|
PORPHYRIA FACTS: NUTRITION - VITAMINS - CALCIUM
What is calcium?
Calcium in the human body found in the tissues is concentrated in the form of
calcium phosphate salts.
Nerve cells, body tissues, blood, and other body fluids contain the remaining
calcium.
The human body needs Calcium or the growth, maintenance, and reproduction
of the human body.
Calcium is essential for the formation of and maintenance of bones so they do
not become fragile nor a person loss bone mass or have osteoporosis
SOURCE:
Calcium
Steven Angelo, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Yale School of Medicine
New Haven, CT.
+++++++++++++++
How much calcium should be consumed daily?
Calcium intake in women should be at least one gram daily.
SOURCE:
Diet and Nutrition in Porphyria
Dr. Karl E. Anderson
American Porphyria Foundation
Houston, Texas
++++++++++++++++++++
What should calcium intake be in women with acute porphyria?
Calcium intake in women should be at least one gram daily.
SOURCE:
Nutritional Guidelines For People With Porphyria
AIP Medical Guide
Sheryl Wilson, [HCP], MSN, RD
+++++++++++++++++++++
Can low calcium cause brittle bones?
Bone density can be impaired by low intake of calcium.
Low calcium intake can be seen in older persons which have osteoporosis.
SOURCE:
Calcium
Steven Angelo, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Yale School of Medicine
New Haven, CT.
+++++++++++++++++++
What are good sources of calcium?
The main sources of calcium are dairy products.
Such products include cheese, milk, yogurt and buttermilk.
SOURCE:
Sheryl Wilson [HCP] MSN RD
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
For porphyria patients the dairy products are a good source of carbohydrate.
The calcium is not contained in the "fat portion" of milk, so removing the fat will
not affect the calcium content.
It also does not remove the carbohyrate contains in the dairy product which is
essential to acute porphyria patients.
SOURCE:
Robert Johnson M.D.
Internal Medicine
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Porphyria patients should drink non-fat skim milk.
SOURCE:
Maria Estreva RD
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Milk is a good source of phosphorus and magnesium, which help the
body absorb and use the calcium more effectively.
Magnesium is vital for porphyria patients in curbing seizure activity and
insomnia.
It is good to remember that Vitamin D is essential for efficient utilization of
calcium.
SOURCE:
Calcium
Steven Angelo, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Yale School of Medicine
New Haven, CT.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Why is calcium important in acute porphyria?
A function of calcium is in the transmission of nerve impulses,muscle
contraction, and relaxation.Calcium helps in maintaining a normal heartbeat.
SOURCE:
Calcium
Steven Angelo, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Yale School of Medicine
New Haven, CT.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Having prope levels of calcium helps control possible tavchycardia in porphyria
patients.
Calcium helps maintain a normal pulse.
SOURCE:
Robert Johnson M.D.
Internal Medicine
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Can low calcium cause hypertension?
Low calcium intake can be a cause of hypertension.
SOURCE:
Calcium
Steven Angelo, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Yale School of Medicine
New Haven, CT.
+++++++++++++++++
Maintaining a normal level of calcium helps with keep blood pressure within
normal range.
Porphyria patients should drink nonfat skim milk daily. Nonfat milk is also a good
source of carbohydrate.
SOURCE:
Robert Johnson M.D.
Internal Medicine
++++++++++++++++
What causes low calcium?
Low intake of calcium for a long period of time can lead to calcium deficiency.
SOURCE:
Calcium
Steven Angelo, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Yale School of Medicine
New Haven, CT.
+++++++++++++++++
Many porphyria patients use calcium supplmentation of 2,000 per day
aloing with the 1750 of magnesium and 400 units of vitamin D so that
the calcium will better aborb.
Such a regiment helps keep bones strong and helps avoid osteoporosis.
SOURCE:
Ginny Littleton PhD
+++++++++++++++++
Excess calcium is easily eliminated from the body through the urine and feces.
SOURCE:
Robert Johnson MD
Internal Medicine
+++++++++++++++++
Can excess calcium cause toxicity?
Increased calcium intake for limited periods does not normally cause toxic
effects.
With the ingestion of calcium, the urine and the feces easily eliminate any
excess calcium.
SOURCE:
Calcium
Steven Angelo, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Yale School of Medicine
New Haven, CT.
++++++++++++++++++++
Do calcium supplements cause kidney stones?
With long term use of mega doses of calcium a person may experience the
formation of kidney stones.
SOURCE:
Robert Johnson MD
Internal Medicine
++++++++++++++++++++
With a very high regular intake of calcium, there has been found an increased
risk of kidney stones in persons susceptible to them.
SOURCE:
Calcium
Steven Angelo, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Yale School of Medicine
New Haven, CT.
+++++++++++++++++++
When taking calcium, is one type better than another?
One thing that porphyria patients need to remember is that calcium
supplements made from bone meal or dolomite may contain toxic substances
such as lead, mercury and arsenic.
For the few porphyria patients who need to take iron supplementation it is
important to note that calcium can interfere with the absorption of iron.
Therefore, do not take both at the same time.
Additionally, calcium carbonate supplements are best when taken with a meal.
SOURCE:
Calcium
Steven Angelo, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Yale School of Medicine
New Haven, CT.
++++++++++++++++++++
Is Coral Calcium better than other calcium supplements, and does it cure muscle
aches and pain?:
Coral calcium is basically calcium carbonate (the same compound found in
Tums and other popular supplements).
Some formulations may contain additional minerals.
A spring 2003 analysis by ConsumerLab.com found that one heavily advertised
brand of coral calcium contains more lead than is considered safe.
The Federal Trade Commission is concerned about some of the claims being
made for coral calcium.
The FTC charges that statements that the product can treat or cure
cancer or other diseases go beyond the scientific evidence.
Coral calcium has not undergone FDA clinical studies.
SOURCE:
Marilyn Swenson MSN, RN
Patient Education
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Calcium compounds used as food supplements or in food to supply the body
with calcium is dietary calcium.
Dietary calcium is needed during growth for bone development and for
maintenance of skeletal integrity later in life to prevent osteoporosis.
Dietary calcium is a key element to correcion of porphyrin overproduction in
porphyria pagtients.
SOURCE:
Robert Johnson MD
+++++++++++++++++
A safe level of calcium needed to protect teeth in porphyria.
Teeth also need calcium to remain healthy.
The bones incorporate calcium into their structure.
Like other tissues in the body, bones are continually being reabsorbed and
re-formed.
SOURCE:
Calcium
Steven Angelo, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Yale School of Medicine
New Haven, CT.
++++++++++++++++++ +++
|
