PMMA lens

[Louise Pembroke]

I've tried taking calcium but some reason it makes me vomit!

[Andrew MacLean]

Lou, why not just take calcium in your diet:

Dietary Sources

Calcium is present in a wide range of foods. Dairy products, leafy green vegetables, nuts and seeds (almonds, brazils, sesame seeds), tofu, and dried fruit are all good sources of calcium for vegetarians. Most flour is fortified with calcium carbonate so cereals can also be a good source. Hard water may also provide calcium. Meat is a very poor source of calcium.

Calcium balance can be affected by a range of other factors. Vitamin D is essential for absorption of calcium from the gut. This is because calcium is transported into the body by a special carrier protein which requires vitamin D for its synthesis.

A number of substances can inhibit the absorption of calcium. Phytic acid, found in bran, whole cereals and raw vegetables is one of these. Uronic acid, a component of dietary fibre, and oxalic acid, found in certain fruits and vegetables can also bind calcium. However, diets habitually high in these acids are not thought to have a major effect on calcium absorption. Saturated fats can also lessen calcium absorption.

Calcium is lost in the faeces, urine and sweat. Calcium loss is roughly equal to dietary calcium in adults. Calcium loss is reduced if dietary calcium is low. Adaptation to both high and low calcium intakes occur. Reduced intake leads to increased efficiency of absorption. In infants and children calcium is retained for new bone growth. Calcium is also lost during lactation in breast milk.

Quoted from:
http://www.vegsoc.org/info/calcium.html

[Louise Pembroke]

vit D obtained in sunlight too right?

[Andrew MacLean]

I found this in Wickipedia

Vitamin D refers to a group of fat-soluble prohormones, the two major forms of which are vitamin D2 (or ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (or cholecalciferol).[1] The term vitamin D also refers to metabolites and other analogues of these substances. Vitamin D3 is produced in skin exposed to sunlight, specifically ultraviolet B radiation.

Vitamin D plays an important role in the maintenance of several organ systems.[2]

Vitamin D regulates the calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood by promoting their absorption from food in the intestines, and by promoting re-absorption of calcium in the kidneys.
It promotes bone formation and mineralization and is essential in the development of an intact and strong skeleton.
It inhibits parathyroid hormone secretion from the parathyroid gland.
Vitamin D affects the immune system by promoting immunosuppression and anti-tumor activity.

I think for the present purpose we may be talking about the metabolites.

Andrew

[Louise Pembroke]

yep

[GarethB]

Louise,

Calcium making you vomit is probably the form the calcium is in reacting violently with your stomach acid. I get the same with anything for indigestion, which is why I am careful with what I eat.

[GarethB]

Anne,

I know what my asthema is down to and is not exactly alergy related which is why I can use breathing techneques. The only thing I react to is certain types of cat hair, but again for me breathing techneques help.

Many asthema treatments relax the muscles to open up the air ways just like relaxing the muscles does.

Medication has a very important role to play in asthema treatment. I used to use an inhaler and the breathing exercises when I played Rugby. I would deliberatly induce an asthema attack (risky I know) and then through breathing bring it under control. It meant most the time I could play a full game of Rugby without reaching for the inhaler.

I feel today we are too relient on drugs and we should be using them less but in conjuction with complementary medicine. Very rarely do I use drugs for my back problems, instead I use accupuncter and again relaxation exercises to release the mscle spasm.

Last year I took part in an Asthema Campaign study into its treatment where patients, doctors, nurses and even the drug manufacturers were asked a set of questions. Primary aim was to find if the best advice was being given. It was frightening to find a huge propertion of asthema sufferers used inhalers incorrectly and the number of medical proffesionsal teaching people how to use the medication incorrectly from the start! Drug manufacturers test the products under very strict conditions and the simplest and one of the most critical things on correct use of the product does not make it on the patient leaflet. They all need to be primed if not used for a while, shaken a specific way for a specific period of time (not always the same between drugs) and then you need to be very precise with your co-ordination to get the correct drug delivery to your lungs. Blame for incorrect medication use the spread equally between all groups. Patient were included because many admited on the questionaire they never read the information leaflet or ask how they should use the medicine properly.

[Anne B]

Gareth, i cannot see why anyone would want to induce a asthma attack surly this is damaging to the lungs as much as using a low dose steriod preventative inhaler?
I can understand the use for alternative medicine for something like backache but asthma can be life threatening and i will always use my preventative inhaler.
I attend a asthma clinic every 6 months at my GPs where you have to show them how you use your inhaler, I have been told that i am excellent

Anne

[GarethB]

Anne,

PM's you so we do not detract from Liz's post.

[Anne B]

Ok Gareth no need to get shirty!!!!!!!