Code: VDN302Brand: Viridian
Viridian Bone Complex 90 Capsules
Information: Viridian’s Bone Complex is an advanced formulation providing highly bio-available forms of calcium and magnesium, along with the synergistic support of vitamin K2 and D2 to maximise activation of proteins, central to bone mineralisation and to help aid in the maintenance of a healthy skeletal system. The formula provides calcium and magnesium on a 1:1 ratio.
· Calcium - Osteoporosis is characterised by reduced bone mass resulting in increased skeletal fragility and susceptibility to fractures. Many nutrients are important to bone health but calcium is the one most likely to be deficient. In addition to calcium’s role within the structure of bone, its concentration in the blood activates controlling mechanisms on the release of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin release. These hormones directly influence the dynamic movement of calcium in and out of bone tissue.
· Magnesium - Magnesium supplementation is as important as calcium supplementation in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. Women with osteoporosis have lower bone magnesium content and other indicators of magnesium deficiency than women without osteoporosis. Vitamin D levels have also been found to be low in magnesium deficient osteoporosis sufferers – this may be because magnesium is required for an enzyme that converts vitamin D its most active form (1,25-(OH)2D3).
· Vitamin C - Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an important nutrient within this formula due to the known benefits of vitamin C on collagen production (e.g. bone matrix). Ascorbic acid can also act as a solubilising agent and provide a highly bio-available form as calcium ascorbate. Additional benefits include antioxidant activity, immune function, and cardiovascular maintenance.
· Malic Acid – It would appear that calcium presented as a citrate/malate salt offers high solubility with superior absorption. Malic acid is a very effective chelation creating a reaction in the stomach to enhance absorption of minerals. The acid reacts with the mineral to break the bonds with its original inorganic chelation agent. This frees the mineral to bond with the malic acid to create a malate or allows the free mineral to chelate to other organic bonds available in the stomach, i.e. citric acid (citrate), proteins (amino acid chelate) and so on. These more effective chelation agents allow for better absorption. It has been shown that calcium carbonate can have a 4-5% absorption rate, adding malic acid can increase the absorption to around 30-40%.
· Vitamin K2 (Mena-Q7) - a deficiency of vitamin K leads to impaired bone mineralisation because of inadequate osteocalcin levels. Osteocalcin and Matrix Gla protein (MGP) are the two best known and characterized calcium binding proteins. Osteocalcin is synthesized by the bone forming cells - the osteoblasts. It plays an important role in binding of calcium to hydroxyapatite – the inorganic bone material which composes about 70% of the total bone mass. The severity of fractures has been shown to correlate with circulating vitamin K levels. Vitamin K’s presence in green leafy vegetables may be one of the protective factors of a vegetarian diet against osteoporosis.
· Boron - Boron appears to assist in healthy bone formation through its effects on calcium and vitamin D metabolism. Post menopausal women fed a low-boron diet have shown decreased concentrations of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol. Changes caused by boron deprivation have demonstrated depressed plasma ionised calcium and calcitonin as well as elevated plasma total calcium and urinary excretion of calcium. In one human study, magnesium deprivation depressed plasma ionised calcium and cholesterol. Because boron and/or magnesium deprivation causes changes similar to those seen in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis, these elements are apparently needed for optimal calcium metabolism and are thus needed to prevent the excessive bone loss which often occurs in postmenopausal women and older men.
· Vitamin D2 - There are two major food forms of vitamin D – vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol - plant derived) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol – animal derived). Vitamin D2 is the plant-sourced form most often added to milk and other foods and nutritional supplements. The major biological function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones. Recently, research also suggests vitamin D may provide protection from osteoporosis. Vitamin D levels have also been found to be low in magnesium deficient osteoporosis sufferers – this may be because magnesium is required for an enzyme that converts vitamin D into its most active form (1,25-(OH)2D3).
Recommended Intake: Four capsules daily with food, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.
Caution: Not recommended for use during pregnancy unless recommended by a physician. Patients with hyperparathyroidism, severe heart disease or cancer should consult their physician before introducing calcium/magnesium supplementation.
Interactions: Vitamin D is required for effective absorption of calcium. Calcium in either food or supplemental form has been shown to inhibit iron absorption by 49 to 62% when ingested together. Caffeine increases urinary output of calcium.
