Have an idea for a story? Let us know! Contact: Mercedes Deutscher, News Editor Minews@theotherpress.ca (¥ Gigabit Internet: higher speed, higher prices (¥ Salary and bonus cuts planned for next TransLink CEO (Y Trans-Pacific Partnership and Canada’s role And more! Calcium doesn't strengthen your bones? » New study suggests calcium supplements have no added effect, and may cause harm Aaron Guillen Staff Reoorter M:” have been taught since childhood that it is good to drink milk. Why? Because it has calcium in it, a strong mineral that supposedly strengthens and improves bone structure as well as aiding in preventing conditions such as osteoporosis. However, a new study suggests otherwise. Researchers in New Zealand published two journal articles in the BMJ (a prominent general medicine journal) after examining the effect of calcium supplements. They concluded that there is only a one or two per cent separation increase in bone mineral density between those who take the supplement and those who do not. The study also admits that there is not enough proof that calcium could prevent fractures. “Dietary calcium intake is not associated with risk of fracture, and there is no clinical trial evidence that increasing calcium : intake from dietary sources : prevents fractures,” as quoted : from their second article in : BMJ. “Evidence that calcium : supplements prevent fractures is : weak and inconsistent.” Dr. Ian Reid, one of the lead : authors in the study, said he : believes most people should stop : taking calcium supplements. In : fact, the news is worse for those : that continue. The researchers : argue that too much calcium : increases the risk of possible : heart attacks and kidney stones. : : For many, the overall conclusions : : reached by these analysts will be : alarming. Doctors across North : America, including Dr. Sandra : Kim from Toronto’s Women’s : : College Hospital, are encouraging : : the average news consumer to : not follow blindly, but instead : take calcium in moderation, and : according to the specific needs of : : their bodies. “We want people to not ; jump to conclusions and realize : that these articles don’t really : change our main message,” Kim : it doesn’t prevent fractures, but : adequate calcium intake is vital : for general bone health.” explained to CTV. “We know that : The researches have limit from a high of 1,300 mg : per day for adults, to 800 mg.” : Will this minor alteration in diet : change make a difference in our : : health? Only time will tell. : recommended that governments : : “lower the recommended daily Until then, make sure to eat : calcium-rich foods, especially Illustration by Ed Appleby : those that are not dairy. For : those looking to get a daily fix, : try to work foods such as firm : tofu, kale, salmon, or even orange : juice into the daily diet in order : to maintaina healthy level of : calcium. University revokes Union's health benefits amidst ongoing dispute » Both parties continue to disagree as to the best path forward Jamal Dumas The Peak Gimon Fraser University) FU administration has decided to revoke the MSP (Medical Services Plan), dental, and extended health benefits of all Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) members effective on October 31. This is in response to the ongoing deadlock over both parties accepting a form of binding arbitration called Final Offer Selection (FOS). Said TSSU Chair Derek Sahota: “People were upset given that they're still willing to basically do 99 per cent of their job [. . .] that the administration would revoke what are really critical benefits for people.” He continued by saying that, while graduate students already get MSP exemption, international students, families, and sessional instructors would be impacted. While the administration gave the TSSU the ability to : assume the costs of providing : these services to members, Sahota > noted that the cost would be : “more than the annual budget of : the TSSU” Kurt Heinrich, : director of SFU’s University : Communications, told The Peak : that this decision was made : because “the University has : decided that it can no longer : refrain from pressuring the Union : with the legitimate tools that : are available to all employers : during labour disputes.” He cited : students’ grades being withheld : and the “challenges” faced by SFU : staff supporting students through : the ongoing strike. Heinrich went on to note that: : “In such labour disputes, unions : typically pay for their members’ : benefits from their strike fund. : Ultimately, the decision on how : and if TSSU member benefits are : paid now rests with the TSSU”” Another issue of contention : between the two parties is that of : binding arbitration, which could : be achieved through the FOS : process proposed by mediator : Vince Ready. : after 21 days of unsuccessful : negotiation, both parties must : submit proposals for a new : Collective Agreement, after which : : the mediator would determine : : which proposals should be : : integrated into the final Collective : , : Agreement. : : proceed with the FOS process, : they disagree with multiple : amendments SFU has made to : the FOS proposal, including one : that would allow either party to : refer Ready’s FOS decision to the : Public Sector Employers’ Council : (PSEC), who would then have the: : authority to void the award if they : : wish. The process requires that, While the TSSU hopes to The TSSU raised the concern : that, in their view, “PSEC is not an : independent third party. They are : : a body that is deeply involved with : : SFU administration” Heinrich responded to this : concern: “[The] requirement to : conclude an agreement within the : PSEC mandate applies to every : public sector union in BC.” Another concern is that the : university would like the FOS : process to be one where the rather than by looking at each : proposal on its own. The TSSU plans to continue Image via the-peak.ca : their job action, including : marking for education, and to : take additional actions in coming : weeks. Said Sahota, “Our members : want to be in the classroom : teaching and getting back to the mediator would have to decide the : : award on an “all or nothing” basis, normal process as soon possible, : and we're ready to bargain : whenever the employer is ready.”