Calcium, K2, and Magnesium

Calcium’s Role In The Body

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. The bones contain more than 99% of the body’s calcium. Other than building and maintaining bone and teeth, it is also important for:

the contraction of muscles,regulation of the heartbeat, transmission of nerve signals, normal clotting of blood, and calcium plays a role in many enzyme functions.

 

Calcium Absorption   (Oh!  This is SO important!!)

Calcium comes in several forms. These forms vary greatly in their ability to be absorbed by the body and in their ability increase bone density. The most commonly seen forms of calcium supplements are:

  • Calcium oxalate
  • Calcium carbonate
  • Calcium citrate
  • Calcium citrate-malate.

Comparison of calcium absorption rates:

  • Oxalate is the least absorbable.
  • Carbonate absorption can be as low as 22%.
  • Citrate-malate is the most absorbable — it has been measured at 42%, nearly double that of carbonate.

Calcium Absorption and Vitamin K2   (Oh!  This is So, SO important!!)

Research is showing consistently solid evidence that vitamin K2 (different from K1!) appears to be especially key in maintaining bone mineralization and limiting the formation and lifespan of osteoclasts, cells which break down bone. K2 is preferentially used by the body to deposit calcium in appropriate locations , such as in the bones and teeth, and prevent it from depositing in locations where it does not belong, such as the soft tissues.  This nutrient is vital to supplement if you are not getting adequate amounts in your daily diet (and most people don’t).

 

Calcium Absorption and Magnesium  (Yes, also extremely important!)

Calcium (Ca) must always be combined with magnesium (Mg). The reason is that a high-calcium or calcium-only intake will result in a net calcium depletion of the bone tissue. The body must always maintain Ca/Mg in a specific balance in the bloodstream. If the human being overdoses on calcium only, the ingenious body will dissolve bone tissue to obtain the magnesium necessary to keep the blood balance.

This important fact is sometimes neglected by medical doctors. A common practice is to prescribe 1 or 2 grams of calcium only, while neglecting magnesium. A recipe for disaster.

The proportion of Ca to Mg is about 2 to 1. Most high-quality calcium preparations will also present magnesium in the right proportion. Or you can buy them separately.