A2Z Vitamin And Herbs Guide For Natural Care And Healing

Calcium: Our Body Needs It!

Our teeth and bones contain a large amount of calcium at around 99%.

The calcium that is found in the body and the teeth are tissues that are concentrated by means of calcium phosphate salts. The remaining calcium is in nerve cells, the body tissues, body fluids and the blood.

Calcium is one of the important minerals in the body in terms of maintenance, reproduction and growth. Calcium is important especially for your bones as well as your teeth. Calcium continuously re-forms and reabsorbs in your body.

Aside from keeping the teeth and bones healthy, calcium provides other functions. Blood coagulation, muscle relaxation and contraction, stimulation of hormones, transmission of nerve impulses activation of enzymes and normalizing heartbeat all require a minimal amount of calcium.

Many foods contain calcium. The major source of calcium is from dairy products. Yogurt, buttermilk and cheeses are examples of dairy products. Dairy products like milk, cottage cheese and yogert can give you calcium in a fat-free or low-fat variety.

Since the fat portion of the milk does not contain calcium, removing the fat will not be a big loss and it will not affect the calcium content. Calorie for calorie, non fat or skim milk contains more calcium than whole milk. In addition to calcium, milk is also a good source of phosphorus and magnesium. These minerals also help the body to use and absorb the calcium more efficiently. Another essential aspect for efficient consumption of calcium is the vitamin D.

Some people are lactose-intolerant or allergic to the protein found in milk. In order for them to make up for the lack of calcium in their body, they need to have calcium supplements to avoid having a disorder. Another way to get calcium without the lactose is to drink lactose free milk or soy products.

Another good source of calcium is green leafy vegetables like the mustard green, broccoli and kale. However, green vegetables are a less efficient source of calcium. Sometimes with vegetables, the oxalic acid and fiber will interfere with calcium absorbtion.

Almond, dried beans, shellfish and Brazil nuts are also good suppliers of calcium. And don’t forget sardines and salmon which also have calcium as well as other nutrients important to keep your body in tip top shape. However, it is quite difficult to eat sufficient amounts of these foods just to have the proper calcium intake.

There are certain side effects when the amount of calcium in the body increases. In rare occasions, You may suffer from kidney failure due to high calcium intake. However, if your body has low intake of calcium, you may suffer from osteoporosis and hypertension. Other disorders may also occur because of low calcium intake. Taking the proper amount of calcium will help you to have a healthy and happy life but please consult your physician before adding calcium or any other supplements to your daily routine.