The Benefits of Calcium in our Diets
The Benefits of Calcium in our Diets
Did you know that calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body? That is one reason why it is such a problem when it is not present in sufficient enough quantities. So where does this calcium live?
For one, calcium lives in the bones and teeth. It is responsible for the hardness in these two places. You want your bones to be hard so that they can support your weight and not break when you perform high impact movements. In your mouth, your teeth help you to chew your food.
The rest of the calcium you need is circulating in your blood where it is carried to a variety of places that can use its important properties. One of those places is your muscle tissue. When you are working out or lifting weights, the calcium in your muscles is helping them to contract when you need them to and also to help build up more muscle tissue.
When calcium is not present in sufficient enough quantities, the body will rob it from your bones leading to osteoporosis. Anyone can develop osteoporosis but it is more common in women. This bone loss can lead to more breaks and also an unstable skeleton, not to mention loss of strength in your muscles.
Calcium also performs various activities in other places. For one, it regulates pH in the body and the opening and closing of channels across cellular membranes. These channels open and close depending on what the particular cells need. Calcium allows that to happen when it needs to.
This single mineral functions in immunity, nervous system function and cardiovascular health. It may help prevent high blood pressure and incidence of colon cancer. In order for calcium to do what it does, it needs vitamin D to assist. Many people in all age groups are not getting the recommended daily dose of vitamin D so that calcium can do its job. One major source of vitamin D is sunlight.
To get calcium into your body, take a look at the foods that you eat. Calcium is found in all types of milk, cheese, yogurt, butter and cream cheese. Food manufacturers have also begun adding calcium as a mineral supplement in fruit juices, cereals and breads to ensure that you get what you need. Consult your doctor before taking supplements. There might be a better way.
Now you know just how much the body needs calcium. It is one mineral with functions across all systems. Optimize your calcium levels for good health.
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