Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body, with 99 % found in bones and teeth. The remaining one percent is responsible for strengthening cell membranes. Calcium supports the nervous system, hormone formations and proper blood clotting.Research continues to point to calcium deficiency as the primary cause of osteoporosis, the demineralization of bones. Osteoporosis occurs mostly in postmenopausal women, causing approximately 200,000 deaths a year, more than claimed by cancer of the breast, cervix and uterus combined! This condition referred to as “brittle bones” seems to be the result of a diet deficient over a period of years in calcium, compounded by a lower absorption of this essential element due to aging digestive organs. With the support of medical research, the market has been flooded with calcium supplements, many which fail to take into consideration calcium metabolism. A mineral that is not absorbed cannot get into the bones; it just floats in the blood stream and then forms deposits in the joints. The amount absorbed is more important than the quantity consumed. An interesting study found that calcium from bone meal/powder is absorbed 1.13 times more than calcium carbonate, the variety found in most supplements. Magnesium: An essential mineral, magnesium’s chief function is to activate certain enzymes, especially those related to carbohydrate metabolism. Another role it plays is to maintain the electrical potential across nerve and muscle membranes. Although about 70 percent of the body’s magnesium is contained in the teeth and bones, its most important functions are carried out by the remainder, which is present in the cells of the soft tissues and in the fluid surrounding those cells. Orotate: An oratic acid salt (nucleic acid), Orotate is an effective molecule for transporting minerals through cellular membranes. Orotate functions as an essential part of every living cell. This formulation uses the orotate forms of calcium and magnesium for maximum bioavailability. Boron: This is a mineral that may play a role in maintaining strong bones, affecting calcium and magnesium metabolism and proper membrane function. Supplements with boron have been shown to reduce the urinary excretion of calcium and magnesium. Boron assists in synthesizing and raising the level of estrogen and testosterone in older women, thereby playing a major role in preventing bone loss. Potassium: Potassium is important in controlling the activity of the heart, muscles, nervous system and just about every cell in the body. It regulates the water balance and acid-base balance in the blood and tissues, and evidence shows that potassium is also involved in bone calcification. MSM: Methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, supports the body’s connective tissue and may benefit a huge range of health problems including allergies, arthritis, gastro-intestinal issues, acid stomach, muscle and joint pains, and lung problems. Vitamin D: A fat soluble vitamin essential to one’s health, vitamin D regulates the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the blood by improving their absorption and utilization. This vitamin is necessary for normal growth and formation of bones and teeth. Pyridoxine: The active form of Vitamin B-6, Pyridoxine is a B-complex vitamin that plays a role as a coenzyme in the breakdown and utilization of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. It facilitates the release of glycogen for energy from the liver and muscles. It also participates in the utilization of energy in the brain and nervous tissue and is essential for the regulation of the central nervous system. Vitamin K2: Recently, the journal ScienceDaily published a study in which Vitamin K2 showed great potential for Parkinson’s disease. Like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s is associated with malfunctioning mitochondria. When brain cells do not have enough energy, they begin to die off, disrupting signals and causing movement impediments. In the study, fruit flies that were given the Parkin mutation were no longer able to fly. K2 supplementation improved mitochondrial energy and restored flying ability. Medical research has shown that the addition of calcium supplements to the diet can restore strength to the bones, particularly when the calcium is balanced with minerals that enhance the absorption and utilization of this important element, as in our Opti-Cal/Mag Complex with Vitamin K2.