Bone Builders ShowDown

WAVE ONE

Comparison of Bone calcium products between New Chapter, Garden of Life, Natural Factors, MegaFood, and Nature's Way Alive Bone Formula. Listing shortcomings With suggestions to improve formulas.

 

 
 

 The unfortunate truth is that NONE of these products can be recommended as they stand alone. They all contain major faults in dosage or form of nutrients. Four of the 5 contain AlgaeCaltm source calcium. While this a natural "plant" source, the form calcium takes in this red algae is calcium carbonate. Yes, nearly the same form as in limestone. Red Algae use this calcium form as an outer shell to protect the delicate seaplant inside. The carbonate form, the major ingredient in TUMS, reduces stomach acid as the calcium begins digestion.

The AlgaeCal literature mentions that algae calcium is 75% soluble. While this sounds impressive, it compares to limestone at 69% soluble. Solubility is not the same as absorption. The calcium carbonate in algae is only about 15% better absorbed than the calcium carbonate in limestone. Plus, some AlgaeCal has in the past tested positive for low level lead contamination. A slight positive for Algae source calcium is that there are 3 forms of calcium carbonate and not just one like in limestone, which is nearly 100% calcite. Red Algae also has 2 other forms, aragonite and vaterite. Aragonite is almost same as low active stable calcite, but vaterite is highly active and probably responsible for extra solubility percent. Unfortunately, algae is extremely deficient in magnesium compared to the amount of calcium. Only Garden of Life and Nature's Way add extra magnesium. At a 12 to 1 ratio of calcium to magnesium, it is difficult for the body to maintain optimal health. article  Ideally, this ratio should be closer or less than 3 to 1. Milk is 10 to 1. Most other foods average between 3-1 up to 1-2. Many Nutritionists agree that just taking calcium by itself is contra-indicated for building strong bones, most likely due to its effects at this level on magnesium and phosphorus absorption and elimination. 

Since dairy is often a predominate factor in diets and calcium is fortified in so many foods, it is more likely that magnesium is low and out of balance. Research has found that just adding extra magnesium often aids bone health. Harmony and balance.

CAUTION: The Garden of Life Grow Bone System also contains a bottle of STRONTIUM at 680 mg which should only be consumed under medical supervision. At this amount, changes to bone structure occur and after a period of time, adverse heart and artery events have increased. ref See these articles, article  Without strontium, the bone formula almost passes if only 4-5 instead of 8 are consumed. The vitamin D levels at 1600 IU's may be slightly too high for some on a daily basis, especially if a Multiple is also used that contains more vitamin D. Plus, they do not reveal the starting source of the other nutrients they add to growing yeast cells. 

Natural Factors At only 200 mg Calcium, amount might be only half to one third of what is needed. Otherwise, a very excellent formula when considerations below are handled. Calcium lists 3 sources; Algae (which is carbonate), ascorbate, and carbonate. The other formula factors are good and the base food powders are quite excellent. But, if one consumes many calcium fortified foods, the low calcium dosage of this formula might be appropriate. Plus, add together all sources of calcium together to arrive at 1000-1200 mg. One serving of dairy can have 300 mg. Caution: Since formula is really more like a multiple than just a bone formula, please add up together with all other supplements for these nutrients: Calcium, Folate/Folic acid, Selenium, and even Chromium in this form, as too much may have negative consequences for small segments of the population. This aspect is seldom considered by Nutritionists. article on Selenium. Chromium ref. Folic acid ref ref article

Nature's Way Alive Bone Formula has the best overall bone building formula of these Brands. But remember, the AlgaeCal calcium form is a carbonate. They do add extra magnesium from an AlgaeCal source. Not sure how they accomplish this since algae is so low in magnesium.

MegaFood Bone does not use AlgaeCal. Saccharomyces is the yeast MegaFood lists as the form and source for calcium. This reference says that most calcium added to and taken in by yeast cells is turned into the polyphosphate form. The calcium to magnesium ratio is closer to a proper ratio at 3.75-1, but still needs dietary foods supplying some magnesium to balance. This formula only contains K1. Vitamin K2 would be better since K1 form does not participate fully in all the needed bone building functions or other calcium control factors like K2 does. Some K1 converts to the K2 form as MK4 in the body.

At 300 mg of calcium, the MegaFood product is equal to the amount of calcium in one serving of dairy. Careful dietary choices would be needed to complement this formula and maintain bone health. Calcium absorption percentages only slightly vary by source from 25-35%. Body needs can modify these percentages significantly from 10 to 60%. 60% is found usually only in infants.

Calcium carbonate is one of the lowest absorbed calcium forms overall. Citrtate-Malate is one of the best. In the digestive system, calcium separates from it's carrier acid and enters a free form state ready to combine once inside the body with special transportors. Half stays in the free form state as ionic. In fact the ratio of ionic free form to bound plays a role in health.

VITAL FACTOR:  Taking a large amount of calcium at one time increases the calcium blood spiking effects. The resulting cascade of reactions this generates is not beneficial long term to bone or body health. This is probably why food sources of calcium have more positive results from studies compared to supplements. Food calcium is buffered and slowly trickles into the blood. 

RETURN SOON FOR MORE BONE BUILDERS BRAND SHOWDOWN

New Chapter - Amount per 3 Tabs (3000 mg)
Vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol from culture media)	1000 IU	250%
Vitamin K1 (as phylloquinone from culture media)	35 mcg	44%
Vitamin K2 (as menaquinone-7 from natto)	45 mcg	56%
Calcium (from algae Lithothamnion calcareum & corallioides)	770 mg	77%
Magnesium (from algae Lithothamnion calcareum & corallioides)	58 mg	14%
Strontium (from algae Lithothamnion calcareum & corallioides)	5 mg	•
Silicon (from algae Lithothamnion calcareum & corallioides)	2 mg	•
Vanadium (from algae Lithothamnion calcareum & corallioides)	13 mcg	•

Analysis: If taken with added magnesium or a carefully planned diet, this formula would be acceptable if lead content is checked. THE RATIO OF CALCIUM TO MAGNESIUM AT 13 / 1 is not HEALTHY, ESPECIALLY IF DAIRY IS PART OF DIET. K2 is important. Having both K forms could be a plus. Silicon is vital but a little low, and strontium is at normal dietary amounts.

Grow Bone System (Algaecal) Supplement Facts

Serving Size 8
VITAMIN C	50 Mg	83%
VITAMIN D3	1600 IU	400%
VITAMIN K2	100 Mcg	125%
CALCIUM	756 Mg	76%
MAGNESIUM	386 Mg	96%
BORON	3 Mg	N/A*
SILICA	2.2 Mg	N/A*
STRONTIUM	3.8 Mg	N/A*
VANADIUM	68 Mcg	N/A*
RAW PROBIOTIC AND ENZYME BLEND (SACCHAROMYCES BOULARDII, PROTEASE, PHYTASE, BETA-GLUCANASE, ALPHA-GALACTOSIDASE, HEMICELLULASE, CELLULASE)	75 Mg	N/A*
RAW ORGANIC FRUIT AND VEGETABLE (ORGANIC STRAWBERRY,CHERRY,BLACKBERRY,BLUEBERRY,RASPBERRY,BEET JUICE,CARROT JUICE, BROCCOLI JUICE,CUCUMBER JUICE,TOMATO JUICE,KALE JUICE,SPINACH,CABB	22 Mg	N/A*
GROWTH FACTOR S BLEND (STRONTIUM CITRATE, STRONTIUM)  (WARMING, Do not consume))	680 Mg	N/A*
GROWTH FACTOR S PROBIOTIC ENZYME BLEND (SACCHAROMYCES BOULARDI,LACTOBACILLUS PLANTARUM,PROTEASES,AMYLASE,LIPASE,CELLULASE,PHYTASE,ALPHA-GALACTOSIDASE,HEMICELLULASE,BETA-GLUCANASE,GLUCOAMYL	8 Mg	N/A*

Other Ingredients: Saccharomyces cerevisiae, vegetabel capsules(cellulose), lactobacillus bulgaricus, natto(fermented soy). Raw food-chelated minerals, Raw Food-chelated Nutrients, AlgaeCal Raw- a raw, whole food marine algae complex contaning 73 naturally occuring minerals and trace elements

Analysis: If only 4-5 instead of 8 are taken, this is acceptable formula if lead content is tested. There is a slight advantage to the other ingredients in AlgaeCal. **Garden of Life has a companion bottle of Strontium Citrate that goes along with this formula in a system. DO NOT TAKE STRONTIUM AT THIS 680 MG DOSAGE UNLESS UNDER MEDICAL SUPERVISION. At this amount, changes to bone structure occur and after a period of time, adverse heart and artery diseases have increased, as well as less significant skin rashes. ref See these articles, article

Natural Factors Earth & Sea Bone Label (label was recently changed to one below)

 

MEGAFOOD Bone Label

Analysis: The can be taken "on an empty stomach" instruction indicates a complete lack of digestive system understanding. It is used to attempt to imply product is just food. Formula needs K2 and slightly more magnesium, or carefully planned diet around. 300 mg of calcium may be slightly low for some people, but adequate for others. It depends upon overall dietary characteristics and lifestyle. Otherwise, good formula if not allergic to yeast nutrients.

 PHASE II  (to be continued)

COMPARISON BETWEEN , SHAKLEE, JARROW, NUTIRLITE, COUNTRY LIFE, RAINBOW LIFE