Calcium - Supplement for Weight Loss?

Do you know that research suggests that calcium intake is an important factor in helping you lose weight and keep it off? The role calcium plays in bone health is well-known, but the idea that abundant calcium in the diet can help us maintain normal weight is likely a new concept for you.

In this article, I will tell you why calcium influences weight loss. You will also learn how to get more high-quality calcium into your diet. I will give you the inside story on the best calcium supplements and how to make sure you are absorbing the calcium you take in.

calcium - Not Just for Bone Density
The idea that calcium intake may be related to body weight has been borne out by several studies in the past ten years. Studies in rats and mice suggest that higher calcium intake alters the metabolism of fat cells, causing less fat to be stored and more fat to be released.

Why would this be so? To find out, we need to go back to our hunter-gatherer origins. The Paleolithic diet contained an abundance of calcium - 2000 milligrams or more. Human calcium physiology is still tuned to that level of abundance. Therefore, if we dont get enough calcium, it is a signal to our bodies that we are starving. That tells the body to slow down the metabolism, and to burn less fat, even if adequate calories are being consumed. Abundant calcium is a signal to the fat tissue that your body is well-nourished, and no longer needs to store fat, but can burn it. Fat storage is reversed, fat burning increased.

Another way calcium helps in weight loss is to help reduce cravings. The combination of high calcium, magnesium, potassium and vitamin C has been proven to quickly reduce all kinds of cravings. People with the highest intake of calcium lost the most fat on weight control programs regardless of exercise level. Significant weight loss was even observed in overweight people who were not watching their diet, when they increased their calcium intake!

Here are some other reasons it is good to make sure you are getting plenty of calcium. Adequate calcium may play a role in increasing HDL (high-density lipoprotein) in the blood. It also has been given credit for; reducing occurrence of kidney stones, reducing risk of colorectal cancer, reducing fracture risk, and reducing age-related bone loss. Long-term calcium restriction and lack of vitamin D can promote high blood pressure, too.

Are You Getting Enough Calcium?
The average American typically consumes only 600- 700 milligrams of calcium per day, and many are well below that level. To increase calcium in your diet, partake of aged raw cheese, yogurt, and butter from grass fed cows. Cheeses made in Switzerland are made from raw milk and aged over 60 days, which increases the availability and absorption of calcium and other minerals contained in the cheese. Switzerland Emmenthaler and Gruyere are available in many supermarkets. Look for the red print on the rind which says it was made in Switzerland.

Other easy-to-obtain sources of calcium are some varieties of canned fish, such as sardines and salmon. Typically, they contain some very soft fish bones. While I dont advocate consuming much canned food of any kind, canned fish are a convenient source that can add to your other sources. Once or twice a week is fine.

What to Look for in a calcium Supplement
The best absorbed form is called calcium citrate. Avoid the oyster shell calcium. It can be contaminated with heavy metals. In a study where calcium gluconate, calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate were given together, the body absorbed 2/3 of the gluconate, 1/3 of the phosphate and none of the carbonate.

Other Nutrients that Help calcium Absorbtion
Just taking a lot of calcium is not adviseable. Other nutrients that balance calcium intake and help calcium to be better absorbed are magnesium, vitamin A and D, boron, manganese, and potassium. Since magnesium is difficult to absorb, it is good to take a supplement. Cod liver oil is an excellent source of vitamins A and D. Boron and manganese are especially important. They can be taken in supplement form, and also are found in some foods. Foods that contain boron include apples, legumes, almonds, pears and green, leafy vegetables. Foods that contain manganese include ginger, buckwheat and oats.

To be absorbed, calcium requires vitamin D and stomach acid. For this reason, it's important to avoid antacids and the H2 blockers such as Tagamet and Zantac, which block or suppress the secretion of stomach acid. Contrary to what the makers of heartburn and indigestion remedies would have you believe, the last thing in the world most people need is less stomach acid. Heartburn and indigestion are caused by poor eating habits and a lack of stomach acid. Ulcers are caused by a bacteria, not by too much stomach acid. A simple way to improve your calcium absorption may be to take a betaine hydrochloride supplement just before or with meals, to increase your stomach acid. You can find it at your health food store.

In conclusion, supplementing with calcium and the co-nutrients that aid in its absorption are a good idea, especially if you want to lose weight. Make sure to provide the foundation of a wholesome diet and regular exercise for best results.

Ellen Landauer is a Health Seminar Leader and Coach with 3 decades experience, and a Certified Advanced Rolfer with a practice for over 25 years. Her mission is to empower people to achieve optimal health as a gateway to the joy of higher human functioning. Ms. Landauer has initiated a wholesale supplement program for a limited number of selected applicants.

For more information on the wholesale supplement program, optimal health and/or Rolfing, please visit http://www.healthfreedomcoach.com

You will find much helpful information, inspiration, and enjoyment at: http://wwwfibromyalgiachronicfatiguecom.blogspot.com

Ms. Landauer is presently conducting a Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research Project in the form of a survey. You can take the survey at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=376992536079

Copyright 2007 - Ellen Landauer. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article as long as you leave all the links active, do not edit the article and give author credit.

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Best Family Vacation Preparation? Help Is Here!

Personally we think cruises are teriffic choices for that family vacation or reunion, because they allow everyone to get together with lots of different activities for various age groups.

You get to go to places without having to change hotels - no need to pack and unpack. Those with young kids, you know what we mean. Besides, a cruise also offers everything, including duty-free shopping, cabaret shows, discotheques, karaoke, spa treatments, bowling, jacuzzis, swimming pools and golf courses!

Preparing for any family vacation with children can be a daunting task. However, there are some things that you can do to make the holiday go as smooth and pleasurable as possible! It is always fun to include all family members in the discussion about the destination. Experts agree that you will have a much better time if you plan your trip according to the ages and interests of the children in the family.

A good way to do this is to have your children prepare a wish list of all of the places they would like to go, things they would like to do and sights they would like to see.

After reviewing and discussing their wish lists, it will be easier for you to decide on a destination for your last minute family vacation that will make everyone happy. Whether you are traveling by plane, train, or automobile, there is nothing more difficult than to help children survive the hours of travel, you will have to think ahead.

Some good things to have on hand for long travel trips include handheld electronic games, favorite toys and books, snacks that are not too sugary (too much sugar will make it even harder for the kids to sit still), and something to drink such as juice or water. If going by car, you might want to also take along a Frisbee or a ball, to allow them a way to get rid of excess energy at rest stops.

Planning for any vacations is an important aspect to how successful your trip is. For more cheap and affordable family vacation deals, check out our last minute vacation packages with many destinations to choose from!

Copyright Statement
this article was written by Jonathan Tan and may be reproduced on any travel-related website provided this copyright statement is displayed unedited in its entirety at the foot of the article and you use the exact same HTML code to ensure a clickable link back to the author's site. Further articles are also available. Contact the author for more information. Copyright www.last-minute-vacation-guide.com

The most affordable way to make a weekend trip anywhere is via last minute getaway deals! Check out last minute all inclusive deals before the weekend is up at last-minute-vacation-Guide.com!

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The Best Golf Warm Up Techniques

Warming up before a game of golf is important especially if you are new to a course and want to play your best. Most people warm up at the driving range or warm-up area provided by the golf course. If you are tempted to skip the warm-up session and begin playing, you not do as well as you want to because muscles need time to stretch irregular use. Since you probably don't golf everyday, you will be using muscles that are seldom used otherwise, so warming up is important for your body and your golf game.

There are many ways that people prepare themselves for a game of golf. They practice their golf swing using irons, woods, and putters, they put themselves in a positive mood by emphasizing what they are good at and ignoring their faults. Many times the reason you are not playing up to your potential is because you aren't mentally prepared. Putting yourself in a good mood can help you focus and concentrate on playing a good game.

For any golfer, taking the time to warm up is a way to relax. It is not the time to use clubs you have not used before or try a new stance. When you are taking lessons or hitting golf balls at the driving range, then you can try new techniques. warm up with your best swings so you can use the momentum to play well during the actual game.

While waiting for your turn at the tee, visually see yourself performing well. This will prepare you for any obstacles along the way. You should also determine which way the wind is blowing, what the conditions of the course are like, and how the course is laid out if you have never played it before. This information will help you set up your shot so you can begin the game on a high note.

As you become better at the game of golf, you may want to alter your warm up strategy. This is fine as long as you use the time wisely. If you have a weakness you know you have to conquer, planning your game strategy while warming up can help you focus on overcoming your weakness by replacing it with something positive. Because you know when during the game your weakness will come up, you can plan ahead during the warm up session. Using a different club, using a slice to your advantage, or learning more about the course are all ways to compensate for issues you have on the course. Remember that golf is different from checking apartments with real estate agents in the Costa Blanca. You will have formidable opponents in the game so prepare accordingly.

Vince Paxton routinely writes publications on things dealing with costa Blanca and Elche. His observations on real estate agents in the costa blanca can be found on http://www.alicante-spain.com in addition to other web sites.

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