ca & si

Thank you Nesha-India, for clarify and adding in the continuation of this post.

As for your personal view on the time limit of the post, posting questions or replies are always open to all at any time. It is just that my personally my free time is very limited and I like to go through things systematically, and take advantage of my current free time.

The “time limit” is just for my sake to get through the post.

Out of respect for everyone, my initial “time limit” is designed to have questions engaged in the initial topics, not to prevent discussion.

So... if you have a question regarding anything I post please state which post and I will do my best to answer your question.

Anyone may ask questions, but do not get offend if I continue on wards, without answering your question.

I do have personal reasons for trying to cover this topic in somewhat of a rush but always love and welcome discussion.

Oh P.S. if you disagree with anything, don’t say you disagree. State why you disagree; remember discussion enlightens our minds and intellect, insults dulls our minds and intellect.

Look foward to our dicussion.

Dr. CommonSense

As promised I will be discussing why Silicea homoeopathically does help the absorption levels of Calcium.

However, I believe that covering the basic grounds of calcium (sources, absorption, biochemistry and hormonal involvement) are key towards understanding my explanation of why Silicea helps in Calcium absorption.

I have decided for the sake of time not only on my part but for everyone that I will be posting 3 series.

FIRST SERIES (1st SERIES) [broken down into 2 parts]:
PART 1 --> Calcium: Recommended Daily Intake, Its Absorption and Excretion
PART 2 --> Calcium: Factors Affecting Absorption

SECOND SERIES (2nd SERIES) [broken down into 2 parts]:
PART 1 --> Bone Physiology: Structural Integrity, Functional Aspects, Bone Remodeling & Plasticity
PART 2 --> Bone Biochemistry: Bone Calcium Mobilization and Bone Calcium Metabolism

THIRD SERIES (3rd SERIES)
PART 1 --> Silicea: Homoeopathic Look at Its Sphere Of Actions
PART 2 --> Silicea: How Calcium Absorption is Aided by Silicea

The reason for my post is not to prove if one is wrong or if one is right.

The whole point is to have a discussion to take accurate information and see how it is complied into a theory.

Medicine is mostly based not only on facts but also in theories, which are arrived through certain facts.

After ideas are put forth and discussed, there will always be those who agree and those who disagree (for example: some agree that homoeopathy works and some don't; some agree with the concept of vaccines regardless of the negative scientific date while some do not agree with the concept of vaccines).

I personally hope to get our minds thinking in a homoeopathic sense through the intertwining of science, medicine and homoeopathic totality.

For this is the only way I can see the field of homoeopathic medicine, become a field of respected medical science; is through its ability to use modern day knowledge with provings done historically; in short keeping true to its totality philosophy and medical knowledge as dictated by Dr. Sameul Hahnemann himself.

Thank you for those who have taken their time to read this post and its up coming discussion, I invite everyone to part take in this and hope to see some changes resulting from this (hopefully positive).

I am looking forward to our upcoming discussion and theorizing; not to mention disagreements based on ideas, thoughts and facts (not on emotions).

Respectfully yours,

Dr. CommenSense

As promised I will be posting my topics... hopefully, the interest still lies in this topic.

FIRST SERIES (1st Series – Part 1)

***The following is written in a strictly operational sense***

RECOMMENDED DAILY AMOUNT/INTAKE
We all agree that the intake of calcium intake will have an impact in absorption and excretion of calcium.

The average required daily amount (RDA) for calcium is 1000mg to 1500mg.

On average our body is able to absorb 25-30% of calcium. The remaining rest is eliminated mainly through the urine and feces. This means on average an American or Canadian will absorb 250mg (which is on average) and towards 525mg of calcium (let me first say that the average North American absorbs about 250mg to 325mg range).

So are we getting enough calcium in our diets? Yes typically North American are getting enough Calcium in their diets, now some may argue this and you may do so, nevertheless I find it hard to believe with the amount of food our North American population ingests and the variety for foods in our diet I assume that we are having enough Calcium in our diets. (This I’m sure many will disagree, but I agree to disagree in advance).

Since absorption levels vary in every one of us, it is safe to say that the RDA for calcium is an arbitrary average. For those of us using calcium supplements we usually end up paying for a lot of useless calcium supplements. Since most Americans (approximately 80%) have high levels of tissue calcium. Why perhaps due to excessive intake of calcium through supplement or dietary intake?


ABSORPTION
Calcium is absorbed as a divalent cation.

Since most dietary calcium is not ionic, and is insoluble at a neutral pH.

Nevertheless gastric acid solubilizes Ca salts and allow their absorption from the intestine.

Calcium absorption occurs in the proximal small intestine. It is here that the mixing of digestive juice (containing calcium in the proximal small intestine) and ingested calcium mix and is now able to absorb into the body.

However, as I mentioned not all of the calcium will be absorbed, commonly we refer the amount of calcium absorbed as “true absorbed calcium” (creative I know), can only occur if the mixing of ingested calcium, calcium in the small intestine and gastric juices occur.

Even with the “true absorbed calcium” in our body, the calcium is still incompletely absorbed and this will depend on several factors which regulate and affect the calcium.
So in short calcium is absorbed through our body, but with various factors. Regardless of the amount of intake our body is able to compensate for our variable intakes.

Here are how our bodies absorb calcium with various intakes:
Calcium Absorption in Low Intake of Calcium.
Absorption occurs through transcellular (active transport).

Calcium Absorption in High Intake of Calcium.
Absorption occurs through paracellular (simple diffusion).

Impact of Intestinal Malabsorption for Calcium Absorption
Obviously derangements


EXCRETION
Calcium is excreted through:
Kidney: excreted through the urine (high intake of calcium has been linked towards kidney stones & frequent urination has been linked towards bone disorders)
Stool: excreted through our fecal movements
Skin, Hair and Nails: nearly impossible to measure

So in short we do excrete calcium, we also loss calcium through excessive functions of our bodies (i.e. frequent urination).


FINISHED PART 1

Thanks you for reading this post and any questions or disagreements are always a pleasure to read and discuss.

To understand Ca absorption and Si is to understand Ca and to understand Si.

As per my outline I will be covering relating all of it together in the last post.

This way we take a step by step method and clear any air before we move forward.

I find that taking it step by step helps make ideas clearer and reduces confusion along the way.

A long process but so is drug provings :-).

I will be tying in my points to tell you my reasoning for Ca & Si absorption.

Respectfully,

Dr. CommenSense

P.S. please refer to my outline if you just want to pop back on specific dates.

FIRST SERIES (1st Series – Part 2)

Today, I will be posting on Calcium: Factors Affecting Absorption. In this post the following will be covered:

1. Intro To Factors Affecting Absorption
2. Factors Affecting Absorption
3. Factors Affecting The Rate of Absorption
4. Factors Affecting Calcium Transport
5. Dietary Sources
a. Sources needed in aiding Calcium Absorption
b. Poor Sources of Calcium
6. Magnesium & Calcium
7. Silica & Calcium
8. Why Supplementation isn’t the solution.

I hope this will perhaps give you information you may have not known before and if there is any questions; ask away… since there wasn’t last time, I’m assuming that we agree on the post.

Sincerely,

Dr. CommenSense

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INTRO TO FACTORS AFFECTING ABSORPTION
Calcium is incompletely absorbed; nevertheless the absorption is regulated, depending on body stores of calcium ions.

It there is a positive balance of calcium, intestinal absorption is reduced and if there is a negative balance of calcium increased absorption occurs.

Calcium absorption is dependent on magnesium, phosphorous and vitamins A, C and D. Without these nutrients the absorption of calcium are affect drastically.

Apart from the usual touted 1000mg to 1500mg of Calcium to be ingested on a daily basis, there is an interesting striking feature in our bodies.

Even when we have low or high intake of calcium absorption our body is able to compensate. This compensation occurs in the absorption of calcium and excretion.

Excessive Iron, Zinc, Phosphorous or fat hinder calcium uptake.


FACTORS AFFECTING CALCIUM ABSORPTION
The following affect the rate of calcium absorption:
1. Plasma Ca concentrations
2. Parathyroid hormones
3. Calcitonin (Thyroid gland)
4. Vitamin D (liver)
5. Reproductive status (absorption more rapid in pregnancies)
6. Sex Hormones
7. Dietary calcium or phosphorous: low levels of either will stimulate the rate of intestinal Ca absorption probably by stimulating parathyroid hormone.
8. Bioavailability: dietary factors (high fat intakes, avoiding foods due to dietary or religious beliefs can impact calcium intake, etc)
9. Degree of Physical activity
10. Age-associated structural changes:
a. Intestinal Mucosa
b. Estrogen
c. Low Vitamin D
d. Vitamin-D resistance in aging small intestines

Specific Glands/Organs Affecting Calcium
1. Thyroid: Secretion of calcitonin lowers the levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood and promotes the formation of bone by inhibiting osteoclasts (the cells that decrease bone density and stimulating osteoblsasts (the cells that build new bones).
2. Parathyroid: Secretes parathyroidin also known as PTH, which acts as the banker for the calcium in the blood. It stimulates the action of withdrawals and deposits, regulating calcium in the body as needed.
3. Kidneys: Blood calcium regulating mechanisms, directed by hormones.
4. Intestine: The site of absorption for calcium via diet, gastric acid, calcium already found in the small intestine and hormones.


FACTORS AFFECTING CALCIUM TRANSPORT
Calcium transport appears to be stimulated by:
1. Growth hormones
2. Insulin
3. Gastrin
4. Parathyroid hormone

Calcium transport appears to be inhibited by:
1. Cortisol
2. Thyroxine
3. Glucagon
4. Somatostatin


DIETARY SOURCES
Sources Needed In Aiding Calcium Absorption

Sources needed to help in the assimilation of Calcium => Boron, Essential Fatty acids, lysine, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, vitamins A, C D and F

Other factors need to help in absorption are: amino acid lysine, which is needed for calcium absorption. This includes cheese, eggs, fish, lima beans, milk, potatoes, red meat, soy products, and yeast.

Poor Dietary Sources of Calcium Absorption

Despite all the attention to the quantity of calcium very little is talked about the quality (i.e. the types of calcium best used for your body) and absorption of calcium (how to help increase your bodies ability to absorb calcium).

Sources where calcium is in the insoluble form in the gastrointestinal tract are Phytates which are present in many cereals, nuts, seeds and legumes. So if you’re counting on these sources, you’re not getting enough calcium.

Oxalic acid (almonds, bet greens, cashews, chard, coca, kale, rhubarb, soybeans and spinach) interferes with calcium absorption by binding with calcium in the intestines and producing insoluble salt that cannot be absorbed. However, causal composition of these foods do not typically cause a problem only in over consumption.

An excess of any kind of high-protein foods causes the body to become saturated with uric acid, which significantly weakens all its functions, especially that of the kidneys.
Urea a product of excess plant or animal protein consumption leaches calcium form the body through its diuretic action.

(CONSIDER THIS SIDENOTE: Human Milk & Cows Milk difference in Ca ratio)
Human milk has a high concentration of high calcium-phosphate ration of 2.2. in human milk compared with cows milk which has a ratio of 0.77.

This is potentially can explain the higher absorption of calcium in human milk compared to cows’ milk.


MAGNESIUM AND CALCIUM
We all are aware of vitamin-D and its role in calcium, but how important is Magnesium in the role of Calcium absorption?

A study done in “International Clinical Nutrition Review” had reviewed the role of magnesium in calcium absorption. The study “Is magnesium the grossly negelatected mineral?” had taken a group of individuals.

The group had been supplemented with vitamin D and calcium but with held from magnesium supplement. Once this group had magnesium reintroduced into their diets the groups calcium levels rose dramatically.

Magnesium and Hormones
Calcitonin, production is stimulated by Magnesium and therefore increases the calcium in the bones while drawing it out of the soft tissues.


SILICA AND CALCIUM

Silicon, is found in all plant fiber as silica (SiO2), is essential for efficient calcium utilization and for increasing bone strength.

Silicon Food Sources
Grains, vegetables, legumes and fruit are normally the source for silicon. Other sources are lettuce, buckwheat, oats, strawberries, cucumber, apricots and carrots.


WHY SUPPLEMENTATION ISN”T THE SOLUTION:

Excessive supplementation can result in loss of other minerals in the body especially iron zinc and manganese.

Calcium supplements currently are made from oyster shell. Currently individuals consume oyster shell calcium supplements in hope of having a higher intake of calcium.

In ancient Chinese medicine, the ingestion of oyster shell was not done to maintain bone mass, but instead to be used as a sedative and cooling value. In fact, Calcium carbonate, is not a great source for the bone, Calcium phosphate is the best source for the human body.

In vertebrate skeleton (i.e. humans) calcium phosphate is the main source Calcium salt for the human body. While calcium carbonate is generally found in primitive exoskeleton (i.e. shells).

So why are we using calcium carbonate? I assume because the source is easy to get and manufacture. Along with this most companies who produce calcium supplements now are toting their horns by saying: “Calcium & Vit-D”.

Several vitamin companies use D1-calcium-phosphate in their products, but do not list it on the label. This form of calcium is insoluble and interferes with the absorption of nutrients in a multi-nutrient supplement.

There are different Vitamin D and this particular match is a poor match for absorption.

(CONSIDER THIS SIDENOTE: Tums and Ca)

Many of us who live in Canada/USA see Tums commercials, this commercials now promotes the product saying it has calcium in it so, now it not only takes care of your indigestion (through suppressive methods) but also is a source for Calcium intake now.

So what is with Tums and calcium: while they do contain calcium they are insufficient source to replace or to be source of calcium for your body to benefit.

In fact you would need to take enough Tums to neutralize the stomach acid needed to get the calcium absorption (which you do not want to do).
Thank you everyone; just to have one last interesting fact, I always tell people in my lectures and when I treat patients.


INTRESTING TIDE BITE ON CALCIUM AND MENSES:
Calcium and Zinc levels decrease prior to menstruation cycle a week prior: could result in symptoms produced of PMS (fatigue, pain) resulting in a hormonal imbalance.


DONE

Thank you, for reading this post; should anyone have any questions and/or disagreements please post them up.

As promised please find my post on bone physiology.

I have to delay my post of the third series, as my ‘wifey’ has surprised me with a vacation I was not expecting and will be away on a real vacation for a period of 2 weeks.

So my apologies, I will however post them once I get back.

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BONE PHYSIOLOGY – STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY
Structural integrity occurs from calcium salts. The 3 main calcium salts involved in structural integrity are; calcium chloride, calcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite.


BONE PHYSIOLOGY – FUNCTIONAL ASPECTS
Calcium ions generally have a immensely wide range of functions, varying from intracellular and extracellular functions.

These wide ranges of biochemical activities can part take in:
1. Neuromuscular excitation
2. Blood coagulation
3. Membrane dynamics
4. Second messenger – single transduction

However calcium ions have a variety of factors that can affect their role in bone physiology.

This will be covered vaguely in this post and in increased depth for later posts.

BONE REMODELING
Bone remodeling occurs throughout a human’s life time. This is due to one simple fact: “remodeling is necessary both to maintain the structural integrity of the skeleton and to sub-serve its metabolic functions as a storehouse of calcium and phosphates” (Clinical Chemistry 45:8, 1353).

The cycle of bone remodeling is a complex cycle that is highly regulated. To simply this complex concept and in-depth information I have chosen the main key points.

There is an “activation phase”, “reversal phase” and “formation phase”. Both of which are important in bone remodeling.

Activation Phase (5 simplified steps)
1. This involves the interaction of osteoclasts and osteoblast precursor cells.
2. In this phase differentiation and migration as well as the fusion of osteoclasts occur.
3. The osteoclasts attach to the mineralized bone surfaces and initiate resorption by secreting hydrogen ions and lysosomal enzymes, which can potentially lead towards degradation of the bone matrix, including collagen (in low pH).
4. After this occurs the enzymes released exposes/uncovers a mineralized surface.
5. This is where the osteoclasts are now able to remove parts of the bones (leading towards the reversal phase”.
Reversal Phase (1 major simplified step)
1. This is where mono-nuclear cells, further degrade the collagen and deposit a ‘cement lining’ and release of growth factors are initiated during the formation phase.
Formation Phase (3 major simplified step)
1. The cavity created in resorption is normally completely filled in by successive layers.
2. Osteoblasts fill in this layer.
3. Differentiation occurs with precursor cells and deposit of mineralizable matrix occurs.

BONE REMODELING AND PLASTICITY
Bone is continuously remodel throughout. As described above and are under influence of PTH (pitutatiary thyroid hormone), vitamin-D, estrogen, glucocorticoids, growth hormones, thyroid hormone and other factors (cytokines) etc.


DONE

The next post will cover the factors involved in bone remolding and specifically focusing on the role of calcium and what influences calcium in remolding