about calcium

[mtns]

I sometimes get a little worried about calcium intake, especially with my 15 year old daughter. We do eat spinach and romaine lettuce almost daily and she is on high raw, though not totally raw. Anyway she has broken her arm 3 times in her life just from falling and landing the wrong way. She just broke her arm the other day slipping on a wet slide and landing on her arm. Anyway, I get a little worried that maybe she isn't getting enough calcium. I know the last time she had a broken bone though it healed faster than she thought because of the new bone growth. Should I give her supplements?
Kathy

[sport]

You should also make sure that she has lots of weight bearing exercise. Now is the time for her to build the bone.

[Rawkinlocs]

Take a look at this: http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2181&highlight=calcium

[Arky]

All of the threads below have something to offer on the topic, although they may not, at first glance, appear to be relevant, so please take the time to read through them:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5127

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5389

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5540

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8804

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10723

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9538

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13678


Please bear in mind the importance of consuming silicon-rich foods. Bones do not rely as exclusively upon dietary calcium as many people believe. The body's apparent ability to utilise other minerals to build bone, through what Kervran termed 'Transmutation', is a fascinating, and poorly-understood element of the equation. Decades after his research, the premise remains highly contentious but also highly relevant. I have to thank David Wolfe for opening up this avenue of interest to me.

Wild nettles are a superb source of silicon and a host of other minerals, and are very easy to find in woodlands and parks:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5174

You should also consider using Horsetail tea (ensure you simmer it for a minimum of 10 minutes prior to consumption), as it is another excellent source of silicon.

Many people, even those on a raw food diet, are deficient in minerals. Consuming green smoothies and fresh vegetable juices (including lots of celery for it's alkalinising sodium with which the body can buffer acidic elements) is a very good way to assist the body in maintaining adequate levels of these critically-important mineral salts. Dr Norman Walker was a strong proponent of this approach.


Lastly, I urge you to examine negative (leeching) aspects of the equation, rather than just the positive (nutrients) side.

Does your daughter consume an excessive quantity of fruit, relative to greens intake? As Mike Nash notes, in his excellent book 'Aggressive Health' (I highly recommend this book!), Arnold Ehret ate too much fruit and died after falling backwards - his skull was apparently extremely weak from consuming excessive fruit with inadequate mineral-rich greens. Generally-speaking, fruits protect and cleanse, and greens protect, supply minerals, and generally build the body - the absolute importance of high greens intake should never be underestimated. They are not beneficial - they are essential, and in good quantities (at least a pound a day).

Does your daughter consume many acidic substances (soda is enemy number 1 here - it's levels of phosphoric acid border on criminal), or those that bind calcium and other minerals, thus reducing their bioavailability in the gut (e.g. beans, coffee)?


J.

[jaurequi]

mtns,

Recent studies have indicated that Vitamin D intake is more important and more necessary than previous recommendations for calcium to be absorbed. We do not need so much calcium in supplemental form; we need whole food sources and supplements only if there is a reason. Vitamin D recommendations per Dr.Fuhrman for adults is 800 IU per day, if you're not getting it via sunshine every day; For children 200 - 400 IU (if not getting sunshine). This balance is very important for each individual because excess of either can cause problems (again, referring to supplements; not food sources of calcium or sunshine).

It is very important to take supplements, though, if you're not getting the sunshine.

Also, Vitamin A in any supplemental form is unadvisable, as it has recently been found to also interfere with calcium and contributes to osteoporosis. Of course from whole foods, it is beneficial.

Best,

[Arky]

mtns

Also, Vitamin A in any supplemental form is unadvisable, as it has recently been found to also interfere with calcium and contributes to osteoporosis. Of course from whole foods, it is beneficial.

Best,


Right on - the body simply converts whatever vitamin A it needs, from beta carotene in greens and orange fruits and vegetables etc. Hence, virtually zero danger of overdosing on vitamin A from wholefood sources. Nature, as usual, is invariably right and looks after those who adhere to her simple rules :)


J.

[Lunar*Fey]

I'm a fifteen year old girl as well. I lost a lot of bone density when I lost weight due to depression (which later became an eating disorder). So now I need to re-build my bones before it's too late.
I posted something about it here:
http://rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14679
I don't know if it would be of any help to you.
I've been craving dried figs like crazy, and then I found out that figs are a source of calcium. I'm guessing my body was telling me it needed calcium :) Too bad we don't have any dried figs! :( Anyway, I have been having a lot of green smoothies and am planning on trying sesame milk once I have a sweetener. Today I just blended up the seeds a bit and spread it on celery with a few raisins on top and it was good. People have provieded you with a lot of good information so there isn't really any I can give, just wanted to relate :)

[mtns]

Thanks for your help. We found out that she didn't really break her arm. one doctor thought she did and the other one and the radiologists said she didn't and that it was a bad sprain. I am glad about that. We do drink green smoothie and eat a big romaine salad everynight. So I know she is getting calcium through those. I will try your other suggestions.Thankyou all so much.
Kathy

[robertandenith]

That's great, glad she didn't break the bone :) If you are really concern, maybe she could lay out in the sun for a few minutes in a daily basis for Vit D production. I always try to do this everyday unless is raining. Even if it's not so sunny :) I love the morning walks too around my block with my dog, it's so relaxing as well.

hugs!