Recommended dose:

Adults: Take 4 tablets, 2 with morning meal and 2 with evening meal, or as directed by a health care practitioner.

Consult a health care practitioner for use beyond 4 weeks.

Recommended use or purpose:

• Helps in the development and maintenance of bones and teeth.
• Adequate calcium (and vitamin D throughout life) as part of a healthy diet (along with physical activity) may help prevent bone loss / osteoporosis.
• Helps in tissue formation
• Helps to maintain proper muscle function
• Helps in the absorption and use of calcium and phosphorous

Cautions and warnings:

• Consult a health care practitioner prior to use:
  a) if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
  b) if you are taking blood thinners
  c) if you have an estrogen-dependent cancer
  d) if symptoms persist or worsen.
• Do not use this product if you are taking antibiotics or nitroglycerin
• Take a few hours before or after taking other medications
• Some people may experience diarrhoea
• If seal around cap is broken or missing, do not use.

According to a study published in the July, 2004 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, the number of North Americans diagnosed with osteoporosis surged sevenfold over the past decade. As of 2003, there were an estimated 3.6 million Americans who had been diagnosed with osteoporosis, compared with half a million in 1994, according to the study by Stanford University researchers. Also, the number of doctor visits for the condition jumped to 6.3 million from 1.3 million in 1994.

It is estimated that 68% of North Americans are not getting enough calcium and that 75% of North Americans are deficient in magnesium ⁽¹⁾. The link between calcium and magnesium deficiency and osteoporosis is obvious, but the real problem is calcium absorption and calcium retention. Most calcium or calcium /magnesium formulas are poorly absorbed and provide little benefit to deal with the growing incidence of osteoporosis. An effective osteoporosis formula must include the proven co-factors in maintaining bone mineral density and bone mass. Silica and boron are absolutely essential, along with calcium, magnesium and vitamins D & K to insure healthy bones over one’s lifetime. Osteo-Mend is scientifically designed to provide the most effective bone health formula available.

The form in which minerals are presented has a significant effect on the bioavailability of the mineral. In the case of calcium and magnesium, there is widespread use of inorganic forms of these minerals for supplementation, such as calcium carbonate or magnesium oxide (oyster shells, dolomite or coral) Yet, by properly combining (chelating) calcium with an amino acid [a component of protein] to create an organic chelate, 75% more replacement calcium was delivered to the bones than with inorganic calcium. Another example is magnesium, which is absorbed 87% when properly chelated, but only absorbed 16% when taken in an inorganic non-chelated form such as magnesium oxide. Chelated minerals provide 3 to 10 x greater absorption than non-chelated ones; essential in order to maintain optimum bone density ⁽²⁾.

CALCIUM (400 mg) AND MAGNESIUM (400 mg)

Both calcium and magnesium are involved in numerous metabolic functions and are absolutely essential for the maintenance of a healthy body. Calcium is considered the backbone mineral because of its role in the formation of skeleton and teeth. Magnesium is called the natural tranquilizer due to its relaxing action on nerves and muscles. Both minerals require each other for their absorption and utilization and must be provided in adequate amounts.

CALCIUM TO MAGNESIUM RATIO

The ratio between calcium to magnesium is very important in dealing with the causes and prevention of a number of disorders including myocardial infarction or arrhythmia, atherosclerosis, hypertension, urolithiasis, and infant-death syndrome. In all cases, a lower calcium/magnesium ratio or a higher magnesium/calcium ratio is desirable. This need is further underscored by the fact that magnesium intake is generally suboptimal and that hypomagnesmia is more prevalent than generally believed.
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for calcium is 800-1200 mg/day, and for magnesium it is 400-450 mg/day. About one-third of magnesium is absorbed from dietary sources. Therefore many researchers recommend an intake of 1200 mg/day. The traditional ratio of 2 parts calcium to 1 part magnesium needs to be upgraded to increase magnesium intake in view of the overwhelming beneficial role of magnesium. The ideal ratio for most people is an equal ratio of calcium and magnesium.
The absorption and metabolism of calcium and magnesium is one of mutual dependence, and therefore, the balance between these two minerals is especially important. If calcium consumption is high, magnesium intake needs to be high also. The trace mineral boron (B) also plays a part in preventing urinary loss of calcium and magnesium and silicon (Si) aids in calcium absorption.

CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM SUPPLEMENTATION

A common misunderstanding amongst both healthcare professionals and the general public is that the total daily requirement of calcium should be taken in supplemental form. In other words, many doctors suggest taking 1200 mg a day of calcium from a supplement such as calcium carbonate. There is a great deal of risk in this approach, as it does not take into account the average daily intake of calcium from the diet. A supplement should be just that; a supplement - to bring the TOTAL dietary intake of calcium to the optimum. Four Osteo Mend tablets daily will bring the TOTAL dietary intake of calcium and magnesium to the ideal. The majority of North Americans ingest more than enough calcium from the diet, but the intake of magnesium and silicon is often inadequate. A common problem is poor calcium absorption, not the amount of calcium ingested.

Calcium absorption depends on many factors including the type of calcium used e.g. carbonate, citrate or chelate, the amount of protein in the diet and co-factors such as magnesium, boron, silica and vitamin D and vitamin K. The danger of too much calcium in the diet without calcium co-factors, can lead to plaque on the arteries and kidney and gallstones. It is just as well that the excess supplemental calcium is usually the poorly absorbed calcium carbonate (dolomite, coral), which acts mainly as an antacid but provides little calcium for bone health.

SILICA (100 mg)

A recent study by a consortium of scientists, including the Harvard Medical School Division on Ageing, has found that Silica intake is a major dietary determinant of bone mineral density in humans. Optimal bone health depends upon silicon as well as calcium. The best-documented function of silicon is that it facilitates bone calcification and bone mineralization. This feature is an important benefit to those with ageing bones ⁽³⁾.

BORON (3 mg)

The mineral boron may retard bone loss ⁽⁴⁾. Since osteoporosis is occurring in larger numbers of the population, this is important news. Bones have osteoclasts that break down old or damaged bone cells, while the osteoblasts work to replace the lost bone. Osteoporosis occurs when the osteoblasts cannot replace lost bone tissue as fast as the osteoclasts break it down. Osteoclasts deplete bone at a faster rate after menopause, leaving women at a greater risk of bone degradation. Boron appears to have a moderating effect on this process.

VITAMIN K2 {Menaquinone} (100 mcg)

Vitamin K functions as a coenzyme during the synthesis of the biologically active form of a number of proteins involved in blood coagulation and bone metabolism, Vitamin K2, the most active form of the vitamin is included in Osteo-Mend because it is required for the function of proteins in bone and kidney; Vitamin K has a function in calcium metabolism, transport & respiration.

VITAMIN D3 {Cholecalciferol} (1,000 IU)

Osteo-Mend contains Vitamin D3, the natural form of the vitamin which is up to 2 times more biologically active than the D2 form.

Vitamin D functions as a hormone:

• Stimulates synthesis of calcium & phosphorus binding proteins that increase absorption & metabolism of calcium & phosphorus;
• Acts in conjunction with parathyroid hormone to stimulate release of calcium from bone into blood: stimulates re-absorption of calcium & phosphorus from kidneys;
• Rectifies chronic calcium deficiency;
• Regulates growth, hardening & repair of bone;
• Helps synthesize mucosal enzymes used in active transport of calcium;
• Maintains stable nervous system & heart action;

ORGANIC ALFALFA LEAF POWDER (600 mg)

Finally, Osteo-Mend is in a base of organic Alfalfa leaf powder. The “Father of All Foods”, alfalfa is one of the best known & most nutritious of foods. The root system of the alfalfa plant reaches out over 100 feet into the earth allowing the plant to absorb high levels of minerals, especially calcium. Alfalfa grass is rich in chlorophyll, beta carotene, vitamins A, D, E, B6 and K and in several enzymes which improve digestion and assimilation of nutrients. Alfalfa is especially rich in vitamin K and is often used to treat vitamin K disorders in man.

References:

1. Graff, D., Research on Mineral Absorption, Weber State University, International Conference on Human Nutrition, 1995.
2. Grossman, T. M.D. “Chelated Minerals” Nature’s Impact Dec/Jan 1997/98.
3. Seaborn, C.D. and Neilson, F.H., "Silicon: A Nutritional Beneficence for Bones, Brains and Blood Vessels," Nutrition Today, July/August 1993.
4. Newnham, Ph.D., D.O., Rex E. Journal of Applied Nutrition, (Volume 46, Issue 3, 1994).

NOTE: For maximum benefit, take the SOURCE Optimum, SONA based vitamin/mineral/enzyme formula and VEGAN Omega 3-6-9 to provide the body with optimum levels of other essential nutrients necessary to help maintain long term good health.

Packaging: Packed in light & oxygen resistant recyclable PETE (Bisphenol A free) bottles.
Excipients: Croscarmellose sodium, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, vegetable magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide. Ingredient details can be read here.
Gluten Free: Contains no artificial preservatives, colours, flavours, added starch, sugar, salt, lactose, salt, dairy, yeast or wheat.
Aqueous Coating: Vegetable cellulose complex, carrageenan.

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