The Question of Calcium
By Judy Chambers

Whenever it is suggested that milk and milk products be avoided, there is always the inevitable question: "And where will I get my calcium?" Although calcium is found in innumerable foodstuffs, we have been brainwashed to believe it is only in milk. But how do cows and elephants maintain their bone structure and their size? It is certainly not by drinking some other animal’s milk. They do so by eating their natural foods, that is, leaves, grass, and other vegetable matter.

This interest in adequate calcium intake has been sparked by concern about the bone-thinning condition known as osteoporosis, which for reasons not yet clearly understood seems to hit particularly hard in our society at women past menopause.

There are many foods that contain calcium in a natural, easy-to-assimilate form and are a sound alternative to dairy. They are:

- Sea vegetables, such as hiziki, wakame & kelp
- Sesame seeds or tahini (sesame butter)
- Greens, especially broccoli, kale, turnip tops, watercress & dandelion
- Beans, especially garbanzo, black beans & pinto beans
- Spirulina & wheatgrass juice

Let us look at the calcium question from another angle. Instead of seeing osteoporosis as a condition of lack, let’s consider it as a condition of drain. In other words, the question will be not "What is the way to add more calcium to the system?" but rather, "What is draining or keeping calcium away?" If we can find an answer to this, we can also find a different solution to the calcium shortage. That is, instead of increasing input, we can simply change conditions so that there is no unwanted output, no drain.

The list of foodstuffs that in one way or another affect our body’s calcium balance is surprisingly long, even if we ignore the simple, nourishing foods of the foregoing list. Some will add calcium in an unbalanced context; some are counterbalancers; some will drain calcium; and still others will cause calcium to be deposited in soft tissues or joints. It is important to understand that it is not enough that a food be high in calcium. The body has to be able to assimilate and utilize the calcium properly.

Foods That Affect Calcium Balance (negative drain):

- Dairy products – cow’s milk, cheeses, yogurt & ice cream
- High-protein foods – meat, fowl & fish
- Coffee & alcohol – including wine
- Concentrated sugars & salt – refined sugar & honey
- Nightshade vegetables – potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers & tobacco
- Vinegar & citrus fruits – oranges & grapefruits

On the whole, it seems quite likely that any acid-forming foodstuff in appreciable quantities demineralize the system. These include, besides high-protein foods, all processed grains, legumes and bread. Any time such foods are consumed, it is important that they be balanced by alkalinizing ones, preferably leafy green vegetables and seaweed. Otherwise, buffering minerals, including calcium, will be removed from the body’s storage places, such as the teeth and bones.

Only to end up being deposited into the porcelain of your toilet bowl.
References: Food and Healing, Anne Marie Colbin

devil's advocate:
some yogis actually promote the consumtion of milk products , to read some pro milk propaganda go to:
www.whymilk.com

definitley not pro milk go to:
www.milksucks.com

to chat about this topic go to the vancouver yoga cafe