The old sayings that two heads are better than one and that a duet of performers often is greater than the sum of their parts applies to natural remedies as well. Almost all supplements or herbs do quite well on their own in targeting and treating health needs or issues, but sometimes two or more can mesh well in one combined supplement.
That’s the gist of this new series that we are kicking off with this blog. We start by taking a look at calcium and phosphorus, which together make a tandem supplement known as calcium phosphorus, sometimes more formally referred to as calcium phosphate.
It makes a lot of sense putting these two elements together. Each, on their own, function well in helping to build strong bones and teeth while also playing a key role, when back together, for bodily actions such as muscle function, nerve signaling, and energy production.
It’s almost uncanny how this partnership works so well naturally regarding the bones and teeth, especially. Together, calcium and phosphorus produce a mineral know as hydroxyapatite (HAP), which provides the requisite rigidity and strength to bones and teeth. It also so happens that phosphorus is a significant constituent of bone structure while calcium is needed to manufacture and maintain bone mass properly.
Calcium itself not only supports healthy bone development, all the way from birth to adulthood, but it also has a positive influence in supporting healthy digestion, assisting in bile acid metabolism, the expulsion of unneeded fatty acid, and the wellness of gut microbiota.
The Roles of Calcium and Phosphate, Together or Apart, Are Extensive
Even as teammates, so to speak, calcium and phosphorus each have other roles in supporting our health as well. Phosphorus, for instance, is an important ingredient in adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which happens to be the main molecule in our bodies tasked with carrying energy where it needs to go. It is also involved in helping to produce DNA and RNA, which are the chief genetic building blocks in your body; fixing cells and tissues that have been harmed; and serving as an essential substance to allow an enzyme to perform as a catalyst, in effect activating those enzymes required for key metabolic pathways. Calcium phosphate really gets around as it can also be found in antacids, toothpaste, fragrances, and fertilizer, among other common products available to the public.
For good measure, calcium is also indispensable for the blood-clotting process; otherwise you would be at risk for bleeding out even in the event of suffering just a moderate cut somewhere on your body.
Something else helpful to know about calcium and phosphorus is that each can be found in a variety of foods found in a healthy diet. Good edible sources of phosphorus include proteins such as chicken, pork, fish, and beef as well as eggs, nuts, beans, and lentils. Calcium is probably best known for its abundance in dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, but it also shows up in bony fish (e.g., sardines and salmon), almonds, sesame seeds, and leafy greens such as kale.
It stands to reason that calcium phosphorus supplements are a handy means of closing the gaps related to deficiencies of either mineral in your body. But before adding calcium phosphorus to your daily regimen, be sure to discuss its use with your personal physician or other properly licensed healthcare professional.