Just Ask Terry

Terry is happy to provide his opinion on diet and nutrition, supplements and lifestyle choices. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your physician and is not to be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you have any concerns please contact your physician directly.

Q. Dear Terry, “I am taking calcium/magnesium at the recommended 2:1 ratio. I want to try and improve my bone strength and my brittle nails. The problem is that I am constantly constipated from this product. Is there something else I can take for bones and nails that won’t cause constipation?” —Karen M, Owatonna, MN A. Dear Karen, Many people, for one reason or another, have difficulty with calcium/magnesium supplements. You may want to try increasing calcium from dietary sources, such as dark green leafy vegetables, or if you don’t have issues with milk, dairy products. However, I much prefer dairy products made from organic goat’s milk. I think dairy items (milk, yogurt, cheese) made with goat’s milk is healthier and easier on the digestive system. Also, make sure you are getting good daily amounts of dietary fiber, as fiber plays a role in calcium absorption from food. An excellent supplement that you may want to try is silica. This mineral is excellent for helping build strong bones and healthy hair and nails. For the best results, I recommend a bioavailable form of organic silica with bioflavonoids and marine lipids to get good absorption. This form of silica was clinically tested and shown to increase calcium absorption into bones by as much as 50% or more. Start with 4-6 tablets daily for a few weeks to build up your reserves and then 1-2 tablets daily thereafter. It does take a little time for nails to grow, so be patient, but I know you will see results.