Doug Lucas and Algaecal Plus???

Posted by hikernurse @hikernurse, Apr 2, 2024

recent you tube has Doug Lucas teaming up with Algaecal and recommending Algaecal Plus (no strontium). I was surprised!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

Before anyone sends Doug Lucas your credit card number, please read the write up on ConsumerLab.com on AlgaeCal. You’ll find it under the Calcium and Bone Health section. I researched the product and you will likely agree AlgaeCAL mostly hype.

1. There are no clinical studies comparing AlgaeCAL or AlgaeCAL Plus to other forms of calcium in people. Studies were done in a lab setting with bone cultures. It’s therefore a leap of faith to say it works in humans.
2. There were two low- quality biased studies funded by the manufacturer of AlgaeCAL that showed an increase in BMD by 1.3% to 4.1% in men and women. That’s hardly significant to me for the exorbitant price he’s charging. Also, their biased trials weren’t even placebo controlled.
3. ConsumerLab also found 5.3 mcg of lead, a toxic heavy metal, in 720 mg of AlgaeCAL. Lead builds up in brain, bone and muscle tissue and isn’t excreted.
4. Also, beware of strontium as it artificially inflates BMD due to its high atomic weight.

To me, AlgaeCAL is a scam. They prey on seniors with osteoporosis, or anyone else concerned with bone health. Like my doctors said, if AlgaeCAL actually were effective, everyone would be taking it.

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I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2022 by an Ayurvedic specialist in Iowa. My doctor reluctantly (due to my age) ordered a bone scan and the results showed osteoporosis. I was 52 at the time. We discussed options for treatment and decided I wound go the non pharmaceutical route. I took calcium supplements, fine tuned my diet (clean eating, more calcium rich foods, little sugar, zero alcohol, etc) and increased exercise. The next bone scan showed zero improvement and I was discouraged. I found AlgaeCal online and although expensive, the co, guarantees results or money back, so I ordered them. After six months of taking AlgaeCal Plus daily (with their strontium boost supplement most nights), my latest bone density test showed improvement in both hips and back. One hip improved by 17%!
My osteo. is reversing and I have moved down to osteopenia. I am hopeful, in 6 more months, I may reverse it completely. Putting this out there in hopes it helps someone. Good luck!

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I am looking for a Bovine Collagen product that is organic, grass fed,
which has 3rd party certification, GMP others. I started by writing
Gelita in Germany for names of sellers that use their Fortibone, Verisol etc.

There are 28 known types of Collagen. The well known are type 1 to 5
My focus is on helping my osteoporosis, which appears to be Type 1 and Type 3 Collagen
There are other types with claims for skin improvement, cartilage, osteoarthritis and so on.

My research list now includes brand names that are not on the initial list from Gelita,
but have similar qualities.
Collagen is a form of protein, and the amino acids are listed on the label of product.
There are more amino acids listed than the regular 8 we need to obtain from foods.
I probably will need to look them up.
Hydrolized means something similar to Peptides, a process which makes it easier to digest.

I don’t think I would buy AlgaeCal and others – because I can add my own Calcium,
Magnesium or other Vitamins and have control of amounts I take. Including Vitamin K

There is ConsumerLab which appears to be trustworthy, that is a resource which may
answer some of my questions. Perhaps an email to Dr Cooperman is possible.

I prefer not to take any supplements, especially as important as Collagen, without due diligence.
The only supplement I have bought is an Omega 3 supplement, but will wait to speak with a
dietitian on how best to integrate into my diet. (I have salmon once a week, occasionally sardines)

I want to ask the dietitian - are we well informed - only 500 mg calcium can be absorbed
at any meal. Is that from diet or supplements.
Another question: what about malabsorption as we get older, how do we know how
much our bodies are extracting.

I try to get calcium from regular foods - but need to limit dairy -
(there are many supplements, calcium gluconate, lactate, ascorbate, sulfate and more.)
I just realized that calcium carbonate is added to many drinks, like soy milk, oatmeal milk..
even Horlick’s which tastes like Ovaltine (am not sure if Ovaltine has calcium carbonate)
However, calcium carbonate, to some, is constipating.

My question here –
How does a consumer break down the amount per scoop: let’s say 10 grams,
between Type 1 and Type 2. is it mixed evenly…Do I get it balanced if I shake up the container.
I can, and eventually will call the manufacturer. But a second opinion is valued.
If someone has done some research on this, I would appreciate your time and knowledge.

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@fortunateoldguy

Before anyone sends Doug Lucas your credit card number, please read the write up on ConsumerLab.com on AlgaeCal. You’ll find it under the Calcium and Bone Health section. I researched the product and you will likely agree AlgaeCAL mostly hype.

1. There are no clinical studies comparing AlgaeCAL or AlgaeCAL Plus to other forms of calcium in people. Studies were done in a lab setting with bone cultures. It’s therefore a leap of faith to say it works in humans.
2. There were two low- quality biased studies funded by the manufacturer of AlgaeCAL that showed an increase in BMD by 1.3% to 4.1% in men and women. That’s hardly significant to me for the exorbitant price he’s charging. Also, their biased trials weren’t even placebo controlled.
3. ConsumerLab also found 5.3 mcg of lead, a toxic heavy metal, in 720 mg of AlgaeCAL. Lead builds up in brain, bone and muscle tissue and isn’t excreted.
4. Also, beware of strontium as it artificially inflates BMD due to its high atomic weight.

To me, AlgaeCAL is a scam. They prey on seniors with osteoporosis, or anyone else concerned with bone health. Like my doctors said, if AlgaeCAL actually were effective, everyone would be taking it.

Jump to this post

I took Algaecal for 8 months and my T-scores got worse. Went from -3.2 in spine to -3.5 in spine and my 3 other areas went south. I am an avid exerciser, age 62, normal weight, and eat healthy, therefore I discontinued taking. I just started taking Forteo due to two bad cycling accidents and numerous broken bones. I no longer ride and started using very light weights, walking and indoor recumbent bike. I don't think I had a choice not to take prescription meds.

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