Finally...The Truth About Calcium Supplements

Written by Dr. Loretta Lanphier, ND, CCN, HHP


Finally…The Truth About Calcium Supplements By: Dr. Loretta Lanphier, ND, CCN, HHP

Undoubtedly calcium has become a hot topic of controversy. We are bombarded with advertising telling us exactly what will give our body more calcium. Betweenrepparttar “Got Milk?” slogans on one end andrepparttar 115322 Coral Calcium “cure-all” TV spots onrepparttar 115323 opposite end it is time thatrepparttar 115324 truth be exposed. Let’s look at why we need calcium and then some signs of calcium deficiency.

Howrepparttar 115325 Body Uses Calcium:

Strong bones, teeth and gums Maintaining a regular heartbeat The lowering of cholesterol Helps prevent cardiovascular disease Needed for muscular growth and contraction Prevents muscle cramps Essential in blood clotting Helps prevent cancer May lower blood pressure May prevent bone loss associated with osteoporosis Helps to activate enzymes which breaks down fats Maintains proper cell membrane permeability Helps keep skin healthy Protects against preeclampsia during pregnancy Can help reduce high blood pressure in pregnancy Protectsrepparttar 115326 bones and teeth from lead by inhibiting absorption of this metal

Calcium DeficiencySymptoms:

Aching joints Brittle nails Eczema Elevated blood cholesterol Heart palpitations High blood pressure Muscle Cramps Insomnia Nervousness Numbness in arms or legs Rheumatoid arthritis Tooth decay Depression Hyperactivity Hives Psoriasis

“Got Milk?”…Are You Really Getting Calcium?

No way! The damage that this one slogan is doing torepparttar 115327 health of Americans, especially children, is tremendous. Considerrepparttar 115328 following written by Robert Cohen (www.notmilk.com):

A publication inrepparttar 115329 February, 2003 issue ofrepparttar 115330 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Vol. 77, No. 2, 504-511) clearly demonstrates that eighteen years of milk consumption did not prevent hip fractures for post-menopausal women.

How many subjects participated inrepparttar 115331 study?

A mere 72,337. As part of Walter Willett's Harvard Nurses Study, investigator Diane Feskanich performed statistical tests of significance for 18 years of data including dietary intake of calcium (dairy and supplements) to determine her findings.

The conclusion reached from this observational analyses, is that dietary calcium plays little or no role in preventing bone loss. Drinking milk does not prevent osteoporosis. A total of 603 hip fractures were analyzed. Scientists determined that milk consumption was in no way associated with hip fracture risk. The same conclusion was reached for total calcium consumption.

The Harvard Nurses study previously determined that there is no positive association between teenaged milk consumption andrepparttar 115332 risk of adult fractures. (American Journal of Public Health 1997;87). As a matter of fact, justrepparttar 115333 opposite was found to be true. Women consuming greater amounts of calcium from dairy foods suffered significantly increased risks of hip fractures.

In light of these findings,repparttar 115334 dairy industry milk mustache campaign has been proven to be one enormous deception. Bones break because women eatingrepparttar 115335 wrong foods create an acid condition in their own bloodstreams, which must be neutralized by available calcium. The body achieves balance by taking calcium out of its own bones. Ergo, people eatingrepparttar 115336 greatest amount of total animal protein arerepparttar 115337 ones experiencing accelerated rates of bone loss. The same Journal of Clinical Nutrition, (1995; 61, 4) confirmed this truth:

"Dietary protein increases production of acid inrepparttar 115338 blood which can be neutralized by calcium mobilized fromrepparttar 115339 skeleton."

Eighteen years earlier, asrepparttar 115340 Harvard Nurses study was just beginning,repparttar 115341 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1979;32,4) reported:

"Even when eating 1,400 mg of calcium daily, one can lose up to 4% of his or her bone mass each year while consuming a high-protein diet."

Why do you imagine that today's most recent study will not be publicized on tonight's 6 PM news, or headlined in your local newspaper? Because it lacks one critical ingredient. Cash. For a story to be released, it must be accompanied by paid dairy industry advertising. In this deceptively dangerous manner, most of us get our biased health information.

Milk? It does not dorepparttar 115342 body good.

Coral Calcium

How these people have been in business so long just amazes me! I used to get spammed at least ten times per day with advertisements suggesting that Coral Calcium cures just about everything!! I have often wondered just whererepparttar 115343 FDA police was during all of this hype.

Coral calcium is calcium carbonate and is no better thanrepparttar 115344 calcium that is available in most drug stores or vitamin stores. What is calcium carbonate? Chalk! Put a piece in a glass of water and see how long it takes to dissolve…believe me, you will be there for longer than you care to know. Yes, you may get some benefit from it but it is notrepparttar 115345 most absorbable form of calcium and therefore notrepparttar 115346 most beneficial.

Yarrow the I Ching Herb

Written by Judi Singleton


Yarrowrepparttar I Ching Herb

Yarrow is an ancient herb steeped in mythology. A sacred herb in many cultures, Yarrow stalks are used forrepparttar 115321 I Ching instead of coin.

Legend has it that yarrow (Achillea millefolium) was named after Achilles,repparttar 115322 Greek mythical figure who used it to stoprepparttar 115323 bleeding wounds of his soldiers. Popular in European folk medicine, yarrow has traditionally been used to treat wounds, menstrual ailments, and bleeding hemorrhoids. Its traditional uses also includerepparttar 115324 treatment of fevers and colds, and relief of stomach and intestinal upset. Yarrow has been valued since ancient times for its ability to stop bleeding, hence its folk name "nosebleed." Today, yarrow is valued for its ability to fight off colds and flu. It is also an ingredient in many herbal cosmetics. Dried and cut flowers are used in arrangements.

This plant is so hardy that you can chop it and mow it down and it will come back up while you are doingrepparttar 115325 chopping. The wild yarrow is white,repparttar 115326 other yarrows were bred for color and smell. Found in Europe andrepparttar 115327 Americas, forty species belong inrepparttar 115328 yarrow genus.

Harvest in flower and gatherrepparttar 115329 whole flowering heads. You will not hurtrepparttar 115330 plants you harvest, they will grow right back. You can also harvestrepparttar 115331 whole above ground parts including leaf, stems and flowers. This adds a bitter quality torepparttar 115332 finished product. No special harvesting equipment needed.

Use flowers, leaves and stems.

A piece ofrepparttar 115333 plant held against a wound will staunch bleeding.

An infusion can help to break a fever.

A tea made from yarrow with peppermint and elderflower can be used to fight colds and flu.

Yarrow can be of benefit in mild cystitis.

Promotes digestion.

Improves circulation by acting as a vasodilator.

Lowers blood pressure.

Do not use yarrow during pregnancy, for undiagnosed bleeding, or for more than two weeks. Infusion causes contractions; should NOT be given to PREGNANT women. Prolonged use may cause rash and sun-sensitivity in skin.

Infusion ( tea) Pour near-boiling water overrepparttar 115334 herb and let steep 5-10 minutes. Standard quantities are 75g fresh or 30g dried herb to 500ml water. The Infusion must be taken same day. It may be sweetened, but do not add milk. This isrepparttar 115335 best method for leaves and flowers. Used for treating Arthritis, Diarrhoea (especially when combined with Chamomile), Dyspepsia (especially when combined with Chamomile), Indigestion (especially when combined with Chamomile), Menopausal Complaints, Menstrual Complaints, Rheumatism, Thrombosis, Hypertension, Fever (especially when combined with Sage), as an Appetite Supressant, and Liver Tonic (especially when combined with Sage) Used as a Mouthwash (a Strong Infusion) for treating Canker Sores Poultice A Poultice consists of a pulp or paste made by heating chopped fresh, dried, or powdered herbs with a lttle water. Spreadrepparttar 115336 paste between two layers of gauze and apply (as hot as possible) externally torepparttar 115337 affected area. Replace as necessary. Used for treating Eye Inflammations, Stys, Nosebleeds, and Ulcers Wash The herb can be used as a Wash by diluting an unsweetened Infusion to a large quantity of water. Use Wash by applying externally torepparttar 115338 affected area. Used for treating Haemorrhoids Insect Repellent Fresh or dried flowerss rubbed onto exposed skin can help repel insects. Used for repelling Mosquitoes, Gnats, and summer Flies

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