Calcium
Benefits
Watch the video describing the benefits and sources of calcium by Andy Williams below:
Watch the video describing the benefits and sources of calcium by Andy Williams below:
The human body requires the mineral calcium to build strong
bones and teeth. Calcium
is also needed for proper functioning of the heart, nerves and muscles, so it
is important to keep blood calcium at a healthy level for a healthy life. To stay healthier and to live for a longer period,
calcium intake is very important. Some benefits of calcium are:
- Calcium is the major component of bones and teeth and it is essential for growth.
- Proper functioning of various organs depends on the proper supply of calcium.
- Calcium is helpful for the prevention of osteoporosis.
- It is beneficial for pregnant and breastfeeding women because it helps in maintaining weight and helpful in improving premenstrual moods.
- Calcium gives protection against colon cancer.
- Eating food rich in calcium ensures a healthy life for all.
- Calcium is one of the most important elements in our body because it is a structural component of bones, teeth, and soft tissues and is essential in many of the body's metabolic processes.
- Calcium is used to regulate muscle and nerve functions, glandular secretions, and blood vessel dilation and contraction.
- Calcium is also essential for proper blood clotting.
- Calcium is beneficial to the body in many ways. Vitamin D works together with calcium on the bone and kidney and is necessary for intestinal absorption of calcium. Most dietary calcium is absorbed in the small intestine as albumin, a simple protein. Calcium is deposited in bone with phosphorous in a crystalline form as calcium phosphate.
Calcium Deficiency Symptoms
Deficiency
of calcium in low level will not show any immediate health effect. But, over
the long term, dietary deficiency eventually depletes bone stores, rendering
the bones weak and prone to fracture. A low blood calcium level will result in
the disturbance in the body's calcium regulating mechanisms and nerve and
muscle impairments will be the adverse effects. Skeletal muscles can spasm and
the heart can beat abnormally due the deficiency of calcium and it can be fatal
also.
Calcium Side Effects
Large
amounts of calcium produce constipation
and an increased risk of kidney
stones. When excess calcium is ingested over long periods, or when
calcium is combined with increased amounts of vitamin D, calcium toxicity occurs.
Calcium toxicity is sometimes found after excessive intravenous administration of calcium. Toxicity is occurred by
abnormal deposition of calcium in tissues and by elevated blood calcium levels
which is called hypercalcemia. Under these circumstances, bone density will be
lost resulting in hypercalcemia which can cause kidney stones and abdominal
pain. Some cancers can also be the result of this hypercalcemia by invading and
killing bone cells causing them to release calcium. Very high levels of calcium
can result in appetite loss, nausea,
vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion, seizures, and even coma.
Requirements and Supplementation
Dietary
calcium is required by the body for growing and making new bone or milk.
Requirements are therefore greatest during childhood, adolescence, pregnancy,
and breastfeeding. Women need calcium for different reasons after their 20s. Depending
on our genes, there can be small increases in bone mass between 20 and 30 years
of age. Bone loss begins in mid-adulthood and increases considerably at
menopause period for women. Even when we stop building bone, we need calcium
for other functions and to replace what is being lost each day. It's imperative
that we need calcium throughout our lifespan for different reasons.
The
best way to meet your calcium requirements is through the diet. Include milk, yogurt,
natural cheese, processed cheese, fruit juices, cereal in the diet. If you are
not able to meet your calcium requirements through food, it is advisable to
take a supplement which is necessary
to reach your daily requirements.
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