Photo Courtesy of Live Strong
There are many types of Calcium on the market. It can also be very confusing with all supplements as they are not federally regulated. With that being said, Calcium is not the only element/supplement that helps build and maintain healthy bones. Magnesium, Boron, Vitamin D and many more are also involved. As for Calcium, I only use one specific form for treating patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis: Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite (MCHC).
MCHC is not only a source of calcium, but also has elemental and trace minerals, collagen proteins and other components that are essential for bone health. There have been a number of studies indicating both better absorption of MCHC versus other forms of calcium as well as reduction in radial bone loss for those whom supplemented with MCHC. Therefore, it helps to both prevent and reverse the effects of bone degeneration.
The rate of losing and growing bone differs depending on your age. When we are young, we make much more bone than we lose. However, problems can arise when the balance of breaking down and building up bone is disrupted. Because calcium isn’t produced by your body, we must consume it in our foods or supplement it. The dosage of MCHC that I use is anywhere from 1200mg-1500mg per day depending on age and/of the degenerative condition.
Also, don’t forget. Your food should be your first choice of medicine. And contrary to popular belief, milk is NOT the best source of usable calcium. Eat a diet rich in green leafy vegetables and stay away from too much acidic foods such as coffee which can leach calcium out of the bones. And most importantly, move your body! Weight bearing exercise still remains the best way to build and maintain a healthy frame. I also recommend a Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMFT) device made by the European company BEMER to help enhance bone generation.
April 7, 2011 at 6:23 pm
I read your article and really enjoyed the content. Can you let me know when you recommend that a woman get her first bone scan done with the Dexa Scan? Does she need to start in her forties or fifties?
- Donna C., Beverly HIlls, CA
April 13, 2011 at 2:44 pm
Hey Donna,
Dr. Berka left this reply:
“Getting a Bone Density Scan (DEXA) is an important part of your healthcare screening.
In premenopausal women, estrogen maintains bone density. Therefore, following the onset of menopause, bone loss increases each year. This can result in a total loss of 25%-30% of bone density in the first five to ten years after menopause. In general, I recommend getting a baseline Bone Density Scan for menopausal women.
Also, I will recommend testing for my post-menopausal women who have further risk factors for osteoporosis. These risk factors include a history of bone fractures as an adult, a past history of smoking or being a smoker, a small framed woman with low body weight, early menopause of late onset of menstrual periods, lack of exercise, low estrogen levels, low Vitamin D levels, long term use of prednisone or Dilantin, and Hyperthyroidism or Hyperparathyroidism.”
Thanks for your feedback!