Calcium and Cancer

Yazmin

A while ago, MaddyMason posted a lot of interesting information about calcium and cancer in Crunchy's link on how to take supplements; thought I would share:   

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/79/topic/745486?page=1#post_1642509 

Dec 19, 2009 03:33 pm, edited Dec 19, 2009 04:26 PM by MaddyMason
MaddyMason wrote:
A few more points to be aware of- most of us know about vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients for survival and sometimes megadoses, as in the case of vitamin C, for treatment of various conditions, but a lot of people still think if a little is good, more must be better. This is not always true.
We would die without a certain minimal amount of iron, and iron deficiency anemia is not a good state. But the fact is, most people who are sick have too much iron, not too little. We know that IP6 is good for fighting cancer, but did you know that the way it works is that it "chelates" the iron our of the cancer cells? Cancer cells sequestor huge amounts of iron, which is not good, and which is why we want to get rid of it. A good reference on the subject is a wonderful book called The Iron Timebomb, by Bill Sardi. I have many other references about IP6 and iron, if anyone is interested.
Even less well known is the deleterious effect that taking calcium can have on our bodies. We in this country generally need more vitamin D, magnesium, strontium, and boron to keep our bones strong, not more calcium. Dr. Tomas Levy is working on his 7th book, which sadly isn't out yet, called, Death by Calcium: the Toxic Nutrient. It's very hard to dig up information about why you should NOT take extra calcium, but I did find this quote from the Blaylock newsletter-
"Finally, calcium can be a major cancer promoter, especially in the prostate. A recent study found that taking calcium supplements or drinking milk daily increased prostate cancer risk 297% and that it increased the spread of the cancer by an astounding 457%."
A scientist in England, Jane Plant, was an end stage BC patient who, through her own research, developed the theory that BC was spurred on by dairy products (high in calcium) and cured herself and many other patients by these dietary changes. She wrote a book on it, whose name escapes me, but I could look it up. This stemmed from her observation that Asian countries who consume virtually no dairy products have the lowest rates of BC.
Anyway, I never take supplemental iron or calcium, nor do I eat dairy products, except butter. Just my 2 cents!
Hugggs! Maddy
addendum- here's the link to Jane Plant's work-
http://www.rense.com/general35/av.htm

 

lago

Vitamin and Calcium Supplements May Reduce Breast Cancer Risk

ScienceDaily (Apr. 19, 2010)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100418155436.htm

One thing I have read is that Calcium should not be taken without vitamin D. There is a risk of heart disease.

… and next week they will change their mind.

Member_of_the_Club

This is really two-edged.  Strong bones help prevent bone mets, so you don't want to skimp on the calcium.  On the other hand, some folks have too much.  I used to take calcium supplements but my blood calcium levels became elevated.  Stopping the supplements stopped the problem.  I think this is really an individual thing.

Maya2

I've taken strontium for bone density. The first year I improved by spine by 7% and found myself back in the normal range. My hips improved 5% and should be back in normal by next scan. I also do take some calcium with D and magnesium.

Anonymous

Maya2, did you take the prescription Strontium or the supplement that you can buy over the counter?

Nan56143

Dear Maya2,

What an amazing improvement!  Now I know I will get this supplement, and I too want to know if this was a prescription. I see where you are from France. I take K2, 5000 iu's of D3, and magnesium, but I do not take calcium. How long have you been taking this? I have posted articles/links for strontium, but never purchased it for myself. This link is from 2004, and they knew about the benefits in the 1950's?

http://www.worldhealth.net/news/strontium_breakthrough_against_osteoporo/

Medigal

I take Citracal with an extra Vit D3 pill each day plus a Multi-Vitamin which has calcium and extra Vit D3 in it.  I don't drink much milk at all so my Onc wants me to continue to take these to protect my bones from Arimidex SEs.  There are days I just skip the Citracal pill because calcium can be so constipating.  I have my concerns about taking the calcium pills but must protect my bones as best I can now.

Anonymous

Medigal, have you considered taking magnesium citrate in addition to your calcium.  It may relieve the constipation and also helps the calcium to absorb.  It's good for many other things as well.  I also take K2.  Of course I talk D. 

Kathy044

Does anyone have any sound information showing that magnesium helps with calcium absorption? (By that I mean information from a source that is not selling the combination in a product).

I've started taking Armidex and recently found out that I have osteoporosis so I've been doing some reading, and most places seem to say that though magnesium may help with constipation and may have other benefits for some women, that it doesn't in fact help with calcium absorption.

I recently purchased the book "The Intelligent Patient Guide to Osteoporosis" by Dr. Roger A. L. Sutton and Dr. Robert G. Josse.  The authors are Canadian, both have research interests in calcium metabolism. Here's what the book says (p. 55) 

"Calcium supplements are not particularly pleasant to take, and can cause constipation. This side-effect may be lessened by choosing a  calcium supplement that contains magnesium, since magnesium has some laxative effect. There is probably no other good reason for the usual patient with osteoporosis to take extra magnesium. There is no convincing evidence that magnesium supplements per se are of any benefit in osteoporosis"

Kathy

Maya2

Sorry I didn't get back to answer your questions Shirley and Nan. In France I take the Rx, but lately I've been travelling and I've been getting Doctor's Best Strontium Bone Builder. You can get it from Amazon. I take 2 last thing at night. I think that's about 635 mg.

Recently I had another bone density test. After 3 years of take strontium I've had a 14% improvement in my spine and 10% improvement in my hips. I'm now back in the normal range.

I've reduced the amount of calcium I take to about 650 mg (You need to take about the same amount as the strontium, but do NOT take together. Separate them by at least 2 to 3 hours). I eat some calcium, but the US takes more calcium than any other country, yet has the highest rate of bone loss. There must be another factor. Then the other day, the news about calcium and heart attacks came out. So I'm staying with the lower amount. I also take 2,000 D3 per day.

purple32

RE: Strontium

I hate it when I look up something and see the word cancer ( bone cancer ) mixed in there somehow.

Can someone clarify this info on strontium? I might consider the arimidex if I had a  good bone buio lder.

Many thanks !
================

WIKIPEDIA

Effect on the human body

The human body absorbs strontium as if it were calcium. Due to the chemical similarity of the elements, the stable forms of strontium might not pose a significant health threat - in fact, the levels found naturally may actually be beneficial (see below) - but the radioactive ⁹⁰Sr can lead to various bone disorders and diseases, including bone cancer. The strontium unit is used in measuring radioactivity from absorbed ⁹⁰Sr.

A recent in-vitro study conducted the NY College of Dental Sciences using strontium on osteoblasts showed marked improvement on bone-building osteoblasts.^[41]

The drug strontium ranelate, made by combining strontium with ranelic acid, was found to aid bone growth, increase bone density, and lessen vertebral, peripheral, and hip fractures.^[42][43] Women receiving the drug showed a 12.7% increase in bone density. Women receiving a placebo had a 1.6% decrease. Half the increase in bone density (measured by X-ray densitometry) is attributed to the higher atomic weight of Sr compared with calcium, whereas the other half a true increase in bone mass. Strontium ranelate is registered as a prescription drug in Europe and many countries worldwide. It must be prescribed by a doctor, must be delivered by a pharmacist, and requires strict medical supervision.

There is a long history of medical research regarding strontium's benefits, beginning in the 1950s. Studies indicate a lack of undesirable side-effects.^{[44][45][46][47][48][49]} Several other salts of strontium such as strontium citrate and strontium carbonate are available in the United States under the Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act of 1994, providing close to the recommended strontium content, about 680 milligrams per day, of strontium ranelate. Their long-term safety and efficacy have not been evaluated on humans in large-scale medical trials.^[citation

Momine

Purple, I looked up the medication in wiki. Apparently it should not be used in patients who have bad kidney function or who have a tendency to vein thrombosis. Other than that, I get the impression that it works quite well in building bone.

AnnE16

WOuld that be a better bone builder than Zometa, Xgeva, etc. with less side effects?

Kathy044

The bisphosphates have been in trials longer so more about SEs are known. As for strontium ranelate, this is the fairly recent news that killed the company's application for a Natural Product Number (NPN) in Canada.

http://www.medicaljournals.se/acta/content/?doi=10.2340/00015555-1014&html=1

sam52

Hello Sylvia

I have now tried twice to post here to you.....and each time lost it as I pressed 'submit' - I blame my laptop mouse which is weirdly sensitive at times. Sorry.I will try again tomorrow.

Love,

Sam