Ninety-nine percent of the body’s calcium is found in bone. But science reveals some astonishing news about the biological roles of the remaining one percent.
It’s already known that calcium in the bloodstream is required for blood clotting, stable blood pressure, brain function, and intracellular communication. That’s amazing enough, but now researchers have uncovered three previously unknown functions of calcium that are critical to your health – and your bones.
The first discovery I want to share with you today is about calcium’s amazing contribution to the immune response.
1. Calcium: The “First Responder”
Intrigued by the intricacies of the immune response to injury, a team of U.K. researchers discovered that calcium acts as a “trigger” to start the process. Here’s how it works.
When you experience an injury, such as a wound from impact, a rush of calcium goes outward from the site of injury like a shock wave. Traveling along intracellular junctions, this calcium wave signals activation of an enzyme called DUOX, which attracts white blood cells to the wound by synthesizing hydrogen peroxide.1
The white blood cells then work to kill off any microbial invaders that could infect the wound. This breakthrough research reveals for the first time the mechanism by which immune cells are “summoned” to sites of injury, also known as the inflammatory response.
And this brings us to the next point: calcium has been shown to be essential in controlling inflammation.
2. Calcium Signals Keep Inflammation Under Control
Scientists studied mice that lacked a calcium channel component called STIM1, a condition that can occur in humans due to genetic mutations in the STIM1 gene. The mice’s immune systems were unable to control infection from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, resulting in extreme inflammation of the lungs and early death.2
A lack of STIM1 means an inability to generate calcium signals, so the immune system’s white blood cells and other infection fighters just “didn’t get the message.” In addition, a lack of calcium prevents the formation and development of crucial T-cells called iTreg cells, which were greatly reduced in the STIM1-compromised mice.2
So the infection and inflammation ran rampant and became chronic.
Chronic inflammation is a serious concern in the fight against osteoporosis. In fact, inflammation has been directly implicated in increased fracture risk. It’s no coincidence that many anti-inflammatory foods are rich in calcium.
That brings us to our third great calcium discovery, which is its role in sleep.
3. Calcium Is Essential For Healthy Sleep
Cued by the different calcium channel activity observed in the sleeping brain, scientists removed a particular channel, Cav3.1, from the brains of a group of mice. The sleep patterns of the Cav3.1-deprived mice were compared to those of normal mice.
The researchers found that without Cav3.1, the mice took a long time to fall asleep, and when they did, they did not stay asleep for long. Their brains exhibited brain patterns that are normal during waking hours, and they never reached the restorative deep sleep that is essential for mental and physical health.3
Sleep is also vital for bone health. In fact, your bones build and repair themselves while you sleep, and a lack of sleep results in a slow-down of bone formation. Chronic sleep deprivation could actually lead to osteoporosis, because healthy sleep is required for your bones to recover from day-to-day wear and tear. If they can’t, then density is lost.
It’s clear that…
Calcium Is Absolutely Essential For Healthy Bones And Much More
So it makes sense to get plenty of this mineral in your diet. But the kind of calcium you ingest is just as important – in fact, more important – than the quantity.
For example, inorganic, rock-based calcium, such as calcium carbonate, can cause more health problems than it solves and has poor bioavailability.
TrueOsteo Contains Organic, Plant-Based Calcium
“Organic calcium” may sound like a contradiction in terms, but when inorganic calcium is taken up by plants’ roots from the soil, it enters the plants’ cells through calcium- permeable ion channels in their plasma membranes. In essence, the calcium becomes an integral part of the (organic) plants.
The calcium in TrueOsteo™ is AlgaeCal, derived from marine algae that grow in pristine waters. And since no mineral works in isolation, TrueOsteo™ contains other ingredients to enhance and augment the action of calcium.
In addition to algae-based calcium, TrueOsteo’s updated formula also contains:
- Vitamin D3
- Vitamin K2
- Magnesium (also derived from algae)
- Root and leaf extract of Ashwagandha, a powerful anti-inflammatory herb
- Boron chelate
There are 120 capsules in a bottle of TrueOsteo™, which can be opened and sprinkled over food. You can take up to four capsules a day, two in the morning and two in the evening, preferably with your meals. Of course, you can take less, especially if you eat a lot of calcium-rich foods.
There’s more good news! The manufacturers of TrueOsteo™, NatureCity, are offering a 20% discount for Savers placing an order for the first time. All you need to do is enter the coupon code SAVEOURBONES at checkout to receive 20% off your first order.
Exclusive 20% OFF TrueOsteo Coupon Code for Save Our Bones Readers!
Use coupon code: SAVEOURBONES at checkout to get 20% off your order!
Please note that NatureCity only ships TrueOsteo™ to the following countries: the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
Here’s to your strong bones and healthy body!
References:
1 Razzell, William, et al. “Calcium Flashes Orchestrate the Wound Inflammatory Response through DUOX Activation and Hydrogen Peroxide Release.” Current Biology, 2013; DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2013.01.058
2 Desvignes, Ludovic, et al. “STIM1 controls T cell–mediated immune regulation and inflammation in chronic infection.” Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2015; DOI: 10.1172/JCI80273
3 Choi, S, et al. “Altered thalamocortical rhythmicity and connectivity in mice lacking CaV3.1 T-type Ca2 channels in unconsciousness.” Proc, Natl. Acad. Sci., June 2015 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1420983112
You May Also Like These Related Articles:
3 Common Health Conditions Caused By Magnesium Deficiency (In Addition To Bone Loss)
Tristetraprolin: The Protein That Builds Your Bones (And 3 Easy Ways To Get It)
How Magnesium Can Help You Live Longer (And Better)Comments on this article are closed.
-
-
hi vivian just want to say merry christmas and hope you have ahappy new years miss you bea
-
Thank you, Bea!
-
-
Thanks for this valued information.
-
I am confused and I have a question about TrueOsteo. Your article states that TrueOsteo’s calcium is made from AlgaeCal derived from marine algae. I have taken a calcium call AlgaeCal. It too is derived from marine algae. Is this the same calcium supplement from the same company only under a different name???
-
These are two different products both using algae for their calcium. There is a few differences in the vitamin D boran, and etc.
-
-
Hi
Where can one get a Hair Mineral Tissue Analysis?
Mary -
I take truOsteo when should I take I was told to wait about one half hour after my meal and you say with meals please let me know the best time to take it
-
It appears that many are taking some credence in your advice and reference to the article written in the British Journal of Medicine about the dangers of these so called osteoporosis drugs. What better way to inquire about this issue than to ask a very well respected endocrinologist who does this type of work every day and sees these results, and this is exactly what I did after reading this here. I was told this article is flawed, especially in the fact that the author has no background in this work of osteoporosis. He is a surgeon, not an endocrinologist. My doctor is very disturbed that many people are being misled by this information and not taking these medications to not only save what bone mass they have got left, but also to increase bone mass. I was told several stories of patients he is treating, and it was sad to hear how some had regenerated bone only to see it disappear drastically in as little as one year due to not taking different medications, which Reclast is one of them my doctor uses. I was advised to take it myself this year to keep what bone mass I was able to increase for fear that it will be lost, but was not able to take it due to an upcoming surgery. People, I don’t know what the answer is here, but please talk to your endocrinologist about these questions, especially what I have just explained. I have not seen my first written message posted here about this issue and hope it is not being deleted, as people are here to be helped and not misled, and I am making no accusations to either, as each case must be taken individually and analyzed as to what is the proper and safest treatment to take in balancing this decision to real bone loss, especially in elderly patients who cannot afford to make any mistakes on judgment calls. Reclast has its side affects and I was told that in every 100,000 people who take this, one will experience this. You then must weigh this risk against the risk of additional bone loss and it can be drastic, as I have stated above, as some have lost as much as 7 -10% in one year after regaining it through different medications. This is a very complicated process and a specialized doctor is the only person who should be making these calls, not a surgeon and not a nurse. I appreciate what is explained here, but please see your specialist on what your particular protocol in treatment should be, as the blood tests and bone chemical profiles that are done are very high tech and to be done by specialists. I have gone through this and increased my bone mass to a degree that my doctor felt was not medically possible through medication alone and I am very thankful that God has put his hands on my shoulders.
-
I would think the British Journal of Medicine would vet any submissions for publication and the author of same. Their reputation would be at stake. Also enough people who share in this forum have talked about the side effects they have had with various osteoporosis drugs. SOB has other articles about the risks of the drugs and the fact that any bone bldg the drugs accomplish is making our bones brittle and could cause femur breakage. Since I am not an expert on the matter I try to hear as many facts as possible and decided I wouldn’t take drugs for my bones. But it is very time consuming to try and keep up with it all and still live your life.
-
I’m not sure which article is referenced here. Surely not the one immediately preceding his comments; I’m still pretty sure, despite his comments, that the prescription drugs intended to increase bone density may indeed do more harm than good. It’s plain the experts don’t agree either. So I don’t think one can go wrong with pursuing a dietary plan such as Vivian’s.
-
-
-
I recently bought a book ‘The Calcium Lie’ by Dr Robert
Thompson, who lives in Alaska. His hypothesis is that
bones are not only composed of calcium, but about 10
different minerals plus many many trace minerals. He
emphasises .. Calcium hardens concrete !!! He urges folk
to take a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis to establish their
status. His book also exposes a number of other ‘Lies’.The usual test one takes for Osteoporosis is a Bone MINERAL density test, yet we are sent off with a bottle of
calcium. Incidentally I have your books etc., and am grateful that through you, I stopped taking Fosamax !!!!!-
I absolutely agree, Elizabeth! Calcium is by no means the only mineral in bone. As I’m sure you know, there is quite an extensive list of Foundation Supplements and the foods that contain them in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program. 🙂
-
Hello,
Could you please answer my questions? I take Alive Calcium Bone Formula which was tested by the ConsumerLab. Was the TrueOsteo tested by the proper Lab? And what are advantages of the TrueOsteo compare to the Alive Calcium? TrueOsteo has less calcium in it. Is that good? What is a role of AlgaeCal? Does it add more calcium?