Calcium Supplments a No-No?

A new analysis study done by researcher Ian Reid, MD, of New Zealand’s University of Aukland, found that women who are taking calcium supplements are increasing their risk of heart disease by 20-30%.

Dr. Reid told WebMD, “I think we need to seriously consider whether calcium supplementation is a good thing for most people, given that it is associated with a very small decrease in fracture risk." He went on to say, which we've been learning for years...“We encourage our patients to get their calcium from the foods they eat and not from supplements.”

To read the entire article on WebMD, click here.


Dr. Carol Watson, ND says "Doctors who study calcium now understand that the amount of calcium absorbed depends on its interaction with other dietary constituents. In other words, the absorbability of calcium is mainly determined by the presence of food constituents. One study (taken from a research article written by Robert Theil, Ph.D., N.D.) found that whole food calcium is 8.79 times more absorbed into the blood than calcium carbonate and 2.97 times more than calcium gluconate".

When you think of getting calcium from your food, remember dairy is not the best source. Dairy is acidifying, which can cause damage to your bones as your body attempts to rebalance it's pH by stealing alkalizing minerals -- like calcium found in your tissues and bones.
Plant foods are the best sources.

Here is a list of plant-based foods that are high in calcium:

* Almonds – 1 oz. (about 23 nuts) - 75 mg.
* Blackstrap Molasses – 1 T. – approximately 137 mg.
* Beans
o White beans 3/4 cup has 120 mg
o Navy beans 3/4 cup has 94 mg
o Black Turtle beans 3/4 cup has 75 mg
o Chickpeas 3/4 cup – 58 mg
o Tofu 150g – 350 mg
* Brazil Nuts – 2 oz. (about 12 nuts) - 90 mg.
* Broccoli – 2 cups boiled - 124 mg.
* Celery - 2 cups raw - 81 mg.
* Collard Greens - 1 cup boiled - 266 mg.
* Flax Seeds – 2 T. - 52 mg.
* Instant Oats - 1 packet – 165 mg
* Kale – 1 cup boiled - 94 mg.
* Kelp - 1 cup raw - 136 mg.
* Oranges - 1 medium - 52 mg.
* Papaya - 1 medium - 73 mg.
* Sesame Seeds – ¼ cup - 351 mg calcium.
* Spinach – 1 cup boiled - 245 mg.
* Swiss Chard – 1 cup boiled - 102 mg.
* Tahini(sesame seed butter) – 2 T. raw – 126 mg.