Best Calcium Formula With Vitamin D3 For Bones

Q. I need a good calcium bone supplement. I heard taking D3 is more important than taking calcium and that I should take 5,000 IU of Vitamin D3. Is this true?

A. It is important to consume both calcium and D3. The special function of vitamin D is to promote normal bone mineralization. It helps to make calcium and phosphorus available in the blood that bathes the bones, to be deposited as the bones harden or mineralize. Vitamin D is a member of a large and cooperative bone making team composed of nutrients and other compounds, including vitamins A, C, and K. As we age our bones go through a constant re-mineralization process, which involves vitamin D, the parathyroid hormone (PTH), estrogen, and calcium!

Vitamin D raises blood concentrations of these minerals in three ways.

1. It simulates their absorption from the GI tract.
2. It stimulates their retention by the kidneys.
3. It helps to withdraw these minerals from the bones into the blood or to deposit them into the bone.

In the bone, it functions in conjunction with PTH and estrogen to regulate the mobilization and deposition of calcium and phosphorus. These activities are coordinated with the purpose of maintaining plasma calcium within a narrow range of concentration. The star of the show is calcium itself! Vitamin D is the director.

Without calcium from food and/or supplements, the PTH would receive signals to pull calcium from the bone to keep blood levels within normal ranges! Low dietary calcium & vitamin D leads to osteoporosis.

Vitamin D becomes more important as we age, because the intestinal process of absorbing calcium slows as we age, vitamin D plays an adaptational role by increasing the efficiency of intestinal calcium absorption in the lower half of the small bowel, especially when dietary calcium isn't adequate. However, even the active form of vitamin D is much less effective in improving intestinal calcium absorption by women a decade or so after the onset of menopause, even if vitamin D (calcitriol) levels are elevated. This is why many women go on Boniva or other medications to protect their bones in their later years. However, vitamin D & calcium is still important to maintain.

It is not true that everyone needs such a high dose of vitamin D, needing a higher dose is determined by getting your blood levels of vitamin D checked. If your levels come up low, then you need to supplement with a higher dose of vitamin D (> than 1000 IU/day). As of now, it is being recommended for people to get about 1000 IU of vitamin D a day if their levels are within normal ranges, in addition to their calcium from food and supplements.

Here is a good calcium supplement to take:

OsteoForce by DFH - it contains minerals we don't necessarily get in sufficient quantities in our diet, which also play a role in bone health.