Tablets Over Liquids

Vitamin D Level

Coral Calcium vs. Active Calcium

Active Calcium & Active Calcium Chewable

New USANA Products - Blanc Balance & Calming Tea

* Blanc Balance
* Calming Tea

Does Calcium Consumption Cause Kidney Stones and Constipation?

First, the important fact is that 90% of the composition in kidney stone is calcium oxalate. Oxalate is a type of organic compound found in certain foods (such as spinach and beets), and can have chemical reactions with calcium to form the insoluble calcium oxalate. So to a certain degree, kidney stones are the result of abnormal metabolism of calcium, not because of its high intake. A broad studies have shown that sufficient daily intake of calcium may significantly reduce the risk of kidney stones. The calcium sold on market contains pretty much 100% calcium carbonate which is not a natural form of calcium, it alone is very difficult to be absorbed by human body. Without assistance of the vitamin D, taking this form of calcium basically is useless. Calcium left out without being absorbed during metabolic process is what may cause constipation and formation of stones. Although calcium utilization and absorption are equal in calcium carbonate and calcium citrate with the presence of vitamin D, calcium carbonate may cause constipation in some individuals. So put it bluntly, kidney stones and constipation are caused by taking "bad" calcium, not because of high calcium consumption!

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How to Choose Vitamin A Supplement

When we realize we are lack of vitamin A, we usually just go out buy whatever we can find at lowest possible prices, or some may go for a particular brand they believe with so called good reputation (mostly influenced by their ads, honestly). But do most of us really know what we are buying into?

Vitamin A has three functions, most notably the protection of eyesight. Vitamin A is one of the major components of rhodopsin (mostly formed by protein) in the eye retina. Rhodopsin absorbs lights and stimulates biochemical reactions, eventually causes nerves' sensitivity. Second, vitamin A can also initiate gene expressions and ultimately control cell mutation. Vitamin A also affects our immune system, taste, hearing, appetite, skin renewal and bone development. Vitamin A's another role is to control embryonic development. Retinoic acid can also regulate the expressions of certain genes, which results in dominating the muscle and organ development.

Lack of vitamin A is a common health problem in developing countries. Every year about 500,000 preschool children go blind due to vitamin A deficiency. Millions of people showed symptoms of blindness at night due to the same reason. It is estimated one million children in the world showing no symptoms at all even they are actually lack of Vitamin A.

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