The Different Kinds of Calcium Supplements

It's always a challenge to figure out which supplements to take and calcium is no different.

There are 3 different types of calcium (Citrate, Carbonate and Phosphate) that are usually prescribed by your health practitioner when you are in need of calcium, and the amount often differs depending on your needs. I was told by my Rheumatologist, after a bone density test, that I should take between 1,500 and 2,000 mg per day, max, although 1,000 is recommended for those under 50 and, 1,200 for over 50. He suggested calcium citrate (in the form of Citracal) but you do have other choices.

CALCIUM CITRATE: (Citracal, Solgar etc) 21% calcium. This is the most easily absorbed calcium, and the most expensive of the 3. Apparently does not contain much elemental calcium

CALCIUM PHOSPHATE: (Posture) 39% calcium. Also easily absorbed, and does not cause gas or constipation. Costs more than calcium carbonate.

CALCIUM CARBONATE: ( Rolaids, Caltrate, Tums) 40% calcium. Contains elemental calcium, but can cause gas or constipation, and must be consumed with food or a glass of orange juice (or any other acidic juice). It is the least expensive of the 3.

You should make sure that you subtract the calcium you get in certain foods like dark green veggies, dairy products and calcium-enriched foods and juices from your total RDA, so you don't take too much.

Although it's always preferable to get your vitamins and minerals from foods etc, for those of us who are vegetarians or who don't or can't do dairy, a supplement is necessary.

Because the body only absorbs elemental calcium, check how much your supplement actually contains. It's also best to use Calcium with Vitamin D and C, so that fortified Orange Juice is a great way of getting all 3.

There are other types of calcium- gluconate and lactate, but they're not worth taking because they contain very small amount of elemental calcium. There has been a huge hype about coral and oyster shell calcium, but neither is recommended because they could contain high levels of lead or mercury.

DOSAGE: Because the body only absorbs a certain amount of calcium, it is best to take several doses per day.

For more information on how to choose a calcium supplement and which foods are calcium-rich, please click here.

Merry Christmakwanzukkah To All!

I have been rather slack with blogging these days, but will start back at it shortly.

In the meantime, I wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Kwanzaa!

With Love,

Incog

All You Ever Want To Know About Leptospirosis

Lepto what, you ask? I wondered the same thing as I watched an impressive PowerPoint presentation that put the fear of God in me.

This post initially started off as a warning to wash all canned goods before using them. Originally inspired by an email floating around the Internet regarding the dangers of tin cans infected with Leptospirosis (from rat urine), it morphed into something else when I discovered the information was totally bogus. Not unusual for the many emails flooding our inboxes that get forwarded without checking the validity of the information on the various net lore websites. I guess there are far too many people with far too much time on their hands that find it amusing to send mis-information out into the universe. Although it probably is a good idea to wash your tins before opening them, or putting that soda to your mouth, it's not because you could get sick and die from Leptospirosis, as the presentation implies.

Don't get me wrong, Leptospirosis does exist! Commonly known as swamp fever, mud fever, sugar cane fever, rice field fever, Stuttgart Disease, and Fort Bragg fever, it's a disease caused by the bacteria Leptospira and can affect both humans and animals. Humans usually become sickened after coming into direct contact with urine from infected animals, or water, plants or soil contaminated with urine. It can be symptomless and mild or severe, and in some cases can lead to death.

Predominately found in warmer climates, it occurs worldwide and is both an occupational and recreational hazard for those who come in contact with contaminated water and soil.

Although farmers, veterinarians, soldiers, sanitation/sewer workers and fishermen are more likely to come in contact with Leptospirosis, all those who love to camp and play in the great outdoors (think whitewater rafting, canoeing etc) are also susceptible.

TREATMENT: Antibiotics.

PREVENTION: If you want to protect yourself, stay away from contaminated water, or wear protective clothing or footwear.

Click here for more information.

Lao Tze Quote- "If there is right in the Soul.."

"If there is right in the Soul,

there will be beauty in the person.

If there is beauty in the person,

there will be harmony in the home.

If there is harmony in the home,

there will be order in the nation.

If there is order in the nation,

there will be peace in the world."

Lao Tze

It all starts with the individual. Get your house (both physical and spiritual) in order and perhaps we will see change in the world. Each person can make a difference, by looking at life through the eyes of love, not the pangs of fear.

I AM POTENTIAL - by Patrick Henry Hughes

Over a year ago, I wrote about the selflessness of Patrick Henry Hughes' dad, who has devoted his life to his son who was born with a rare disease that left him with no eyes, and a crippled body. In spite of his handicaps, and with the loving encouragement of his parents, Patrick plays the piano, trumpet, is in college majoring in Spanish and is a member of the University of Louisville Cardinal Marching Band, along with his dad who pushes his wheelchair. He has performed at venues across the nation including the Grand Ole Opry and the Kennedy Center. None of this would have been possible without parents who, coming to terms with a physically less-than-perfect child, came to realize there is potential in every life, and helped their son realize his full potential.

Now Patrick Henry Hughes can add author to his ever-expanding resume. He has written an inspirational book (along with his dad and Bryant Stamford) entitled "I Am Potential- Eight Lessons on Living, Loving, and Reaching Your Dreams."

In I Am Potential, Patrick Henry and his father share their incredible journey. Simply and candidly written, this book is not only the story of Patrick Henry’s remarkable life, but of the bond between father and son. It is also a guide for those who seek to live their own life more meaningfully each day—demonstrating how with faith, perseverance, and unconditional love, almost anything is possible to achieve.

Their story proves that we can all overcome adversity by accepting and embracing, with gratitude, whatever hand we are dealt, and looking at even the negative in our lives as a gift.

As the title of the first chapter says "When Life Gives You Lemons, Accept Them and Be Grateful".

Keys to happiness: Burton Hills Quote On Enjoying The Journey

"Happiness is not a destination.
It is a method of life."

Burton Hills

Most of us are in far too great a rush to get somewhere to enjoy the journey, we call life. Or, we travel from A to B, believing that what lies on the other end will provide us with happiness, so we miss all the wonderful opportunities presented to us along the way. It's the 'stopping to smell the flowers' along our path through life that brings us true joy, not the destination itself.

So don't wait until some specific event happens in your life to do something, just do it.

Take time to love, laugh and enjoy your life now!

Is That Fur You're Wearing Really Worth It? China's Cruel Fur Industry.

Yes, furs are beautiful, and can keep people warm in winter, but at what cost? Is it really worth donning a fur, fur trimmed coat or hat, when the animal you're sporting could very well have been skinned alive? China supplies the bulk of the world's fur trade, and because the cost is cheaper, the fur industry eats it up. Even though your coat might say made in France, the fur more than likely originated in China. A country that has no regulations regarding the fur trade, and certainly not regarding animal cruelty.

A Swiss animal protection group (SAP) revealed that they had more than 6 hours worth of video footage, and over 500 photos of animals being knocked unconscious (to save the pelt) and being skinned alive, oftentimes the heart still beating. And it's not just foxes and minks, it's cats and dogs, as well. I understand that there are cultural differences with respect to how we all perceive animals, but cruelty is unforgivable under any circumstances. We are the caretakers of our world, and that includes caring for our animals, as well. Smashing a raccoon dog's head on the ground, to knock it unconscious before skinning it alive, is unconscionable.

But we, the consumer, are as much at fault with our demand for furs and fur accessories. Without the demand there would be no need.

You might reconsider buying those fur trimmed gloves, the next time you are out shopping, knowing that animal might have died in agony.

The following is a video of Heather Mills, produced by PETA (whose methods I often find questionable), that has some very disturbing images. You might want to close your eyes, if you choose to play it.

Is That Bacteria On My Lemon Slice?

I love lemons and limes. Those tangy, mouth-puckering fruits get placed in everything from my salads to that ice-cold glass of water. The first thing I ask for, when eating out, is a glass of ice water (or Perrier) with a slice of lemon or lime. What's a glass of cold water without some lemon?! But I have to admit that after watching the video below, I do think twice about requesting it now.

According to microbiologist Anne LaGrange Loving, a professor at Passaic Community College in New Jersey, those slices of lemon we get at eateries contain everything from fecal bacteria to micro-organisms that cause staph infection. After noticing a waitress' fingers dip into her soda, along with her lemon, Loving was inspired to conduct a study. Of the 76 lemons (from 21 New Jersey restaurants) that were examined, a whopping 77% (or 2 out of 3) had some form of bacteria. One had a grand total of 6 different micro-organisms, 3 of which are found in fecal matter. Though some had nasties only on either the rind or the pulp, 29% had them on both.

Although it's probably nothing too much to worry about, those with compromised immune systems should always be careful.

SOLUTION:

AT HOME: simply scrub the lemon (or lime) in soapy water before use, and make sure you slice the lemons using a clean cutting board, knife and clean hands.

AWAY FROM HOME: Ask how the restaurant handles their lemon slicing, although it's probably simpler to just say no. But, for those who need that extra zip in their water and don't want to risk getting sick from a contaminated lemon slice, there's a product you can buy at truelemon.com. It's an all-natural, crystallized lemon and lime product that comes in packets, or a shaker. Although I haven't tried it yet, it sounds like an interesting alternative.