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Calcium is an element that can be found naturally in food such as milk and other dairy products, in broccoli, kale and other dark green vegetables, salmon and sardines. Calcium is also present in inorganic sources such as coral reefs, rocks and limestone in the form of calcium carbonate, calcium citrate or coral calcium (check your label now to ensure that your calcium is not inorganic).
Milk contains 20 essential minerals. Babies can digest and absorb milk calcium. More importantly, it mimics the magnesium and phosphorus ratio found in living bones.
We have summarised a few clinical studies on milk calcium:
Calcium plays an important role in building healthy teeth and bones. It is also crucial in muscle contraction, blood clotting and nerve function. Calcium is crucial in reducing the risk of osteoporosis, a disease that's characterized by a decrease in bone mass. When your body doesn't get enough calcium, it withdraws it from your bones hence weakening them. Thus it is important to get enough calcium every day and to build and maintain your bone throughout your life. It is also highly recommended that men take calcium supplements. 1 in 8 men will sustain an osteoporosis-related fracture in his lifetime (National Institute of Health. 2006). Calcium is also very important to children. Adequate calcium intake during bone growth may reduce the risk of osteoporosis in later years.
While the body at any age needs calcium, there are stages in a person's life when calcium requirement increases. Here is the daily requirement at various stages in your life:
| 4-8 years | 800mg |
|---|---|
| 9~12 years | 1,300mg |
| 19~50 years | 1,000mg |
| 50 years and above | 1,300mg |
Current data indicate that people from various age groups do not obtain sufficient calcium in their diet.
One of the major symptoms of a deficiency of this important mineral is skeletal abnormalities. Osteopenia (BMD lower than normal but not classified as osteoporosis yet) and osteoporosis may all be caused by calcium deficiency.
Other symptoms of calcium deficiency:
Osteoporosis is a disease in which the bones become fragile and more likely to break. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, (NOF), 1 in 4 fracture patient over the age of fifty will die within the year following their fracture. It is a silent disease because it has no symptoms. Clinical studies indicate that calcium supplements can retard and reverse the progression of bone loss in postmenopausal women. Osteoporosis can develop from the long term damage done to your bones through lack of calcium or because of the use of medications (New England Journal of Medicine, 1991; 325 (17): 1189-95). While most of the body's calcium is stored in your bones, a small percentage is used for functions such as muscle contraction and blood clotting. When you don't take in enough calcium for these functions, your body takes what it needs from your bones. Over time this can leave the bones pitted, porous and brittle, and may lead to fracture.
Osteoporosis can be a silent condition and may not be detected until severe problems begin to occur, such as fracture.
Certain risk factors are linked to the development of osteoporosis and contribute to an individual's likelihood of developing the disease. There are some factors you cannot change and others that you can.
| Risk Factors You Cannot Change | Risk Factors You Can Change |
|---|---|
| Gender | Sex hormones |
| Age | Anorexia nervosa |
| Body size | Calcium and Vitamin D intake |
| Family history | Medication use |
| Lifestyle | |
| Cigarette smoking | |
| Alcohol intake |
Your chances of developing osteoporosis are greater if you are a woman. Women have less bone tissues and lose bone faster than men because of the changes caused by menopause.
The older you are, the greater the risk of osteoporosis. Your bones become thinner and weaker as you age.
Asian race, thin and small body frames (under 57kg), are at greater risk of developing osteoporosis.
Susceptibility to fracture may be caused by hereditary factors. Young women whose mothers have a known history of vertebral fractures also seem to have reduced bone mass. A personal history of fracture as an adult also increases your fracture risk.
Abnormal absence of menstrual periods (occurs in women who undergo extremely vigorous trainings and women with eating disorder (e.g. Anorexia nervosa) and low estrogen level such as in menopause or early surgical removal of both ovaries brings on osteoporosis.
Vitamin D’s major biological function in humans is to ensure the body absorbs and retains calcium and phosphorus, both critical for building bone. Whenever calcium levels in your blood falls, vitamin D works by increasing your intestines’ ability to take up calcium from your food more efficiently in order to restore this delicate balance. When combined with calcium, Vitamin D has been shown to lower the rate of bone loss in postmenopausal women. Studies have found that modest increases in vitamin D intakes (10 to 20 μg/day) reduce the rate of bone loss and fractures. (Ann Intern Med 1991; 115(7): 505-512)
The recommended nutrients intakes (RNI) for Malaysians are:
| Age | RNI (microgram/day) |
|---|---|
| 0-50 years old | 5 |
| 51 – 65 years old | 10 |
| More than 65 years old | 15 |
Note: 1 microgram = 40 IU (ie: 5 microgram = 200 IU)
Source: Recommended Nutrient Intakes for Malaysia, 2005, Ministry of Health Malaysia
Medications to treat disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, endocrine disorders (i.e. an under-active thyroid) and gastrointestinal disease may have side effects that can damage bone and lead to osteoporosis.
One class of drugs that has particularly damaging effects on the skeleton is glucocorticoids. The following drugs also can cause bone loss:
An inactive lifestyle or extended bed rest tends to weaken bones. Like muscle, bone is living tissue that responds to exercise by becoming stronger. Weight-bearing exercise that forces you to work against gravity is the best exercise for bone.
When a woman enters menopause, her body produces much less of the female hormone estrogen. Loss of estrogen prevents absorption and utilisation of calcium and is the most important factor in development of osteoporosis. Calcium by itself has shown to prevent bone loss after menopause, and it definitely can help estrogen replacement therapy work more effectively.
While estrogen prevents further bone depletion, it does not replace bone that has already been lost. Generally, those taking estrogen still require calcium. Estrogen is not a substitute for calcium.
Check the product label. A multi-vitamin may provide additional nutrients and vitamins that your body needs, but you need to take a special calcium supplement if your diet is low in calcium.
MOO®? Is a "food state" calcium supplement. It contains bone building milk calcium, scientifically extracted using a proprietary technology and it contains a balanced mineral profile including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper and iron. By using proprietary technology, the fat, lactose and casein in milk are removed leaving behind an excellent balance of calcium and other essential minerals together with Vitamin D, critical for optimizing bone health. Due to its natural properties, it is highly absorbed and is very bioavailable.
MOO®? is "food state" Calcium because it is from food which is milk. However, practically every calcium supplement on the shelves contains "calcium carbonate". Calcium carbonate is from limestone, chalk, rocks, coral and eggshell. They are not food and not meant for human to eat.
The milk minerals extract contained in MOO® is produced using proprietary technology. The fat, lactose and other proteins in milk has been filtered out– making it suitable for lactose intolerant people, children, pregnant ladies and senior citizens.
Milk is superior source of calcium; however, you can't rely on milk to build your bones because it may causes osteoporosis. A recent study on 78,000 nurses found that women who drank more than one glass of milk per day had 45% greater chance of hip fractures (American Journal of Public Health 1997;87(6);992-7).
This is because milk has a particular milk protein called casein. Eating a high-casein diet increases production of acid in the blood, which can be neutralized by calcium mobilized from the bones.
In contrast to the high-tech nature of MOO®, common inorganic minerals that are used in the majority of vitamin and mineral supplements today are cheap minerals that are easily found in rocks or limestone (calcium carbonate).
MOO® is made from milk. A study group of young girls has shown that subjects obtaining calcium from natural source gain more bone mass than those who get it from inorganic tablet supplements (Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Nov 2005;85{5). 1115-1126.
Other calcium supplements are poorly absorbed and can cause digestive problems. MOO® is tasteless, odourless and can be mixed in any drink or food without changing its taste. It is highly absorbable and bioavailable (70% bone mineralization), without causing digestive difficulties (Pointillart el. AI, Reproduction, Nutrition, Development. 2000;40).
MOO® is the only calcium supplement that increases bone density by stimulating osteoblast (cell that is responsible for bone formation) activities. Inorganic calcium supplements can result in diarrhoea and constipation. MOO®, however will not cause stomach disorders, small intestine stones or kidney stones.
Unlike other inorganic/synthetic calcium, MOO® is safe to consume by children for their bone and teeth health due to its natural properties.
In addition MOO® is kept intact from many compounds regularly found in foodstuffs. Those compounds that commonly exist in foods, such as phosphates, oxalates and phytates, often times attach themselves to inorganic calcium to form insoluble precipitates. These precipitates will further reduce the absorption of calcium in the small intestine.
MOO® has high absorption rate and high bioavailability. Its unique approach of increasing bone density by stimulating osteoblasts activities sets it apart from competition. MOO® can be helpful for the following symptoms:
MOO® is the best choice for children and teens for bone, teeth and muscle development. Its high absorption rate guarantees that the young generation will have the opportunity to develop to their full potential.
MOO® Milk Calcium Plus – improved with Vitamin D, is ideal for seniors for bone, teeth and heart health. Unlike inorganic/synthetic calcium supplement (calcium carbonate), MOO® does not require gastric acid for optimal absorption and thus could be considered for individuals with reduce gastric acid production. Its high absorption rate and gentle effect on the digestive system guarantees that seniors will be able to obtain all the calcium they need to remain healthy.
MOO® is made of milk minerals extract. Milk minerals are rich in trace amounts of boron and other rare minerals vital to bone formation and growth. Milk minerals also have trace levels of natural vitamin D and K that we now know are vital in the bone formation process.
With the modern lifestyle, Vitamin D deficiency has become epidemic. To meet the RNI, we have added 200IU of Vitamin D to each MOO® tablet.
New research published in the June issue of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition shows that osteoporosis patients should receive their calcium in the form of calcium phosphate to reduce the risk of phosphorous deficiency (Journal of American College of Nutrition, Vol. 21, No.3, 239-244, 2002).
The study shows that if calcium intake increases without a corresponding increase in phosphorus, total phosphorus absorption falls and the risk for phosphorous deficiency rises. Phosphorus deficiency may make calcium supplementation less effective and could actually lead to increased bone loss.
Calcium cannot be absorbed into the bones without the help of magnesium. Magnesium not only slows down bone loss but actually reverses it! A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society has shown that dietary intake of magnesium is associated with an increase in bone mineral density in older men and women (Journal of the American Geriatric Society November, Vol 53, pp1875-1880).
If magnesium deficiency occurs, all calcium that you are taking is not being absorbed. The unabsorbed calcium will:
A study shows significant bone growth with a 38% gain in bone mass density among girls given milk mineral-fortified food. Adequate calcium intake throughout life, along with a healthy diet and regular exercise builds good bone health and may reduce the risk of osteoporosis (Journal of Clinical Invest 1997:99:1287-94).
A Purdue study finds that it was an advantage having milk or dairy products while bones were growing over calcium carbonate, and it protects you later in life. (Journal of bone and mineral research 2009; 24:1411-1419)
Clinical trials in women with PMS found that calcium effectively alleviates the majority of mood and related problems.
Calcium supplementation has been demonstrated to relieve many of the symptoms such as irritability, depression. anxiety, social withdrawal, headache, and cramps of the premenstrual syndrome (Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 19, No.2, 220-227, 200).
Women whose calcium intake is primarily from diet/food have greater bone densities than do those who obtain calcium mainly from typical calcium supplements. The type of calcium source may be an important determinant of estrogen metabolism, and the consumption of dietary calcium may have more positive effects on bone metabolism than does the consumption of calcium supplements and should be encouraged in patients at risk of bone loss .(Am J Clin Nutr 2007;85:1428 –33).
Bone spurs are primarily caused by weak bone and joint metabolism. When this happens, bone and joint structures become unbalanced along the joint cartilage. As a result, the soft tissues in the area are calcified to form bone spurs. If ignored, bone spurs will cause permanent damage to your bones and joints, and will eventually lead to osteoporosis or osteoarthritis.
In addition to below-normal bone and joint metabolism, recent studies show that calcium deficiency can also cause your bone spurs and heel spurs.
Many people don't realize it, but traditional calcium supplements are hardly absorbed by the human body because of their low absorption rate. When your body is deficient of calcium it will deplete calcium from your bones. Significant calcium deficiency may cause an acceleration of this calcium depletion process. The "spillovers" then form your bone spurs.
That's why you must have something that can take on both causes of bone spurs: weak bone/joint metabolism and calcium deficiency. Nothing in the market today can do that, other than MOO®.
First of all, MOO® stimulates bone forming cells to promote healthy bone and joint metabolism, so that the unbalanced structure can be aligned properly.
Secondly, MOO® provides the highest calcium bioavailability. This means your body will always have sufficient calcium around so that your bones will be protected from calcium depletion.
Thirdly, MOO® is now improved with Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps to ensure the body absorbs and retains calcium and phosphorus, both critical for building bone. Whenever calcium levels in your blood falls, vitamin D works by increasing your intestines’ ability to take up calcium from your food more efficiently in order to restore a normal, healthy level of calcium.
It is common for inorganic calcium supplements to cause kidney stones due to low solubility and poor absorption rate. MOO® is made of highly soluble and absorbable food-state calcium.
Furthermore, MOO® has magnesium, which has been shown to prevent the formation of calcium oxalate crystals - the most common cause of kidney stones (Urollnt 1997;58(2) :93-9).
The bioavailability lies in the retention of calcium and subsequent used in bone formation and mineralization.
Bone mineralization is better in animals fed with dairy calcium (yogurt) than with calcium carbonate.
A study has shown greater bone mineralization in the case of pigs (omnivores like us) fed dairy calcium (70% of calcium intake as powdered skim milk) than pigs fed calcium carbonate diet (33% of total calcium intake as Calcium Carbonate)(Pointiliart et. AI, Reproduction, Nutrition, Development, 2000;40).
A six-week human clinical study shows that milk calcium in MOO® is more effective than calcium carbonate at decreasing bone loss and build strong bones.
Gender, age, hormones, genetics, concurrent usage of prescription or over-the-counter medicines and other foods consumed at the same time can affect how well your body absorbs dietary calcium.
Absorption is optimal when taken in amounts of 500mg or less. Therefore, it is recommended to take MOO® twice daily before meals.
You can achieve optimal absorption by taking MOO® on an empty stomach (ie. Before meals).
Ingesting calcium supplements before meals supports calcium bioavailability. Since food may contain certain compounds that reduce calcium supplementation, calcium carbonate absorption is impaired in individuals who have an absence of gastric acid. Absorption of calcium carbonate can be improved in these individuals when it is taken with certain food. Alternatively, calcium supplementation in MOO® does not require gastric acid for optimal absorption and thus could be considered for use in older individuals with reduce gastric acid production.
Calcium is important during pregnancy as the baby needs calcium for skeletal growth. Calcium requirements increase dramatically during breastfeeding. It is recommended that pregnant and breastfeeding women take 2 tablets of MOO® daily.
Yes. MOO® can be taken with any multivitamins.
Milk is the best friend for children and teens. Calcium is essential to their bones, teeth and muscle development. Choosing a good calcium supplement for your kids is critical to their growth. Traditional calcium supplements may damage their stomach and cause problems in the long run. No calcium supplement will be effective if your child refuses to take it.