MCH-Cal™ Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite
Waitaki MCH-Cal™ microcrystalline hydroxyapatite, (also known as MCHA,
ossein hydroxyapatite, MCHC, calcium hydroxyapatite) is arguably the best source of high quality calcium supplementation for delivering a truly bioavailable bone health supplement to consumers.
Consumers continue to become more discerning in their selection of nutritional supplements so when selecting calcium for a product the first issue that needs to be addressed is bioavailability.
Bioavailability has been defined by the USFDA as "the rate and extent which active substances or therapeutic moieties are absorbed and become available at the site of action" .A vast number of calcium's might deliver a large elemental calcium dose. However this does not mean the calcium will necessarily be absorbed and utilised by the body and alter serum levels - nor does it mean that will provide health benefits within the body where remediation is required. Don't be misled by the calcium level alone as a measure of a products health benefit! It begs the question, does your calcium supplement deliver, is it absorbed and is it effective?
Ruegsegger et al (1995) demonstrated a bone derived compound was more effective than calcium carbonate in increasing bone density and this is despite the fact that 10% less ossien hydroxyaptite was absorbed! Clearly it's not just the amount that's absorbed; it's about its effect at the site of action that really counts.
Bone health continues to be a key concern for modern people of all ages. It is increasingly understood that building good bone density begins when you are young by providing the nutrients that will lay the foundation for good bone health later in life. The bone density formed during growth years is the maximum bone density one can expect to have and be able to maintain in adult life. The healthy human skeleton confers mobility, flexibility and mechanical support and serves as the reservoir of calcium and other essential elements the body requires for maintaining calcium levels in the blood.
Modern lifestyles and diets may not necessarily allow for development and maintenance of ideal bone strength. From teenagers pushing their young frames to the limit with physical activity to members of the aging population who need to sustain and in many cases enhance their bone strength. Bone density and overall bone health is critical and can only be addressed with a truly bio-available form of calcium.
Calcium is not only required for optimal bone health it is also necessary for nerve impulse transmission and normal muscle contractions. More recent research suggests that other benefits may include weight management, colon health and the maintenance of healthy blood pressure.
MCH-Cal™ is a bone derived calcium supplement. It contains all the natural elements present in healthy bone including microcrystalline hydroxyapatite (crystalline calcium and phosphorous in the same 2:1 ratio as it naturally occurs in the body) collagen, amino acids, glycosaminoglycans and a broad range of essential trace elements. For example the importance of magnesium has been deminstrated by Sojka et al (1995) and Wallach (1989).
Seeling (1989) demonstrated that high calcium intake can intensify magnesium deficiency. Clearly one element alone will not fulfil the needs of the body to maintain optimal bone health Many other calcium supplements simply do not deliver these other essential trace elements which are known to be required for the assimilation of calcium at the site of action
When looking at the effectiveness of calcium supplements we must look at more than simple absorption. Bioavailability, the ability of the calcium to be utilised at the site of action is the most critical factor. To quote Murray (1998) on bone health
"Bone is dependent on a constant supply of many nutrients. A deficiency of any one of these nutrients, even in the presence of adequate calcium levels, will adversely affect bone health."
The only calcium supplement that provides all the nutrients required by bone is a whole bone extract - MCH - Cal™ microcrystalline hydroxyapatite.
Research has shown the beneficial effects of whole bone extracts, not only in comparison to control groups but also compared to other forms of calcium. In post-menopausal women whole bone extracts have been shown to maintain bone density in healthy women and to be better at slowing bone loss in women showing signs of osteoporosis.
Why is MCH-Cal™ superior to bone meals or ashed bone? MCH-Cal™ has been processed by freeze drying; the low temperatures maintain the naturally occurring nutrients and minerals in their original form. Bone meal and ashed bone have had many of the key components, the protein in particular, removed. Annefeld et al (1986) demonstrated the importance of the protein fraction. The absence of the organic fraction (protein) in ashed bone products reduced the products effectiveness.
Using MCH-Cal™
One of the attractions of MCH-Cal™ as a calcium supplement is that MCH-Cal™ can be utilised in numerous delivery systems depending on the desired application. Popular options include capsule, tablet, sachet and liquid calcium suspensions. Functional foods are also fantastic delivery vectors for this style of product. It is also able to be blended into feeds and feed supplements for animal applications.
For further information on MCH-Cal™ click here.