The Calcium Myth
It is dogmatically taught as self-evident medical wisdom that the best prevention and treatment for osteoporosis require an increased intake of calcium. Certainly, it is true that bones have a large calcium content. It is also true that osteoporosis involves a significant calcium loss from the bones. On the basis of these two isolated facts and nothing more, it is concluded that upping calcium consumption will prevent and possibly reverse this condition. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from reality. Calcium is essential for bodily function. That’s not what is being called into question. The research and conclusions presented in Death by Calcium are not intended to incite a crusade against this essential nutrient. The goal is to expose the real and grave danger of pumping excessive amounts of calcium into our bodies. The great calcium myth.
Flawed Models of Reality
We now know that accepted geological wisdom during the time of Christopher Columbus was built upon shaky ground. In the fifteenth century, “truth” of a flat earth seemed self-evident and was not to be questioned. Our global perspectives have morphed much since then. Today, it’s almost impossible to imagine how anyone could concoct such a simplistic, two-dimensional concept of our planet.
Before we get too smug, however, we need to realize that humans are still very much in the business of fabricating flawed models of reality. Far too frequently theories are formed with little upporting evidence and touted as truth, while boatloads of evidence to the contrary are ignored and even altered. Oftentimes, fairytale realities are embraced as true because we want or need them to be true. It is all too common for scientists and lay people alike to risk their professional and personal reputations clinging to their foregone conclusions with a white-knuckled grip — even after their irrefutable “facts” are shown to be false.
Enjoyed your book on Death by Calcium and was a very knowledgeable book. I have enjoyed most of your book very much. Please keep up your work on Vitamin C.
Tests revealed three years ago I needed hip replacement surgery in both hips. I could hardly walk at the time. A very reputable naturopathic doctor recommended I take a liquid mineral supplement which includes 1200 mg of calcium tricalcium phosphate, calcium citrate and 300mg of magnesium. Today, three years later (now 66 yrs old)after taking the supplements, I am walking with very little pain. I have not repeated the tests but I believe the supplementation rebuilt the bones, ligaments, etc. After reading the material on this site I wonder if I could be doing more harm if I continue on this supplement. About six months ago I increased my magnesium (l-threonate and citrate) to 800mg/day and vit C to 3000mg. I would really appreciate your input and would seriously take it under advisement.
As discussed in Death by Calcium, any given approach can result in clinical improvement. However, that does not mean such an approach is optimal, since a protocol can have some negative impact while having an even greater positive impact. Obviously, you want whatever you do to have optimal positive impact with little to no negative impact. I make the case that calcium will virtually always have a long-term negative impact and promote chronic degenerative diseases. Optimizing magnesium and vitamin D, along with everything else discussed in the book, would be my approach. You might want to gift your doc with a copy of the book and see if you can both be on the same page in the treatment of your condition. A baseline coronary calcium score would be a good idea as well, especially if you decide to continue any form of calcium supplementation. Down the road, then, you can seen if you are mobilizing calcium from deposits or continuing to accumulate, which would be reflected in a higher score.
I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma 2 years ago. I have been taking IPT treatments in Phoenix and have successfully brought my Lambda Light Chain and also my IGA down to the approximate range of 1000 each. I have started to plateau and am stabilizing according to my oncologist, Jeff Matous. I am very interested in high dosage IV vitamin C, if it would help me maintain my current status or even reduce the MM. Where could I possibly get your protocol in the Denver area? Please let me know if there is anyone you might recommend.
Dr. Terry Grossman is in Denver: http://grossmanwellness.com/ If you see him, you can ask him to talk to me about a treatment protocol. You might also want to check out these articles: https://www.tomlevymd.com/articles/nh20130709/Root-canals-are-a-primary-cause-of-chronic-disease/ and https://www.tomlevymd.com/articles/nh20140311/Reversing-disease-with-the-%27multi-C%27-protocol Dental toxicity can be an important contributor for a condition such multiple myeloma.
I am interested in Vitamin C/Lysine therapy for a type 1 diabetic with CVD. Could you recommend a Cardiologist or Orthomolecular Physician located in the Raleigh Durham Chapel Hill NC area that could assist in establishing a medication protocol that would improve the health of the patient.
Thank you
I don’t have any specific doctor in that area that I would be able to recommend.
Generally, when people are interested in finding a doctor or healthcare practitioner, I refer them to these resources, being in mind that they need to do their own due diligence in determining whether a given person is a good fit for them and the care they are seeking:
http://orthomolecular.org/resources/pract.shtml#us
http://www.acimconnect.com/Resources/FindHealthProfessional.aspx
http://www.icimed.com/member_search.php
http://acam.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=1758
http://www.a4m.com/directory.html
Thanks,
Dr. Levy
Thank you Dr. Levy for help. This is excellent information.
Vernique
If you are post-menopausal and have had ER/PR+ breast cancer, what do you recommend for bone health? (Hormone replacement is out of the question)
Thank you
The answer to that question is more complex than just estrogen replacement and more detailed than I could sufficiently summarize in an email or blog post reply. There is a protocol laid out in my book “Death By Calcium” which I believe you may find useful. Follow this link to purchase direct from the publisher https://www.medfoxpub.com/medicalnews/product/S-DBC/Death-by-Calcium/Death-by-Calcium/. This would be a good resource to address your questions.
need to read information that explains the kinds of calcium, like carbonate/citrate.
I own the book but lack some basic knowledge about calcium . The powdered- buffered Vitamin C I take daily has calcium carbonate included (145MG).
Is that too much on a weekly basis?