I’ve been taking a daily calcium supplement for years to avoid osteoporosis, so imagine my surprise when my doctor told me I should increase my dairy intake because my bone-density levels were dropping at a worrisome pace. Why isn’t the calcium working?
I suspect you’re suffering from low levels of vitamin K. In my clinical experience, 9 out of 10 women don’t get enough of this vital nutrient, and without it, calcium supplements aren’t optimally effective. The reason: Vitamin K clears calcium deposits from soft tissues and deposits them into bones, plus regulates the flow of other minerals in and out of bones. Vitamin K shortfalls result in a mineral imbalance within bones, and that in turn leads to the weakening of bones and osteoporosis over time.
To remedy this, I suggest consuming at least one serving of vitamin K-rich food daily. Great options include 1 cup of leafy greens (such as spinach, kale, collard greens or romaine lettuce), Brussels sprouts, cabbage or broccoli; or 2 tsp. of thyme, basil or parsley. One caveat: If you take a blood-thinning drug (like aspirin or Coumadin), consult with your physician before increasing your intake of these foods. That’s because vitamin K also promotes healthy blood clotting, so it could interfere with your medication’s anticoagulant effect.
