PikaB
05-14-2007, 12:34 PM
There was a recent news item on research which indicates that excess intake of calcium and vitamin D is linked to dementia in the elderly, due to an increase in brain lesions. This was research done by Dr. Martha Payne, from Duke University.
So if we don't get enough, our bones may break, and if we get too much we may get dementia. (Idle thought: since Ezorb is always boasting that their calcium is more easily absorbed than other forms of calcium, wouldn't that mean their calcium is more likely to cause dementia?)
So if we don't get enough, our bones may break, and if we get too much we may get dementia. (Idle thought: since Ezorb is always boasting that their calcium is more easily absorbed than other forms of calcium, wouldn't that mean their calcium is more likely to cause dementia?)
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glowing4
05-14-2007, 02:26 PM
I saw that article too! And, as I have posted here, too much calcium (doctor's orders to take calcium supplements based on nothing but age and the osteoporosis scares) has left me with several kidney stones - one large enough to cause me to have lithotripsy tomorrow after a month of pain and anxiety. I really, really wish the medical community would get this straigtened out and give out much better advise. I am beginning to think that we are far better off by eating right and well - enough with the supplements and pills - at least until the right information is given to each patient based on her body!! Women are beyond the point now where having a doctor just say - "take calcium supplements" is good enough. We deserve the right information. One wonderful lady on this board suggested a cup of calcium rich foods at every meal. How much safer and saner can you get!!!
glowing4
glowing4
osteoblast
05-14-2007, 05:29 PM
Hi PikaB-you always find really great information like the unipedal standing. This new information regarding dementia from too much calcium and d is disturbing to say the least! We are really caught in the middle on this aren't we. How was excess intake of calcium and d defined in the article?
I keep reading and hearing how totally important d is for so many different functions. As the other poster said I hope this gets clarified.
I keep reading and hearing how totally important d is for so many different functions. As the other poster said I hope this gets clarified.
DesertBloom
05-14-2007, 11:58 PM
Hi Osteo: Sorry for jumping in here, but in that study they were referring to excess dairy products consumed by the participants, and of course they never say "how" much that was. I'm now starting to worry about all those fortified products, fruit juices etc that have come out, I'll just have to watch the calcium content on those products. From what I've read on excess minerals and vitamins, they were always referring to supplements that were taken in excess not minerals/vitamins from foods. You'd have to be drinking or eating a lot of dairy to reach that point. Have you read the article yet? It's interesting. It's mentions the role that Vit D had on the metabolism of calcium in certain age groups.
This is just a thought on another subject, but when you have elevated calcium, one of the symptoms you have to watch for is "brain fog", which I always thought was a strange way of saying mental confusion. In the Duke study they were referring to brain lesions and dementia from calcium, but it isn't that far from mental confusion caused by too much calcium (hypercalcemia), even though it's a different mechanism (lesions).
Thanks Pika for posting this, I read about it and never thought to post it :(
!!!!!For those of you that have to watch your calcium intake, watch out for all the new products that are now including calcium. The manufacturers are going hog wild on adding calcium in almost everything, and here's just a "few" I've found: Fiber supplements now boast calcium content *powder, capsule, chewables*, phytoestrogens (estroven) which is the OTC of plant estrogens for menopausal symptoms which is only suppose to have various herbs in it, also B complex has it now, never did before, and I haven't checked the fat soluable vitamins yet (A, E, etc) wouldn't be surprised if it's in those as well. Just read everything carefully, you'll be surprised how many companies are now adding calcium because of the calcium furor, and let's not forget the cereals, breads, soup, what's next :(.
This is just a thought on another subject, but when you have elevated calcium, one of the symptoms you have to watch for is "brain fog", which I always thought was a strange way of saying mental confusion. In the Duke study they were referring to brain lesions and dementia from calcium, but it isn't that far from mental confusion caused by too much calcium (hypercalcemia), even though it's a different mechanism (lesions).
Thanks Pika for posting this, I read about it and never thought to post it :(
!!!!!For those of you that have to watch your calcium intake, watch out for all the new products that are now including calcium. The manufacturers are going hog wild on adding calcium in almost everything, and here's just a "few" I've found: Fiber supplements now boast calcium content *powder, capsule, chewables*, phytoestrogens (estroven) which is the OTC of plant estrogens for menopausal symptoms which is only suppose to have various herbs in it, also B complex has it now, never did before, and I haven't checked the fat soluable vitamins yet (A, E, etc) wouldn't be surprised if it's in those as well. Just read everything carefully, you'll be surprised how many companies are now adding calcium because of the calcium furor, and let's not forget the cereals, breads, soup, what's next :(.
osteoblast
05-16-2007, 01:58 AM
Hi DesertBloom-Would you remind me as to whether is was serum calcium or ionized calcium that your dr. thought was most important. Must be my brain fog that I can't recall. I have brain fog coming at me from potentially two sources -hypothyroid and hypercalcemia-yikes! It's my serum calcium that is either sorta high in range, high in range or a few times out of range. ( My pth levels are right in the middle of the range) My supplemental calcium was cut by a third. Also, DesertBloom when you stopped your supplemental calcium - what intake of dietary calcium are you aiming for? And, did this move that you made reduce your high calcium level?