Natural Calcium by Lifestream EXP 01/24

Calcium is also used by almost every cell in the body including the heart and nerves and is necessary for muscle contraction and for the development and maintenance of bone structure. Calcium is an important component of a healthy diet. Although we imagine our bones are permanent, they are actually being constantly renewed throughout our life and replaced with new bone tissue.  In fact, our entire skeleton is renewed approximately every seven years!
If we do not consume enough calcium in our diet, our body takes the necessary calcium from our bones to use for other essential functions. This can result in brittle or porous bones, broken bones, low bone density and weakness - especially in later life.
To ensure we maintain excellent bone health, it is essential we receive sufficient quantities of calcium every day. It is even more important to ensure that the body can utilise and absorb the calcium it is given. Natural food-complexed calcium may be the most suitable form of calcium for long-term use.  Usually good sources of minerals are obtained from natural plant and vegetable foods however calcium content is high in only a select number of foods.
 
Are you meeting your daily calcium requirements?

 
 
 Who needs more Calcium?

• It can be difficult to obtain sufficient calcium in the diet if you do not eat plenty of dairy or other calcium containing products (sardines, tofu). So anyone who does not eat dairy products or who has a dairy allergy may require calcium supplementation.
• Athletes and pregnant and breastfeeding women require more calcium.

• Smokers and those who drink excessively are at risk of not absorbing sufficient calcium from their diet so they may require extra calcium.
• Peri and post menopausal women require more calcium because their estrogen levels are dropping and this reduces the body's ability to build bone.

• Also, those who are thin or have a small frame don't have a very large internal supply of calcium and may require extra calcium.
• Excessive protein or salt intake in the diet may lead to low bone density and weakness and therefore people with a high protein diet or those eating salty, processed foods may require extra calcium.

 
What is Lifestream Natural Calcium made from?
Lifestream Natural Calcium is produced from a certified organic sea vegetable called Lithothamnium calcareum and demonstrates advanced bioavailability¹. Lifestream Natural Calcium contains 32-34% elemental calcium and other important co-factor minerals including boron, magnesium, zinc, copper, iodine and sulphur.
 
The Benefits of taking Lifestream Natural Calcium:

• The only calcium supplement that is Certified Organic and a genuine natural food
• Helps to build strong healthy bones and nails
• Helps to support bone density and strength as you age
• Supports skeletal strength and posture of the spine
• Strengthens and builds strong healthy teeth
• Lessens the physical and emotional experience of PMS
• Good bioavailability and well absorbed by the body
• 100% dairy-free, G.E. free, animal free, vegetarian and gluten free
• Contains other necessary minerals including magnesium, zinc, boron, selenium
• Contains NO hydroxyapatite (crushed cow bone) and no animal products.
• Contains NO preservatives or synthetic additives
• Available in easy-to-swallow capsules or powder
• Not synthetically produced or made from chalk
• A complete and natural calcium food

 
The most important aspect when taking calcium is the bioavailability of the calcium. Calcium digestibility, solubilisation, absorption and organ uptake and release are important metabolic events when considering calcium bioavailability.
 
Is Lifestream Natural Calcium well absorbed by the body?
Yes. This is due to 3 unique aspects:  

1. Lifestream Natural Calcium has a unique porous ‘honeycomb-like’ structure which reacts particularly well in the digestive system and gives it high absorption properties.
2. A Lifestream Natural Calcium molecule has a very large surface area. This allows faster solubilisation and rapid ionisation of the calcium.
3. Lifestream Natural Calcium also contains other important minerals necessary for the absorption of calcium including magnesium, boron, selenium, zinc, copper and iodine.

 
Bioavailability studies
A study comparing the bioavailability of Lithothamnium calcareum (the ingredient in Lifestream Natural Calcium) versus calcium carbonate revealed a higher degree of bioavailability for Lithothamnium than calcium carbonate. The results indicated a significantly higher calciuric response for Lithothamnium than the calcium carbonate and therefore demonstrated greater bioavailability. Further to this, those women who had consumed Lithothamnium experienced a more prolonged decline in serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Since PTH increases as calcium drops in the blood, the researchers concluded that Lithothamnium suppresses this response for longer and is a further indication of increased bioavailability¹.
In a comparative study to evaluate the solubility of Lithothamnium calcareum (Lifestream Natural Calcium) against various other calcium sources at 3 different pH levels, Lifestream Natural Calcium proved to be the most soluble. The test method used a calcium ion selective electrode and specially designed buffer system for a more realistic digestive measure of solubility. The results showed better solubilisation of the calcium in Lithothamnium compared to two other calcium sources².
 
Calcium, Vitamin D and weight-bearing exercise for strong bones
Not only is it important to ensure an adequate intake of calcium in the diet, but vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining calcium levels. Exercise, especially weight-bearing exercise is also very important to increase bone strength.
People who get plenty of sun exposure do not normally require supplemental vitamin D since sunlight induces vitamin D synthesis when it strikes bare skin. As Lifestream Natural Calcium is sourced from a pure, natural sea vegetable, it does not contain added Vitamin D. For those people who have limited outdoor sun exposure, they will find that cod liver oil is an excellent dietary source of vitamin D and traces of vitamin D are also found in egg yolks, butter and Lifestream Chlorella.
Weight-bearing exercise is any activity in which your bones and muscles work against gravity. This includes any movement in which your feet and legs bear your weight. Examples of weight-bearing exercise include walking, jogging, aerobics, tennis and dancing. It is generally recommended that we do 20-30 minutes of weight bearing exercise 3-4 times a week to help increase bone mass.
   
Do you have to take Calcium and Magnesium at the same time in a ratio of 2:1?
No. There are no natural calcium rich foods with a 2:1 calcium magnesium ratio and instead the ratio of calcium to magnesium varies considerably in all foods. Human breast milk contains calcium and magnesium in a ratio of 10:1 – just like cow’s milk and other natural foods. Many human cultures like the Chinese and Japanese have had strong bones for thousands of years without ever taking or relying on calcium and magnesium at a 2:1 ratio^3,4.
  
How to take Lifestream Natural Calcium
Lifestream Natural Calcium is available in capsules and powder form. Each capsule contains 300mg of elemental calcium plus other important minerals. Each level teaspoon (2.8g) of Lifestream Natural Calcium powder provides 924mg of elemental calcium. Lifestream Natural Calcium is best taken with food at night time for optimum absorption. Lifestream Natural Calcium powder can be sprinkled onto food (just prior to serving) and can be mixed with juices. Capsules are not recommended for small children (due to the choking hazard) and therefore we advise that Lifestream Natural Calcium powder is used instead – it can be sprinkled onto young children’s food or drinks.
  
DIRECTIONS FOR USE:
Adults: Take 1 - 3 capsules daily or 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of powder daily.
Pregnant or Breastfeeding Mothers: Take 2 - 4 capsules daily or 3/4 - 1 &1/4 teaspoons of powder daily.
Children 1-11yrs: 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon of powder daily.
 
  
References:
1. Zenk J.L, Leikam S.A, Kuskowski M.A. A single dose pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic comparison of two calcium supplements in pre-menopausal women. Minnesota Applied Research Center, Chanhassen, MN and Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Administration Medical Centre, Minneapolis, MN. August 2004.
2. Assoumani M B. A natural calcium supplement derived from seaweed. Agro-Food Industry Hi-Tech – September/October 1997: 45-47.
3. Ling X, et al. Vertebral fractures in Beijing, China: the Beijing Osteoporosis Project. J Bone Miner Res. 2000 Oct;15 (10):2019-25
4. Dennison, E et al. Bone loss in Great Britain and Japan: a comparative longitudinal study. Bone 1998 Oct;23 (4):379-382.
Heaney RP. Calcium in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. J Intern Med. 1992 Feb;231(2):169-80
Power ML. The role of calcium in health and disease. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1999 Dec;181(6):1560-9.
Specker B. Evidence for an Interaction between Exercise and Nutrition for Improved Bone Health during Growth. Med Sport Sci. 2007;51:50-63.