vegetables. | | | | contained in Turns. |
| Food sources include almonds, asparagus, blackstrap | | | | Calcium Absorption Formula from A. Vogel |
| molasses, brewer's yeast, broccoli, buttermilk, | | | | Homeopathic is a sublingual calcium supplement that is |
| cabbage, carob, cheese, collards, dandelion greens, | | | | especially effective for growing children, older adults, |
| dulse, figs, filberts, goat's milk, kale, kelp, milk, | | | | pregnant women, and anyone who has difficulty |
| mustard greens, oats, prunes, sesame seeds, | | | | swallowing pills. |
| soybeans, tofu, turnip greens, watercress, whey, and | | | | Calcium may interfere with the effects of verapamil |
| yogurt. | | | | (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan), a calcium channel blocker |
| Herbs that contain calcium include alfalfa, burdock | | | | sometimes prescribed for heart problems and high |
| root, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, chicory, | | | | blood pressure. |
| dandelion, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, | | | | Calcium can also interfere with the effectiveness of |
| flaxseed, hops, horsetail, kelp, lemongrass, mullein, | | | | tetracycline, thyroid hormone, certain anticonvulsants, |
| nettle, oat straw, paprika, parsley, peppermint, | | | | and steroids. Consult your health care provider before |
| plantain, raspberry leaves, red clover, rose hips, | | | | taking supplemental calcium if you must take any of |
| shepherd's purse, violet leaves, yarrow, and yellow | | | | these drugs. |
| dock. | | | | Phenobarbital and diuretics may cause a deficiency of |
| The amino acid lysine is needed for calcium | | | | calcium. Although several major studies have shown |
| absorption. Food sources of lysine include cheese, | | | | that added calcium in the diet does not appear to |
| eggs, fish, lima beans, milk, potatoes, red meat, soy | | | | increase the risk for either a first or repeat attack of |
| products, and brewer's yeast. Lysine is also available | | | | kidney stones, persons with a history of kidney |
| in supplement form. | | | | stones or kidney disease should not take calcium |
| Female athletes and menopausal women need | | | | supplements except on the advice of a physician. |
| greater amounts of calcium than other women | | | | The maximum safe dosage of supplemental calcium is |
| because their estrogen levels are lower. Estrogen | | | | now placed at 2,500 milligrams per day. |
| protects the skeletal system by promoting the | | | | |