A Calcium Story

Ever since emerging from my momma’s womb, I was on a mission to create a calcium deficiency.  I did not know exactly how to go about it, but I nonetheless found the perfect solution for creating a calcium imbalance in my body.  It began with a very brief stint of breastfeeding, followed by a commercial formula through my early years.  Then came the variety of sodas which are super high in phosphoric acid.  That excess of phosphorous prevents absorption of calcium and simultaneously assists in stripping the bones of structural calcium through stimulating parathyroid hormone (PTH).

The next phase included an onslaught of ultra-processed foods, frozen foods, candy, margarine, & skim milk usually fortified with calcium.  Milk needing to be fortified with calcium should send everyone’s head spinning like a top.  The final strategy for calcium deficiency was to avoid the sun like the plague.  If I was going to be exposed to the diabolical sunlight, then I lathered up real good in toxic sunscreen.

Despite accomplishing the goal of calcium deficiency, I only suffered two broken bones through childhood which still shocks me to this day.  I was a rather active kid which reveals the resiliency of the human body amidst a clear and apparent mineral deficiency.  Calcium being one of the most important minerals that the human body requires for daily metabolism.

Signs of (Possible) Calcium Deficiency: muscle tension, cramps, anxiety, irritability, tooth decay, cognition deficits, fatigue, postural changes, depression, easy bruising, hypertension, numbness, tingling, trouble sleeping, poor wound healing, & osteopenia.  These signs and symptoms can be due to other reasons so never conclude that consuming more calcium-rich foods will correct these concerns. 

Next, I will explore important aspects of calcium.

Low levels of vitamin K2-MK4 are associated with cardiovascular disease as this promotes calcium deposition in the arteries.  Calcium does not want to be there but it needs its chaperones in order to get to its true destinations.  There are transport proteins which operate through Vitamin D3, Vitamin K2, & PTH signaling.  Phosphorus, magnesium, and even boron play vital roles in where calcium gets deposited.  There is always an intricate and delicate interplay of minerals, vitamins, and hormones throughout the body.  It is no different concerning calcium.

Magnesium is important for shuttling vitamin D3 around the body and making sure that it activates properly, making it a vital factor in calcium metabolism. 

Are there any reliable ways to measure your calcium levels?

Calcium is meticulously regulated in the bloodstream, so the standard calcium level on a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel is only valuable for people in dire straits. 

Ionized calcium is a newer blood marker that purportedly shows the unbound calcium floating in the serum.  Calcium is often bound to proteins for transport so ionized calcium, in theory, is free to interact when needed.  Personally, I do not put much credence to ionized calcium being a better predictor of usable calcium in the body since those transport proteins are used for a reason while leaving a small amount in the ionized form.  I believe this is analogous to hormone transport, ensuring that those molecules make it to their destination.

 A calcium score is a conventional procedure to evaluate plaque buildup in your coronary arteries by using a CT scan.  Calcium should not be accumulating in your arteries to a large extent.  This could identify a calcium regulation problem, likely due to an acid/alkaline imbalance. 

HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis)

Calcium shell – this is a pattern seen on the HTMA which signifies a debilitating, chronic stress state where the individual will present with psychological withdraw & repressed emotions.  The HTMA reveals much more than standard mineral levels in the body, but it is too deep for this post.

Tissue Salts: These were developed originally by Dr. Schuessler.  The tissue salts are highly diluted preparations which stoke the natural healing processes in the body.  2 of the foundational tissue salts for the human body are Calc Phos and Calc Fluor which both target the skeletal system since they contain calcium.  It is believed that by diluting the salts in this manner, the human tissues can take them in much easier and put them to good use.

A calcium and/or magnesium deficiency will signal a parathyroid hormone release which induces IL-6, an inflammatory cytokine.  IL-6 forces the bones to release calcium into the bloodstream. 

Natural Sources of calcium include raw milk from any ruminant animal, fermented dairy products, sardines, anchovies, mackerel, shrimp, oysters, bone broth, meat-on-the-bone, cooked cruciferous vegetables, dandelion greens, hard water, egg shells, kelp, clays and sesame seeds.  One must remember that activated vitamin D will promote dietary absorption of calcium. 

Phytic acid present in the bran of grains will prevent calcium absorption in the GI tract making it imperative for proper preparation.  This includes soaking, sprouting, fermenting, or leavening of the grains prior to consumption.  Zinc, iron, and excessive phosphorus can also block the absorption of calcium.

I hope that I was able to provide you with a better understanding of calcium or stoke interest in certain details for you to explore further since we could not do any deep dives here.  I am not one to go into the reductionist topics but minerals are a little different for me ever since I began learning about the tissue salts. 

If you would like assistance on your health journey and are fed up with the other medical models, then reach out to the doctor directly by emailing drdamon@seedandsoilwellness.com. We look forward to meeting you and helping you to regain your vitality. We invite you to become a part of our tribe.