Getting the dairy-free calcium you need.
For over ten years, we have seen the infamous milk mustache on celebrities, supermodels, and star athletes. The Got Milk? campaign ads are probably the most successful advertising campaign in history. You’ve got to hand it to the dairy industry. The ads must be working because Americans still consume more dairy products than any other nation.
And we suffer from far more calcium-related degenerative diseases—like obesity, osteoporosis, arteriosclerosis, and cataracts—than the Asians or Africans where dairy intake is minimal or non-existent.
While milk may be rich in calcium (1200 mg per quart, to be exact—more than enough to satisfy a whole day’s requirement), it’s also equally high in phosphorus, which has a habit of interfering with calcium absorption. Infants drinking their mother’s milk—which contains only 300 mg of calcium per quart, but has a beneficial calcium-phosphorus ratio of 2:1—actually absorb more calcium than infants drinking cow’s milk with its ratio of 1.2 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus.
Milk and milk products also tend to neutralize germ-killing hydrochloric acid in the stomach and generate excessive mucus in the intestines.
Then there’s the magnesium issue. Magnesium helps calcium absorption, but too much calcium interferes with the absorption of magnesium. Magnesium reduces the body’s need for calcium, but calcium increases the body’s need for magnesium. Although this may sound confusing, humans evolved in a magnesium-rich, calcium-poor environment back in the Stone Age. Our caveman style bodies learned to conserve calcium but not magnesium some 40,000 years ago.
Then there’s the allergic issue. For the majority of the world’s adult population, most individuals between the ages of 18 months and 4 years stop producing the intestinal enzyme lactase needed to break down milk sugar or lactose. The result is severe bloating, gas, or even diarrhea. Coupled with the growing number of food intolerances to casein (the protein fraction of milk and dairy products) that seems to accompany gluten intolerance, dairy is highly reactive for the majority of the world’s population.
Sure, there are lots of foods high in calcium—like collards, turnip greens, almonds, and the seaweed hijiki—but we either don’t consume enough of these calcium-rich sources on a daily basis, or don’t eat enough to satisfy even a minimal 500 mg.
Calcium in its correct form is crucial to health for some surprising reasons, not generally well-know. It profoundly affects our resistance to viruses, bacteria, molds, fungi, and even cancer. It can help regulate insulin—thereby assisting in all weight loss efforts—, balance blood pressure, and even lower susceptibility (with essential fatty acids) to sunburn. It also protects your cellular membranes from coming unglued when you are on your cell or cordless phones.
Osteo-Key is the only calcium supplement I recommend. It contains hydroxyapatite, the most bioavailable source of calcium which innately matches the highly absorptive calcium/phosphorus ratio of mother’s milk. A bone building team of nutrients is contained in Osteo-Key including magnesium, manganese, boron, silica, Vitamin D-3, selenium, potassium, zinc, and microcrystalline hydroxyapatite, and the complete Vitamin K complex (vitamin K1 and two forms of K2) to target calcium absorption direction into the bone—not the joints or arteries where calcium can buildup resulting in arthritis and arterial plaque.
I always smile when I see those Got Milk? ads. Now you know why!
21 Responses
Dr Gittleman – what are your thoughts on Greek yogurt, which is non-fat and high in protein. I eliminated all dairy in my diet several years ago, but have started eating Greek yogurt (GF Certified) due to the high protein content. Thanks!
Dr. ALG LOVES Greek yogurt!
Milk maize? I think you mean Milk Maze! But I agree it is a puzzle!
It is frustrating that most calcium supplements include Vitamin D. The frequent articles about the benefits of Vit. D rarely mention that D should be avoided by individuals with certain diseases, like sarcoidosis. Any advice for finding calcium without D?
Leslie, As mentioned above, you could look for a calcium supplement in the form of microcrystaline hydroxyapatite. This is the most bio-available form.
I’m curious about a few things…I’ve been using New Chapter Bone Strength ( + additional 300 mg magnesium to help with sleeping) because I was told that it was from real food and is far more absorbent then others. How does yours compare with ‘food based’? This also seems to be the one brand that does not upset my stomach.
I can only take calcium and magnesium about an hour before sleep because anytime sooner (no matter how low the dose is) I fall asleep during the day.
Also, why is your ‘K’ so high? How will all of this react taking it late at night? I realize calcium/Magnesium should be taken with food…but can’t afford to sleep 3 times during the day.
Thank you for taking the time to read and answer my questions.
What does SLG think of raw organic milk?
Lori, whole food supplements can be great for some people, but in general they are not well tolerated by anyone with food allergies (like dairy, soy, gluten, etc). For your tiredness I suggest you do a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis. There has got to be a mineral imbalance if the magnesium affects you like that! The vitamin K is for bone building and extracting calcium from the blood to be used for that purpose.
Kathy- raw organic milk may be a very nutritious form of milk, but it is very allergenic and also may contain parasites or pathogenic bacteria.
I hope to hear ALGs response on raw milk. I have found that raw milk is not allergenic.
Interesting thank you for that information. What about products like Life Way’s Kefir? Is is a good source of calcium?
What should I be feeding my 1 year old? I’m weaning him to whole milk but if that isn’t appropriate then what are alternatives for babies?
Should I be taking the magnesium supplement along with the Osteo-Key?
Mary, the best way to decide if you need more magnesium (there is already a perfect ratio in the Osteo Key) would be to have a Tissue Mineral Analysis. Some individuals do require a bit of extra magnesium to help balance their calcium, especially if you have low thyroid or adrenal activity.
Dr. ALG beleives that raw milk is the best milk if you are not intolerant. There are numerous studies of children raised on raw milk who have no allergies nor asthma. So, this is clearly a very promising for those who can tolerate milk!
We chose “maize” rather than “maze” as a playoff on the cocerns about corn and high fructose corn syrup….a bit of a reach, but we liked it 😉
I started drinking Hemp milk. 50% calcium. What are your thoughts regarding Hemp milk?
Thank you
Susan
I don’t remember off hand if I have ever seen an unsweetened Hemp milk but even if there is,, I have never heard positive comments from Dr. Ann Louise regarding the on going use of hemp products.
This comment is NOT correct:
“Kathy- raw organic milk may be a very nutritious form of milk, but it is very allergenic and also may contain parasites or pathogenic bacteria.”
Factory farm pasteurized milk is the danger and allergen-not RAW MILK – raw milk is alive and pasteurized is dead. The live enzymes and probiotics and the healthy grass diet PREVENTS parasites and pathogenic bacteria and allergies-the complete opposite of what you said.
There is much controversy over milk/dairy, but what it really comes down to is whether it helps or hurts your body. Your body, not Sally Jo or Billy Rob, but YOUR body. This site is helping many people by informing us about our health and presenting opportunities to supplement good health.
I do my research, choose what I will eat or drink and take note of what helps, or hurts.
Remember to make up your own mind about what is “healthy” to drink or eat, what works for one may not work for the other.
Patricia
I was just informed my IGF-1 levels are very low. Is there anything I can take to improve my levels? I would appreciate your advice on this. Thanks
blood levels during pregnancy