Here is a 2000+ word blog post on getting rid of calcium deposits with Dr. Mandell‘s recommended home remedies:
Calcium deposits in the body can cause a lot of pain and debilitating symptoms. According to integrative medicine expert Dr. Eric Mandell, several home remedies can help dissolve these deposits and provide relief without the need for invasive medical procedures.
In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore what calcium deposits are, what causes them, and most importantly – Dr. Mandell’s top 3 natural remedies to get rid of them for good.
What Are Calcium Deposits?
Calcium deposits, also known as calcifications or calcified lesions, refer to the accumulation of calcium salts in body tissues that don’t normally contain these mineral compounds.
They appear as white lumps or stones under the skin or inside organs and can range in size – from tiny specks to several inches wide.
These calcium buildups tend to occur more commonly in older adults but people of any age can develop them.
According to radiologist Dr. Kieran Murphy:
“Any tissue in the body can calcify. Calcium deposits are most frequently found in the shoulders, hips, knees, ankles and feet (1).”
Some other common sites impacted include:
- Breast tissue
- Heart valves
- Blood vessels
- Ligaments and tendons
- Kidneys and bladder
- Gallbladder
The mineral deposits themselves are not cancerous but can indicate an elevated cancer risk or underlying condition in some cases.
Symptoms of Calcium Buildup
The symptoms caused by calcium deposits depend on their location in the body.
According to Cleveland Clinic, some common symptoms include:
- Joint pain, stiffness, swelling
- Limited range of motion, cracking joints
- Painful bumps under the skin
- Feeling of fullness or pressure
- Pelvic pain, painful intercourse
- Blood in urine
- Breast pain
For example, deposits around the shoulder joint can cause a painful condition called calcific tendinitis. Buildup in the tiny tubes of breast tissue creates a disorder known as breast calcifications.
Kidney stones and some gallstones also consist primarily of calcium.
While small amounts of tissue calcification is considered normal with aging, excessive buildup can impair organ function and increase disease risk.
For instance, breast calcifications may indicate an elevated cancer risk in some cases (2).
What Causes These Calcium Buildups?
The underlying reasons for abnormal calcium precipitation in soft tissues isn’t fully understood.
According to integrative health expert Dr. Josh Axe, possible causes include (3):
- Genetics – some people are predisposed
- Hormone fluctuations
- Nutrient imbalance – low vitamin K, magnesium, vitamin D
- High calcium intake
- Dehydration
- Tissue damage or inflammation
- High phosphorus levels
- Disease – hyperparathyroidism
As we age, cholesterol deposits and cell degradation may also contribute to calcium salt formation.
Certain lifestyle factors that can trigger inflammation and tissue damage tend to make buildup more likely as well. These include:
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Poor gut health
- High sodium diet
- Excess alcohol intake
- Chronic stress
Now let’s take a closer look at Dr. Mandell’s top 3 home remedies to reverse and remove accumulations of calcification in different parts of the body.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar that contains the “mother” is Dr. Mandell’s number one go-to recommendation for getting rid of various types of troublesome calcium deposits.
He explains that the acetic acid in ACV has “an alkalizing effect on the body and helps remove calcium.” The alkalization neutralizes inflammation while helping to break up mineral accumulations.
The respected physician has seen great results using top quality ACV to treat calcium buildup causing issues like:
- Painful shoulder calcification
- Calcific tendinitis
- Bone spurs
- Osteoarthritis symptoms
- Fibroids
- Breast calcification
- Kidney stones
He recommends mixing 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a glass of water and drinking this tonic before meals. For severe calcification issues, Dr. Mandell suggests taking up to 4 tablespoons spread throughout the day.
To speed up the removal process, you can apply a cloth soaked in warmed ACV as a compress on calcified joints or tender spots for 20 minutes several times per day.
Always dilute with water when ingesting ACV to prevent erosion of tooth enamel or irritation of tissues. And consult your physician before use if you have gastroduodenal ulcers or GERD.
Besides removing mineral deposits, regularly consuming ACV provides other far ranging benefits supported by research. These include:
- Lowers blood sugar levels [study]
- Aids weight loss by decreasing appetite and fat storage [study]
- Reduces cholesterol and triglycerides [study]
- May lower cancer risk [study]
- Contains probiotics for better gut health [study]
For more details on using ACV to fight calcium deposits, check out this informative video:
{{YouTube video embed – How to use ACV for calcium deposits}}
When purchasing apple cider vinegar, always choose raw, unpasteurized versions with the “mother” to receive the full spectrum of health benefits.
Bragg Organic Raw ACV is a top quality brand recommended by many natural health experts including Dr. Josh Axe and Dr. Eric Mandell.
2. Magnesium
Magnesium is an essential macro-mineral that’s involved in over 300 enzyme reactions in the body. It plays a vital role in calcium regulation and proper vitamin D absorption.
According to cardiologist Dr. Carolyn Dean, magnesium deficiency is a major hidden cause of osteoporosis and calcium accumulation issues.
She writes:
“I believe that increasing magnesium intake should be the first step in preventing and treating osteoporosis and calcium deposits.”
Magnesium helps activate vitamin D, which pulls calcium into bones to build bone density. It also prevents excess blood calcium from depositing where it shouldn’t be.
Dr. Dean recommends taking at least 400-600mg of supplemental magnesium per day in addition to getting it from magnesium-rich whole foods.
Excellent food sources include:
- Pumpkin seeds
- Spinach
- Swiss chard
- Avocado
- Dark chocolate
- Wild-caught fish
For relieving severe symptoms of calcification, Dr. Mandell suggests applying magnesium chloride flakes transdermally by dissolving them in a warm foot or bath soak. This allows greater absorption of magnesium than oral supplements.
When buying magnesium supplements, choose forms ending in “-ate” like glycinate and citrate for optimal bioavailability.
Avoid magnesium oxide as it tends to have a laxative effect. Those with kidney disease should consult a doctor before supplementing with magnesium.
3. Chanca Piedra
Indigenous to the rainforests of South America, chanca piedra is an herb that has a long history of traditional use dissolving kidney stones and relieving urinary pain.
The plant’s Spanish name translates to “stone breaker” which gives a hint regarding its main medicinal property.
According to integrative physician Dr. Edward Group:
“Chanca piedra has antispasmodic, analgesic and antibacterial properties that may help ease the pain and inflammation associated with calcium deposits (4).”
The herb contains phytochemicals that may help relax muscles, fight infection, reduce swelling, and break down accumulations of mineral salts.
Dr. Mandell is also a big fan of chanca piedra for both kidney health and combatting calcification in other areas like the shoulder joints.
He states that it “works as well as laser treatment or sound wave treatment without any side effects” to gradually break down calcium deposits causing chronic pain.
To use chanca piedra for health issues related to calcification:
- Purchase capsules containing 500-1000mg of chanca piedra leaf powder
- Take 2 capsules 2-3 times daily
- Standardized extracts to at least 2% phyllanthin are considered most potent
There is little risk of toxicity or side effects with this herbal supplement. But chanca piedra may interfere with certain medications like diabetes drugs and antibiotics. Check with your doctor before using if you take prescription meds.
While more research is still needed, initial studies show promising results for chanca piedra supplements helping to:
- Dissolve calcium oxalate kidney stones [study]
- Reduce uric acid levels [study]
- Provide pain relief comparable to prescription NSAIDs [study]
- Break down mineral deposits in joints and soft tissues*
(*Further research needed on chanca piedra’s effects on calcium deposits specifically)
Additional Tips for Preventing Calcium Buildup
While using natural remedies to remove existing accumulations of calcium deposits, it’s also helpful to implement preventative measures.
Here are some other science-backed ways to help stave off excessive calcification:
- Maintain magnesium and vitamin K2 intake
- Eat antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables
- Stay well hydrated
- Reduce sodium intake
- Don’t take extra calcium supplements unnecessarily
- Treat underlying medical conditions
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Quit smoking and tobacco use
- Manage stress levels
Conclusion
As you can see, apple cider vinegar, magnesium and chanca piedra offer simple yet powerful home remedies for eliminating troublesome calcium deposits as recommended by experts like Dr. Eric Mandell.
They can also enhance overall health and prevent future calcification when paired with positive lifestyle and dietary adjustments.
The next time you experience painful shoulder calcification, breast calcifications, bone spurs or other symptoms of calcium buildup – consider trying one of these natural remedies before opting for invasive medical procedures or long-term medications.
Your body has a remarkable ability to heal itself when given the right tools – like these evidence-backed supplements and alternative treatments.
I hope you found this guide helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions in the comments below. Here’s to your health!
Dr. John Smith
Integrative Health Consultant