Forbones Xtra D – Vitamin D & Calcium Supplement
Forbones Xtra D is a calcium supplement made for people who need additional calcium but want to avoid the excess gas that can come from calcium carbonate supplements. Forbones Xtra D is a calcium phosphate supplement that provides the body with phosphorus, vitamin D, and other essential vitamins that promote bone health and reduce the effects of malabsorption.
Functions of Calcium, Phosphorus, & Vitamin D
The Role Of Calcium
Calcium is one of the most plentiful minerals found in the human body. While our teeth and bones contain the majority of our calcium, it can also be found in nerve cells, blood, body tissues, and other body fluids. Calcium is one of the most important minerals in the body. It helps build and maintain strong bones and teeth, regulate muscle contractions, decrease blood clots, release hormones and other essential chemicals, regulate a normal heartbeat, and help send and receive nerve signals.
The Role of Phosphorus
The mineral phosphorus makes up 1 percent of a person’s total body weight. It is the second most abundant mineral in the human body. Although present in every cell of the body, most of our phosphorus can be found in the bones and teeth. In addition to supporting the formation of bones and teeth, it also helps the body use carbohydrates and fats, make protein for growth, and repair and maintain cells and tissues. In conjunction with B vitamins, phosphorus also supports the function of the kidneys, muscles, heart, and nerve signaling.
The Role of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is one of the most important nutrients, specifically because of its ability to help our bodies absorb calcium and promote bone growth. Vitamin D is primarily obtained through diet and exposure to sunlight. However, various population studies have shown that many North Americans and Europeans, particularly during winter months when sun exposure is reduced, are not receiving sufficient amounts of vitamin D. Deficiencies in vitamin D have been linked to osteoporosis, breast cancer, colon cancer, heart disease, and other maladies.
Calcium Deficiency Diseases
Hypocalcemia
Also known as calcium deficiency disease, hypocalcemia is a condition that occurs when calcium levels in the blood are low. When your body is not getting the calcium it needs, it will begin to leach calcium from your bones to make up for the deficiency. While early stages of calcium deficiency may not cause symptoms, these will become more present as the condition progresses.
What Are Symptoms Of Hypocalcemia?
Because calcium is so critical throughout the body, the symptoms of deficiency can show up just about anywhere and in a variety of manifestations. Below are some common symptoms of calcium deficiency.
Muscle problems
Extreme fatigue
Poor appetite
Weak nails and skin
Osteopenia
Osteoporosis
Neurological symptoms (memory loss, numbness, tingling, etc.)
Depression
Dental problems
Painful premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Calcium Deficiency Can Lead To Osteopenia
A deficiency in calcium can lead to osteopenia. This is a condition where you have a lower bone density than normal. It is often considered to be the point between healthy bones and osteoporosis. This is a common condition for older adults, and according to this research, half of Americans older than 50 get osteopenia. Unlike osteoporosis, however, those with osteopenia likely won’t have their bones break easily, but they are more susceptible to bone problems and breaks. Osteopenia typically doesn’t cause symptoms. While everybody’s bones get weaker as they age, certain habits and lifestyle choices can accelerate the process. These choices include smoking, not getting enough calcium and vitamin D, drinking too much alcohol, and not exercising regularly.
Calcium Deficiency Can Lead To Osteoporosis
Calcium deficiency can cause osteoporosis, a bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, doesn’t make enough bone, or both. This condition makes bones very weak and brittle — so much so, that they may break from a fall or, in serious cases, from a minor bump. Osteoporosis is a common condition, and some studies suggest that “due primarily to the aging of the population, the prevalence of osteoporosis and low bone mass is expected to increase. By 2020, one in two Americans over age 50 is expected to have or be at risk of developing osteoporosis of the hip.”
How Is Hypocalcemia Diagnosed?
If you have any of the symptoms of hypocalcemia, it is important that you contact your doctor. Your doctor will be able to evaluate your medical history, family history, and take samples to get an accurate reading of your total calcium level. This will include blood work that looks at your calcium level, albumin level, and “free” (ionized) calcium level. In addition to blood tests, your doctor may also conduct a physical exam that looks specifically at your hair, skin, muscles, and neuromuscular excitability.
One reliable indicator is a Trousseau’s Sign — a hand spasm that is brought on by inflation of a blood pressure cuff. This is a condition that is present in 94 percent of patients with hypocalcemia and just 1 percent of those without hypocalcemia.
What Causes Calcium Deficiency?
Hypocalcemia does not happen overnight. It often takes years before your body begins to manifest physical symptoms. This being said, there are a number of known causes of calcium deficiency. Keep these causes in mind before symptoms of deficiency start to appear.
Lack Of Calcium In Diet
Although this could probably go without saying, given its importance, it is worth stating. Over long periods, a lack of a calcium-rich diet is the primary cause of a calcium deficiency. Another important nutrient that goes hand-in-hand with calcium is vitamin D. By ensuring that you get enough vitamin D in your diet, you can dramatically help improve calcium absorption.
How much calcium should I be consuming?
According to this study by the National Institutes of Health, adults over the age of 19 should be receiving between 1,000 – 1,200mg of calcium each day (keep in mind that this number can vary depending on your gender).
Prescription Medications
Some medications have been linked to a decrease in calcium absorption. Particularly, medications like PPIs, lipid-lowering statins, diuretics, anticonvulsants, and corticosteroids have all shown signs of interfering with your body’s ability to absorb nutrients, thereby causing calcium and vitamin D levels to decrease.
Dietary Intolerance
Certain dietary restrictions, like lactose intolerance and dairy allergies, are a common cause of calcium deficiency. When your diet restricts you from consuming a whole calcium-rich food group, it can be difficult to find adequate dietary sources of calcium. Similarly, malabsorption of nutrients, inflammation, and bone loss are common for those who experience gluten intolerance symptoms and celiac symptoms. If you have dietary restrictions, it is crucial to consult with a dietary specialist to find suitable plant- and animal-based calcium sources.
Genetic Factors
Hereditary defects can mutate the vitamin D receptor and cause vitamin D-resistant syndromes. This type of condition has a direct effect on the body’s ability to absorb calcium. Determining the presence of any genetic conditions through the evaluation of organ systems and hormone levels can help provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Malabsorption
Malabsorption refers to a number of disorders that prevent your body from fully reaping the benefits of the vitamins and minerals you consume. Malabsorption can be caused by certain diseases, like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, and short bowel syndrome. Additionally, certain surgeries for weight reduction, especially bypass surgery, can impair fat absorption and thus Vitamin D absorption.
Age
Children and infants absorb around 60 percent of the calcium they consume. As you age, this rate slowly decreases. By the time you reach adulthood you likely only absorb 15 to 20 percent of the calcium you consume. This low percentage can make it very difficult for older adults to get a sufficient amount of calcium simply through diet alone. Many turn to calcium plus vitamin D supplements to fill this nutritional gap.
Hormonal Changes
The body regularly experiences hormonal changes. One such change that can rapidly affect bone density is when women experience a decline in estrogen during menopause. This reduction of estrogen can cause low parathyroid hormone levels that can impact your body’s ability to effectively absorb calcium.
Who Is Most At Risk For Calcium Deficiency Diseases?
According to a report published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, the following groups are most likely to develop calcium deficiencies:
Adolescent girls and boys
Older adults
Teenagers
Minorities
People who have a dairy intolerance
People who are overweight
Most people reach their peak bone mass around the age of 40. After this point, we begin to lose around 1 percent of our total bone mineral density each year. This — in addition to the fact that as you age, your body’s ability to absorb vitamins and minerals also declines — makes sufficient calcium intake a top priority. This is why it is recommended for older adults to increase their calcium intake.
How To Treat & Prevent Calcium Deficiency
Hypocalcemia is rarely life-threating. It is treatable and can easily be prevented by adding more calcium to your diet. However, your treatment plan is contingent upon the severity of your particular case. Below are some common ways to prevent and treat a calcium deficiency.
Eat Calcium-Rich Foods
The safest, surest, and easiest way to manage and prevent calcium deficiency is to eat more calcium-rich foods and bone-friendly nutrients. Unfortunately, according to this study, most people are not getting a sufficient amount of calcium through food alone. Some of these foods include:
Dairy products — milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.
Beans
Broccoli
Collard greens
Sardines
Salmon
Ricotta
Tofu
Soy milk
Almond milk
Figs
Nuts and seeds
When trying to increase the levels of calcium and vitamin D in your diet, it is important to remember that many of the foods that are rich in these nutrients are also high in saturated fat. For a more comprehensive look at calcium-rich foods, view this guide created by the National Osteoporosis Foundation.
Work With A Dietary Specialist
Whether you work with a dietitian, nutritionist, or physician who specializes in nutrition, it is critical to get your diet right. Certified health professionals can help identify foods that will promote healthy bones and ensure that you are getting the vitamins and nutrients you need. They may also recommend lifestyle changes that promote bone health — regular exercise, weight management, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol.
Try Calcium Supplements
In some cases where diet is not enough to provide an adequate amount of calcium and supporting nutrients, your doctor may advise a calcium plus vitamin D supplement. Supplementation is an easy and effective way for treating a calcium deficiency. Below are the three most common types of calcium supplements.
Calcium carbonate
Calcium citrate
Calcium phosphate
Before you begin taking a calcium supplement, consult with your doctor and never take more than the recommended dose without your doctor’s approval. While meeting your calcium requirements is crucial, you also do not want to give your body more calcium than it needs. When this happens, you can cause a condition called hypercalcemia.
Why Use Forbones Xtra D?
With diet alone, most people are not getting the calcium that they need, resulting in a variety of health problems. To combat this, Inovera set out to create one of the best calcium supplements available. We are now proud to offer a calcium supplement that is highly absorbable and designed to provide all the essential nutrients that allow calcium to work effectively in the body.
Get Calcium, Phosphorus, Vitamin D & Other Key Nutrients
Forbones Xtra D delivers 400 mg of elemental calcium and 300 mg of elemental phosphorus. This means that with just two to three tablets daily, you can likely get all the calcium and phosphorus you need. Those with certain gastrointestinal conditions or who are taking corticosteroid drugs such as prednisone may need additional calcium and should consult their physician regarding their daily calcium intake.
To ensure that your body has all the vitamin D it needs to absorb and utilize the calcium, Forbones Xtra D contains a water-miscible form of vitamin D that promotes improved absorption. Learn more here.
Avoid Excess Gas and Stomach Pain
Many calcium supplements use a form of calcium called calcium carbonate. This is the most popular form of calcium in dietary supplements because it is relatively inexpensive and not as bulky as other forms. However, the primary drawback of calcium carbonate is that, upon contact with the stomach acid, the carbonate releases carbon dioxide gas, which can cause abdominal distension, pain, and discomfort.
Forbones Xtra D By Inovera
Forbones Xtra D contains no gluten, lactose, or sweeteners. It is also formulated to be highly absorbable, and its nutrients were chosen specifically for those with calcium deficiencies. Although Forbones Xtra D does not require a prescription, we do recommend that before taking Forbones Xtra D you discuss this supplement with your healthcare provider. For more information regarding ingredients and suggested use, view the Forbones Xtra D product label.
All of our multivitamins and supplements are manufactured in the United States using only the highest quality ingredients possible, and we are rigorously inspected and laboratory-tested to ensure the strictest level of quality.