Calcium & Magnesium 2:1

Extra Calcium for Those Who Need It

Scientific Background
We all need calcium to maintain healthy bones and teeth, and few of us get enough of it. But some people's needs for calcium are higher than others. Perhaps they have a family history of osteoporosis, perhaps they are smokers, or perhaps they are unable to perform adequate, weight-bearing exercise. While virtually everyone is wise to take a daily calcium supplement, these individuals require additional support. However, increasing calcium by doubling or tripling the quatity taken of a low-dose calcium supplement or a multivitamin is not recommended. Most good-quality calcium supplements contain magnesium and Vitamin D, without which the body cannot utilize calcium. But increasing magnesium supplementation can both interfere with calcium absorption and cause intestinal upset. Multivitamins contain a wide range of nutrients in recommended dosages for supplementation; increasing some of these nutrients, particularly those that are fat-soluble, can increase their concentration in the body to toxic levels. It is better to take the recommended daily dosage of your multivitamin and supplement with an added calcium supplement, than to double your multivitamin dosage.

How it Helps

Calcium Citrate
Some individuals - for example, men who have no family history, or risk factors, for bone disease, and who consume plenty of dairy products - may be able to obtain adequate calcium by eating a healthy diet and taking a low-dose calcium supplement with magnesium and vitamin D twice daily. However, other individuals - including men who have a family history of bone disease - should increase their calcium supplementation without increasing their magnesium levels too much. SISU Calcium and Magnesium 2:1 accomplishes this. Incorporating Calcium citrate, which is all-natural Calcium carbonate processed with citric acid to improve bioavailability, SISU Calcium and Magnesium 2:1 provides best results if taken with meals, when gastric juices are already flowing, which enhances dissolution and absorption.

Magnesium and Vitamin D (ergocalciferol)
SISU Calcium and Magnesium 2:1 strikes a delicate balance, providing enough magnesium to do its important job, but not too much. Magnesium is essential to calcium absorption: it activates the enzyme that triggers formation of calcium crystals in bone; and it converts Vitamin D, which is also essential to calcium absorption, to its active form. However, at very high levels magnesium can cause intestinal upset. SISU Calcium and Magnesium 2:1 provides magnesium in the natural oxide form to improve bioavailability; and Vitamin D as ergocalciferol, a vegetarian form of this nutrient.

Important Points about Calcium and Osteoporosis
2:1 calcium formulas, such as SISU Calcium and Magnesium 2:1, are intended to provide bone support for individuals with some risk factors for bone loss. Although women are typically at a greater risk than men, one in eight Canadian men over the age of 50 also develops this disease. Women who are at otherwise low risk, and men with risk factors, should work hard to ensure they consume enough calcium.
Risk factors for developing osteoporosis include:
• small build
• Caucasian or Asian ancestry
• family history of osteoporosis
• little physical activity
• no weight-bearing exercise
• poor calcium intake
• limited exposure to sunlight or poor dietary Vitamin D
• more than three cups daily of coffee, tea, or cola
• more than two drinks of alcohol daily
• tobacco use
• prolonged use of thyroid medications, cortisone, prednisone, or anti-convulsants
• primary hyperparathyroidism

New research suggests that the trace minerals zinc, copper, and manganese assist magnesium and Vitamin D in improving the absorption of calcium and protecting bone mass.

Contraindications
SISU Calcium and Magnesium 2:1 should not be taken together with tetracycline as it inhibits uptake of this antibiotic; this supplement may be taken two hours before or after tetracycline. Avoid high-dose iron as it blocks calcium absorption.

Other SISU Products that Support Bone Health and can be taken with Calcium and Magnesium 2:1
• Only Minerals - a blend of essential trace minerals to support bone density.
• Women's Protein Plus™ - whey protein for energy to keep you active plus soy isoflavones to balance hormones and support bone density plus ingredients to help weight management and digestion.
• Whey Protein Isolate - highly digestible protein that improves energy and supports bone density. A natural source of calcium.
• Vitamin D 1000 IU - High potency tablet. Improves calcium absorption.