What You Need to Know About Bone Health

Thanks to:  www.askthescientists.com

Recent trends in dietary consumption have shown a shift in the past several years towards increased calcium consumption, however overall calcium consumption still falls short of recommended dietary amounts. Additionally, magnesium consumption and vitamin D levels continue to remain low. USANA MagneCal D was created by USANA to address this need.

USANA® MagneCal D™ is an excellent complement to Core Minerals in the USANA CellSentials. Specifically designed to help support a healthy skeletal system as part of a balanced and healthful diet, it helps adults ensure they are getting optimal amounts of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D every day.

Calcium Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. It is needed for strength and structure of teeth and bones, blood clotting, nerve function, muscle contraction and relaxation, enzyme regulation, and membrane permeability.

Most of the calcium in the human body is found in teeth and bones. This amount is continually in flux, with various amounts being deposited and resorbed. Later in life, more calcium is reabsorbed than is replaced, leading to bone loss and potentially to osteoporosis if calcium intake is inadequate (or has been inadequate in the past).

Good sources of calcium are broccoli, legumes, fortified orange juice, dairy products, and fish. Many dairy products are also fortified with vitamin D, which plays an important role in calcium absorption.
The recommended dietary allowance of calcium for adults ages 19 to 50 is 1000 mg/day. Pregnant or lactating women and adults over 50 should get 1200 mg/day. Adverse effects of calcium in normal adults have been observed only with chronic intakes above 2500 mg/day.

MagneCal D contains a blend of calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. The absorption and utilization of calcium carbonate and calcium citrate are bioequivalent when taken with food and adequate vitamin D. Calcium carbonate contains more calcium (by weight) than calcium citrate. By adding calcium carbonate to USANA formulas, we can make the tablets smaller while still maintaining a good amount of elemental calcium. Thus, to reach a more advanced amount of elemental calcium without significantly increasing tablet size, a mixture of citrate and carbonate is used.

Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral for many fundamental processes in the body. It normally exists in the body as a charged particle (or ion) and is primarily stored in bones. Inadequate blood magnesium levels are known to negatively affect blood calcium levels, reduce parathyroid hormone (PTH) action, and increase resistance to some of the effects of vitamin D.  

Magnesium is a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems that control various natural reactions in the body, including; supporting mitochondrial integrity and the production of cellular energy; protein synthesis, DNA, RNA, and supporting proper glutathione production. Magnesium also plays a critical role in supporting normal nerve transmission, neuromuscular conduction, muscular contraction, and healthy glucose metabolism. 

Many of these benefits contribute to magnesium’s support for cardiovascular health. Research has also shown that magnesium can help support arterial elasticity, which is important for maintaining the artery’s ability to expand and contract to maintain normal blood flow in healthy people.

Food dietary sources of magnesium include spinach, legumes, nuts, and grains. Excessive intake can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, but no adverse effect has been seen for long-term consumption of amounts less than or equal to 700 mg/d.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D supports the development and maintenance of bones and teeth by helping in the absorption and use of calcium. Adequate calcium and vitamin D throughout life, as part of a well-balanced diet, may reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Vitamin D promotes a healthy, balanced immune system through its key role in regulation and differentiation of immune system cells. It has been linked to healthy endothelial function, which is important for cardiovascular health. And, it alsohelps maintain normal functioning of the nervous system.

Every time we expose our bare skin to direct sunlight, we use ultraviolet B (UVB) rays to produce vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). There is a very small amount of vitamin D in a few foods, which makes it almost impossible to get the levels you need from food alone. However, some foods that include vitamin D are fatty fish, egg yolks, orange juice, and some cereals.

Boron and Silicon

MagneCal D also contains boron and silicon, which are known to play a role in supporting a healthy skeletal system. In bone, silicon is localized in the active growth areas where it is thought to promote growth and hasten mineralization. Boron may play a role in the maintenance of bone by reducing calcium excretion and increasing deposition of calcium in the bone.

Vitamin K

The ratio and forms of calcium and magnesium used in MagneCal D adversely affects the stability of vitamin K in this formulation. USANA is very particular about quality and providing products that contain what they claim on the label. Because of the stability issues and USANA’s commitment to quality, USANA has decided not to include vitamin K in MagneCal D.

It is our intent to include vitamin K in the Magnecal D, but only when we are able to confidently ensure that it is stable and will provide the benefit that is expected from a quality product. We are continuing research on this product and testing new formulations that do include vitamin K. However, it can take as long as two years to fully assess stability, and vitamin K will not be included until it is fully stable.

For now, the vitamin K dosages in the CellSentials have increased significantly and there is vitamin K2 in the U.S. Vitamin D product as well.

• *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Additional Resources

Calcium Supplements and Heart Health
Calcium Supplements May Help Reduce the Risk of Bone Fractures, but Only if you Take Them Consistently!
Magnesium and Bone Health
Vitamin D Supplementation Helps Slow Age-Related Bone Loss in Older Women

References

• Anderson JJ, Kruszka B, Delaney JA et al. Calcium Intake From Diet and Supplements and the Risk of Coronary Artery Calcification and its Progression Among Older Adults: 10‐Year Follow‐up of the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). J Am Heart Assoc. 5(10):e003815-. 2016.
• Aydin H, Deyneli O, Yavuz D. Short-term oral magnesium supplementation suppresses bone turnover in postmenopausal osteoporotic women. Biological trace element research. 133(2):136-43. 2010.
• Castiglioni S, Cazzaniga A, Albisetti W, Maier J. Magnesium and Osteoporosis: Current State of Knowledge and Future Research Directions. Nutrients. 5(8):3022-3033. 2013.
• Dietrich T, et al. Association between serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and periodontal disease in the US population. Am J Clin Nutr 80(1):108-13.
• Lambert HL, Eastell R, Karnik K, Russell JM, Barker ME. Calcium supplementation and bone mineral accretion in adolescent girls: an 18-mo randomized controlled trial with 2-y follow-up. The American journal of clinical nutrition. 87(2):455-62. 2008.
• Matchar DB, Chei CL, Yin ZX, et al. Vitamin D Levels and the Risk of Cognitive Decline in Chinese Elderly People: the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2016;71(10):1363-8.
• Prince RL, Devine A, Dhaliwal SS, Dick IM. Effects of calcium supplementation on clinical fracture and bone structure: results of a 5-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in elderly women. Archives of internal medicine. 166(8):869-75. 2006.
• Villegas R, Gao YT, Dai Q. Dietary calcium and magnesium intakes and the risk of type 2 diabetes: the Shanghai Women’s Health Study. The American journal of clinical nutrition. 89(4):1059-67. 2009.
• Von hurst PR, Stonehouse W, Kruger MC, Coad J. Vitamin D supplementation suppresses age-induced bone turnover in older women who are vitamin D deficient. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2010;121(1-2):293-6.
• Zhang FF, Driban JB, Lo GH, et al. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with progression of knee osteoarthritis. J Nutr. 2014;144(12):2002-8.

How to Fortify Your Bone Density to Avoid #Osteoporosis

Originally posted June 4, 2014

Why do we assume that our bones are healthy and strong?  I’ve thought that for years.  I’ve never had a fracture or anything that signals that my bones are losing their density, or becoming more porous.  That’s because it doesn’t actually hurt when your bones get weaker.  It’s a “Silent” disease.

I had a wake-up call over the past few years when I took a bone density test and realized I was on the very low side.  How could that be?  I exercised regularly under the supervision of a personal trainer, so weight training was a major part of the session.  I also drank milk, and ate salads regularly and I even ate broccoli fairly regularly.

However, when I looked at this chart, I realized that I needed to do more research and be more diligent with my food choices.  I never, ever ate Bok Choy, mustard greens, or very seldom flax and sesame seeds.  Spinach was included in a salad every couple of weeks and I enjoyed a handful of almonds once or twice a week.  Collards and Kale are other great sources not on my list.  Hmmmmm.  How serious was I really, about building strong bones?   How serious are you?

Why is Calcium such a big deal?  In addition to maintaining healthy bones, your body uses calcium for blood clotting, nerve conduction, cell division and other functions like producing and activating enzymes and hormones that regulate digestion, energy and fat metabolism.  Wow.  in fact if your body isn’t getting enough calcium in your diet, it will pull the calcium from your bones.  There’s a thief in the house!

People generally think that calcium is the main ingredient for healthy bones so they drink milk, which can also be high in saturated fat.  But leafy green vegetables are also packed with calcium and other important nutrients.

Then certain kinds of fish are good sources for calcium, like canned sardines and salmon.  Various breakfast cereals and juices are also fortified with calcium.

So if Kale and Collards aren’t your favorite dietary sources, be sure to fortify with these products from USANA Health Sciences:  USANA’s Active Calcium or Active Calcium Chewable.

I love these products because I know that what I am eating every day can’t possibly be giving me all the calcium and other nutrients I need for healthy bones.  In fact, this formulation also packs in plenty of vitamin D, which promotes calcium absorption in the small intestine and calcium utilization in bone formation.  Vitamin D also influences the utilization of phosphorus, another mineral that is important for strong bones.

Magnesium is included because it plays an important part in neuromuscular contractions, and in the metabolism of carbohydrates and amino acids.  It is also helpful in neutralizing free radicals, and the development and maintenance of bones and teeth.  Who knew all of this?  I didn’t.

Silicon is essential for proper calcium utilization and it is key for the calcium mineralization of the bone matrix.

The calcium and magnesium compounds in Active Calcium Chewable neutralize stomach acids, thereby eliminating heartburn, while also supplying balanced amounts of the nutrients needed to support strong, healthy bones.  i love to take two chewable calciums at bedtime to help me relax and have a better sleep.

So, if this has helped you understand the utmost importance of doing everything you can to keep your bones strong and healthy for life, you will avoid Osteoporosis….and then check out how to avoid the other  Silent Diseases  

Supplement Spotlight: Calcium for Better Bones

Written by Emily Alaniz May 27, 2014

You know how they say young people think they’re invincible? Yeah, I never had that problem. I always looked both ways before crossing the street. I flossed my teeth every night. I got eight hours of sleep, no matter what.

So you get the picture: I was worried (and maybe a little paranoid) when it came to my health. But I took all the right precautions, so I felt like I probably had things under control.

Your body uses calcium for blood clotting, nerve conduction, cell division, and other important functions.

Then, when I was in college, I took a bone-density test, just because it was offered for free at my school. I figured I had nothing to worry about, because I was pretty young.

But when I took the test, I got a score of -1.2, which the nurse told me was a sign of osteopenia. This is a condition that can lead to osteoporosis later in life.

Needless to say, I freaked right out. In my mind, this meant my bones were dissolving and I’d be a big floppy noodle by the time I was 30.

This was when I started taking my bones a little more seriously. But I was confused — I thought I already ate plenty of calcium-rich foods, so why weren’t my bones super strong?

I learned that your body uses calcium for blood clotting, nerve conduction, cell division, and other important functions. In fact, calcium is so vital that if the body doesn’t receive enough from your diet, it will start pulling it from your bones — which was probably the problem I was having in college. (Well, one of many problems, but that’s another story.)

Leafy greens such as kale can be a good source of calcium.

The Best Sources

When people talk about calcium, they usually talk about dairy products. But dairy is often loaded with saturated fat, which you probably don’t want for a number of reasons. Don’t be discouraged though — it turns out that dairy isn’t the only way to get your daily dose of calcium.

I was surprised to learn that some great sources of calcium are actually fresh vegetables, including leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and collards.

Certain types of fish can be good sources — canned sardines and salmon, for example. Many foods are fortified with calcium, such as certain breakfast cereals and some juices.

Necessary Nutrients

Tired of kale? Turn to USANA’s Active Calcium or Active Calcium Chewable.

If you aren’t getting enough calcium in your diet (and let’s face it, kale is in right now, but I can’t eat it every day), you should look for a quality calcium supplement such as Active Calcium™ or Active Calcium™ Chewable.

These supplements include plenty of vitamin D, which promotes calcium absorption and helps build strong bones.

Both of these supplements also contain magnesium, an essential nutrient that plays a key role in the bone remodeling process. In addition, it helps in the development and maintenance of bones and teeth — so it’s pretty obvious why USANA included it in these two bone-building supplements.

Active Calcium also comes complete with vitamin K, which influences the rate of mineralization of the bone matrix. Overall, it’s good news for your bones.

After I did my research, I started doing some weight bearing and resistance training, walking every day, eating green salads, and taking calcium supplements.

Unfortunately, I didn’t know about USANA back then, but now that I do, I keep a bottle of Active Calcium Chewable at my desk so I’ll remember to take the recommended four tablets every day.

I know my bones aren’t invincible, so I better take care of them.

Sources:

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/calcium-and-milk/

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/guide/calcium-vitamin-d-foods

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional/

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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