Life Extension

To understand the role of calcium in the life extension realm, we must first take a look at how the body processes calcium in both good and harmful ways. In many ways calcium is a beneficial element for the body. It aids in the development and maintenance of healthy bones.

But as we get older calcium begins to build in the arteries and in soft tissue. If those deposits form in living tissue they are referred to as metastatic calcium. A common type of this is arteriosclerosis. When this happens people can take a supplement known as calcium-free EDTA. This supplement removes the calcium from soft tissue and arteries without having a negative impact on the calcium in the bones. This is an important balance because calcium's positive role in the bones is vital to good health.

When calcium interacts with a cell it serves to activate the normal function of that cell. For example when a muscle cell receives calcium it contracts. When the calcium leaves the muscle cell it relaxes. In cases where the calcium remains in the muscle cell the muscle remains in a permanent state of contraction. Over time as a person ages more and more calcium builds up in the muscles and the person becomes stiffer, unable to move with the flexibility they once had. A calcium-free EDTA supplement enters the cells and removes the calcium buildup allowing the muscle to relax once again.

As the systems of the human body are all interconnected, it is not surprising then that calcium has an impact on the nervous system as well as the bones, the blood vessels and the soft tissue. Calcium is one of the four minerals that help to provide balance to the nervous system. The other three are magnesium, potassium and sodium. Magnesium and potassium work to calm the nervous system and create a positive environment for digestion, immunity and brain functions. Calcium and sodium work in an opposite way. They create the emergency response known as fight or flight.

When the body is in the hyper fight or flight mode, other functions like digestion and immunity are slowed. When a person stays in this mode for a long period of time because of elevated levels of calcium the body suffers because these functions aren't working properly. The goal then is to shift the nervous system to a state where the magnesium and potassium have a slight advantage. This is a delicate balance because the body does need to be able to react to true emergencies. Again a calcium-free EDTA can be used to reduce the level of calcium in the nervous system without having a negative impact on the calcium in the bones.

One type of calcium-free EDTA is magnesium EDTA. It is used as discussed above and also to help the body fight against infections. Calcium again is the culprit in some infections. Some infections and diseases try to shield themselves from the body's defenses by surrounding themselves with a calcium shell. The magnesium EDTA dissolves the shell and allows the body's immune system to do its job.

The role of calcium in the body is complex. It some areas like the bones it is vital for good health. While at the same time it causes harm in other areas. So the answer is not as simple as removing calcium from the diet. The answer is utilizing an equally complex supplement like a calcium-free EDTA to selectively remove only the negative calcium.