The association between 'calcium' and osteoporosis.

Calcium and osteoporosis

     In one day... Thai people need around 800-1,500 mg of calcium, but the fact is, Thai people receive only 361 mg of calcium per day on average. When our body received insufficient amount of intake calcium, our body will maintain serum calcium level by taking it from bone. Over the long term, when calcium is gradually extracted from bones, bones slowly lose calcium, leading to an increased risk of osteoporosis in which the bones become porous, fragile, and more prone to fracture or easily break even with the slight impact. These symptoms represent osteoporosis. 

          In the early stages, this disease usually asymptomatic until it becomes more severe and present with symptoms such as chronic back pain, humpback due to vertebral collapse or hip fracture, leading to an inability to walk like before. The complications may be severe, even lead to death.


People at risk of osteoporosis

    In people over 30 years of age, the deposition of calcium in bone were found to be zero, meaning that the deposition of calcium and the removal of calcium from the bone were equally balance. As the age increases, the ability to deposit calcium in the bones is less than the process of calcium release from the bone, causing the bone tissue to be thinner.
   Menopausal woman have decreased sex hormones which increase the breakdown of calcium, resulting in faster osteoporosis.
   People who drink coffee regularly. It has been found that drinking coffee regularly interferes with the absorption of calcium into the body.
    People who lack of exercise.
    Regular drinker
    Smoker
    Calcium or vitamin D deficiency. 



Recommended amount of daily calcium consumption for Thai people

   The recommended amount of calcium for pregnant and lactating women in adolescent age should consume calcium according to the recommended dosage in adolescence.

Suitable form of free ionized calcium   

   Calcium supplement products on the market are often listed in the form of calcium compounds which provide different amounts of free calcium.  Calcium carbonate is a form of calcium compound that provides the highest free calcium content, 40%.  That is, if you eat calcium carbonate 1,500 mg, you will get 600 mg of free calcium. 

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium. 

   'Vitamin D' helps the body absorb calcium better. To ensure that the body will receive the full amount of calcium; hence calcium supplements should also contain vitamin D.        

Liquid calcium: overcome solubility limit with immediate absorption. 

   'Calcium' is a mineral that has problems with its solubility and limitation on its absorption into the body. Therefore, a form of calcium supplement was developed to increase its solubility. Liquid calcium in soft capsules (Soft Gel) is another form that solve solubility problem. After the soft capsules break, the liquid calcium contained within is ready to be immediately absorbed into the body.