Research findings

The major constituents of mature bone are calcium and phosphate and the organic matrix components, collagen, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans. The inorganic elements calcium and phosphate are present in a specific ratio that leads to the formation of apatite structures.

With increasing age and with a number of medical conditions, there is a loss of integrity of the bone. There are a variety of medical conditions that can disturb the structure. Some of them are a direct dysfunction of the bone, others may be due to hormonal imbalances that lead to the defective metabolism of the bone cells. This can be due to a number of factors such as a change in the calcium or the phosphate such that the specific ratio is disturbed. There can be an increased degradation and/or decreased rate of synthesis of matrix components, particularly the collagen and the GAGs. These conditions and changes are somewhat universal being common to human and many animal species.

Using Kalsio® as a replacement for the loss of bone is beneficial as it is a natural food. One advantage is that it is derived from fish bone which means that the constituents, especially the calcium and phosphorus are supplied in the correct ratio to what is found in bone. If the ratio was
disproportionate to that found naturally in bone there could be detrimental consequences (1, 2).

Kalsio® additionally provides improved bioavailability of calcium. It increases the retention of calcium and extent of bone mineral loss. Consequently there is increased bone strength and bone mineral density (1).

As well Kalsio® provides collagen (1). So, in addition to the calcium and phosphorus being available in the natural ratio from fish bone, the availability of collagen provides another essential component of bone. This is undoubtedly beneficial for maintaining good bone structure and function (2, 3).

Kalsio® has been the subject of intensive scientific studies. These expected benefits have been confirmed. But additionally it has been shown that digestion of the protein of these products with pepsin (a natural process of the stomach) results in a greater release and availability of calcium (3, 4). Also these investigations have shown that there is better transport of the calcium across the gut wall when these products are used as compared with calcium tablets (4).

Fish bone peptide preparations satisfy many of these requirements and expectations. They contain both calcium and phosphorus in the ideal ratio and also the collagenous protein. Consequently they have properties and features that make them more beneficial than a number of other bone
supplements (3). These properties of collagen and fish bone peptides were determined and the added transportation benefits of collagen and fish bone peptides have been established. These features provide further support to the role of these preparations in bone repair.

Fish bone peptides also provide better bioavailability of calcium and phosphorus compared with inorganic calcium (4). The reason for this is not completely clear but it may be related to the presence of calcium binding peptides in digests of the bone from fish (5).

An additional benefit of these products is that they affect the osteoblast and osteoclast cells of bone (6). The former are responsible for the production of key constituents of bone such as collagen and they stimulate these cells. The osteoclasts are the cells that are responsible for the degradation of bone and their metabolic activities are inhibited by this product.

So clearly Kalsio® is very effective at maintaining bone health. Kalsio® clearly has multiple beneficial bioactivities which provide considerable advantages over and above other calcium supplements.

References

1. Logesh, Ar, Pravinkumar, M, Raffi, SM, Kalaiselvam, M (2012). Calcium and phosphorus determination in bones of low value fishes, Sardinella longiceps (Valenciennes) and Trichiurus savala (Cuvier) from Parangipettai Southeastc Coast of India. Asian Pacific J Tropical Diseases S254-S256.
2. Drs Foster and Smith Educational Staff. Calcium and Phosphorus Requirements for Dogs
3. Investigation of Gut Transport Properties and Composition of Test Samples. Report to Natural Health (NZ) Ltd from Trinity Bioactives Ltd.
4. Jung, W-K, Lee, B-J, Kim (S-K) (2006). Fish-bone peptide increase calcium solubility and bioavailability in ovarectomised rats. Brit J Nutrition. 95: 124 – 128.
5. Jung, W-K, Kim, S-K (2007). Calcium-binding peptide derived from pepsinolytic hydrolysates of hoki (Johnius belengerii) frame. Europ Food Res Technol. 224: 763-767.
6. Chua, W-H, Plimmer, G, Kruger, MC (2014)> Summary of findings: The effect of a MCHC fish bone powder on osteoblast function and osteoclast-precursor differentiation. Report Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Dr Paul Davis – Trinity Bioactives Ltd. New Zealand.