Nutrition for Healthy Body

¶ … Calcium potentiates the effect of estrogen and calcitonin on bone mass," (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1998) and "Calcium and Osteoporosis" (New Zealand Vegetarian Society web site). Both articles, while dealing with the same issue, had differing viewpoints leading to my concluding that there are many more variables involved in the prevention of osteoporosis than depletion of calcium in the body.

The first article presents as fact the evidence of 31 studies that found that postmenopausal women who took estrogen had an average increase of 1.3% in spinal bone mass, while those who took a combination of estrogen and calcium supplements had an average increase of 3.3%.

Contra to this, the second article refers to evidence extracted from a different body of research studies published by reputed journals such as the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Journal Clinical Investigation and Science magazine, to establish as fact that there is "no relationship between calcium intake and bone density." It is pertinent to note, however, that there is a marked absence of statistical data in the second article leading to some doubt over the foundation of the article.

Based on its evidence, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition report concludes that there is a synergistic relationship between high calcium intake and estrogen and that the two work together to increase bone mass. Contra to this theory, the second article proposes that the answer lies in limiting calcium loss and suggests, "one major culprit in osteoporosis may be..

Diets that are high in protein...cause more calcium to be excreted." The article does concede, "When replacement hormones are used, calcium supplements have been shown to be a helpful adjunct in slowing bone loss," but nevertheless presents as its major focus that "the calcium craze has been founded largely on myth." The significant reason for the differing viewpoints seems to lie in the fact that each has relied on evidence from different researches, which though representative, accurate and relevant may be inadequate to form a holistic conclusion given their differing objectives.

One clear reason for the use of different studies as evidence lies in the fact that the New Zealand Vegetarian Society's mission is to promote vegetarianism, whereas the objective of the researchers behind the first article is merely to study the effects of calcium intake alongwith estrogen on bone density.

Irrespective of the biases in the second article, it does raise the critical point that there are many more variables behind osteoporosis than reduced levels of calcium and as such, prevention of osteoporosis lies in: "Good nutrition with a wide variety of foods is critical to overall health and healthy bones...a variety of nutrients including calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, and others" (Bone Builders web site). Numerous other articles have also recently raised.