Is Red Algae Calcium Better Than Regular Calcium?
Red Algae Calcium vs. Inorganic Calcium
Red algae calcium supplements are made from the calcified remains of red algae, Lithothamnion calcareum, which is found in just three locations in the world. The algae itself gathers minerals naturally from the sea during its lifetime and at the end of its life cycle it leaves behind skeletal remains that contain calcium, magnesium, iron and several other trace minerals which are excellent for bone tissue and general health. These remains are harvested, processed and then placed in capsules for human consumption.
As the algae itself is not killed in the process it is also a natural and organic source of these minerals should the red marine algae be harvested in a sustainable manner.
Calcified remains of red algae.
On the other hand, most calcium in traditional dietary supplements is purely calcium carbonate, sourced from lime-rock and other inorganic sources. It is produced by extracting the calcium carbonate from the inorganic source through a complex process involving the use of large amounts of chemicals and then purified to contain nearly only calcium carbonate, which is placed in capsules or pressed into tablets for human consumption.
While dietary supplements from red algae are also mostly calcium carbonate the base crystal structure of the mineral is different and they also contain a considerable amount of other minerals derived from the sea where the algae live. It is believed that the additional minerals and difference in base structure are the cause of the additional benefits obtained from the consumption of red algae calcium supplements compared to regular calcium supplements.
Calcium carbonate powder sourced from rocks.
Why Calcium From Red Algae?
The calcium found in calcified algae remains is of course no different from calcium derived from lime rock. There can however be considerable differences in how the digestive tract and the human body deal with calcium from these two very different sources. Unlike calcium from lime rock which has usually been purified, red algae calcium dietary supplements contain a vast amount of other minerals, 74 in total, which seem to have a positive effect on how the body digests and absorbs calcium.
Research on Algae Based Calcium Supplements
There have been scientific studies showing that red algae calcium has a wide range of positive effects beyond that of the traditional type. For example, studies on the benefits of red algae have shown a positive effect in warding off osteoporosis (Aslam, MN, 2010), osteoarthritis (Frestedt JL, 2008) and nearly eliminating colon polyp formation (Aslam, MN, 2012). The full reference for the studies mentioned in this article are at the bottom of this page.
A study by Frestedt, et al. published in 2009 investigated the potential benefits of a natural algae-derived mineral supplement called Aquamin F for knee osteoarthritis. Aquamin F is a multi-mineral supplement derived from the red algae Lithothamnion sp., which is rich in calcium, magnesium, and other minerals.
The study involved 22 participants with knee osteoarthritis who were randomly assigned to receive either Aquamin F or a placebo for 12 weeks. The participants were evaluated at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks using several measures of knee pain and function, including the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), 6 minute walking distance (6 MWD) and range of motion (ROM).
The results showed that the group receiving the red algae calcium supplement had significant improvements in the fore mentioned measurements. In contrast, the placebo group showed no significant changes in these measures.
The authors conclude that red algae calcium may be a safe and effective supplement for improving knee pain and function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings and to determine the optimal dose and duration of supplementation.
Another highly interesting study suggests that red algae mineral supplements are able to restore bone density (Michalek JE, 2011). How this happens is unclear and future studies are needed to determine the cause of this interesting effect as it could have wide-ranging effects on the health of the elderly.
As can be seen in the chart below, bone density starts to reduce soon after the age of 40 and women lose a significant amount of bone density between the age of 50 and 60. If confirmed through further studies, the use of red algae mineral supplements will become a mainstream recommendation for the preservation and restoration of bone mass.
And even though scientific studies have not confirmed this fact, there is no reason to wait if you are in the age range that experiences the greatest loss of bone mass.
Bone density peaks at about 30 years of age. Women lose bone mass more rapidly than men. Regular algae calcium supplementing may reverse this trend.
There have also been studies that link increased risk of heart attacks and calcium carbonate dietary supplements (Kuanrong Li, 2012). This study showed that increased calcium intake from food sources such as vegetables reduced the chances of heart attacks, while taking traditional calcium supplements increased the chances of heart attacks by as much as 86%. It should be noted that this study is being contested, yet it does present a plausible case.
Since foods that contain calcium also contain a variety of other minerals as well, it is reasonable to assume that using calcium supplements that originate from red algae would behave more like plants and not increase the risk of heart attacks as opposed to supplements derived from lime rock. There have however been no studies to test this as of yet.
Typical Mineral Content of Calcified Red Algae Remains
| Mineral | micrograms/gram |
|---|---|
Aluminum | 291 |
Barium | 64.2 |
Boron | 39.5 |
Bromide | 10.1 |
Calcium | 351,500 |
Carbon | 122,000 |
Chloride | 910 |
Copper | 4.89 |
Iodine | 32.8 |
Iron | 915 |
Magnesium | 25,800 |
Manganese | 57.5 |
Phosphorous | 310 |
Silicon | 504 |
Titanium | 27.8 |
What About Calcium Directly From Plants?
Obviously the very best dietary practice is to eat a well-balanced diet, filled with nutritious vegetables, dairy products, fruits, nuts and other goodies to get your necessary daily amount of calcium and other minerals and nutrients.
However, in some cases that may not be sufficient, or there might be a need to ensure a daily intake of calcium at precise time intervals. There might also be problems getting enough daily calcium due to dietary restrictions such as lactose intolerance.
In those cases, it would seem that dietary supplements derived from the Lithothamnion calcareum red algae are the best possible choice overall to ensure the necessary daily amount.
Broccoli. A plant filled with nutrients and goodies and a good source of natural calcium.
Calcium Supplements and Weightlifting
And lastly, as I'm a weightlifter, calcium plays an important part in my own diet. Calcium is important for the transportation of amino acids and creatine, it helps with getting good sleep by relieving stress and supporting the muscle's ability to relax between contractions. I personally prefer to supplement my meals with red mineral algae calcium from NOW, as my normal daily meals do not contain enough calcium for my activities. That way I feel I get the benefits of supplementation without the added risk of heart disease.
References
Aslam MN et al. A Mineral-Rich Extract from the Red Marine Algae Lithothamnion calcareum Preserves Bone Structure and Function in Female Mice on a Western-Style Diet. Calcif Tissue Int. 2010;86:313–324.
Aslam MN, Bergin I, Naik M, Paruchuri T, Hampton A, Rehman M, et al. A multimineral natural product from red marine algae reduces colon polyp formation in C57BL/6 mice. Nutr Cancer (2012) 64:1020–8
Frestedt JL, Walsh M, Kuskowski MA, Zenk JL. A natural mineral supplement provides relief from knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a randomized controlled pilot trial. Nutr J. 2008
Li K, Kaaks R, Linseisen J, Rohrmann S, Associations of dietary calcium intake and calcium supplementation with myocardial infarction and stroke risk and overall cardiovascular mortality in the Heidelberg cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study (EPIC-Heidelberg). Heart 2012;98
Michalek JE, Preuss HG, Croft HA, Keith PL, Keith SC, Dapilmoto M, Periicone NV, Leckie RB, Kaats GR. Changes in total body bone mineral density following a common bone health plan with two versions of a unique bone health supplement: a comparative effectiveness research study. Nutrition Journal 2011, 10:32.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.
© 2016 Jon Sigurdsson
