From http://www.ion.ac.uk/information/onarchives/maximiseabsorption: For the minerals calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc, and to a lesser extent manganese, selenium and chromium, the presence of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, released in order to digest protein, helps their absorption.
The lesson to learn from that is to NOT take calcium when you’re also taking other minerals. Calcium will lower stomach acidity, making the absorption of the other minerals difficult. Besides, most diets are rich enough in calcium, it’s usually the magnesium that’s lacking.
This means that the minerals in a multi mineral (or complete multi with vits + mins) supplement containing calcium are most likely poorly absorbed. (http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=2092327#i and also Super immunity for kids by Leo Galland.)
From Super immunity for kids by Leo Galland:
Pages 34,36,37,87,136
- He emphesises EFA’s (essential fatty acids). High EFA foods are also high in iron, zinc and copper: beans, nuts, seafood, liver and kidney.
- essential co-factors for EFA are: A, C, B6, Magnesium, Zinc. Dr. Wright: always take vit E when you’re taking unsaturated fats. So add vit E to the co-factors here.
- Calcium – magnesium. Take separately
- Calcium can block the body’s ability to absorb zinc, iron and copper.
- Zinc interferes with the absorption of iron and vice versa.
- Taking iron supplements has no effect on magnesium levels
- High Vit C and/or zinc will block absorption of selenium.
- Too much zinc will deplete the body’s copper, selenium and manganese levels.
- Excess iron lowers magnagese levels.
- Unneeded iron blocks absorption of zinc, maganese and molybdenum.
- The combo copper and B1 and B12 produce a substance known as a “vitamin B12 analogue”, which blocks the action of B12 in the body.
Putting it all together
It can be a really difficult puzzle to figure out what to take when. So here’s an example.
Leo Galland recommends during pregnancy:
Breakfast: Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, folic acid, B5, biotin, C, D and minerals iron and copper.
Lunch: Vitamin E and minerals magnesium, selenium, chromium, iodine
Dinner: Vitamin B12 and minerals zinc, manganese
Bedtime: calcium
Even if you’re not pregnant, this provides a nice day plan for making sure every nutrient has a chance at being absorbed.
I don’t take calcium as a supplement myself. I wouldn’t even recommend it to someone who wants to strengthen his or her bones. Calcium is found in many foods.