Archive for July, 2009
Why Your Body Needs Calcium and How To Get An Adequate Amount In Your Diet
One of the primary uses of calcium in the body is for the formation and continued strength of the bones. While this accounts for roughly 99% of the body’s calcium, the other small amount has an equally important function in maintaining good health. Calcium is necessary for the storage of glycogen that produces muscle energy [...]
One of the primary uses of calcium in the body is for the formation and continued strength of the bones. While this accounts for roughly 99% of the body’s calcium, the other small amount has an equally important function in maintaining good health. Calcium is necessary for the storage of glycogen that produces muscle energy as well as aiding in muscle contractions by helping nerves relax. This essential mineral is a component of the digestive fluid “bile” which helps break down and absorb fats. This mineral is vital to the composition of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord and the body will maintain this area at a constant level of calcium even if it must take the mineral from the bones to accomplish this.
The most well known problem associated with low calcium is the disease osteoporosis. Calcium is constantly being used and replaced in the bones. If there is not enough calcium being brought into the system and absorbed the bone becomes brittle and weak and is less able to support the body. In addition, if calcium supplies are inadequate, the body will strip calcium from the bones to direct to other areas.
Women are especially susceptible to calcium loss. Calcium travels in the blood and is lost through monthly menstruation. The formation of a fetus requires as much calcium from the mother’s body as she would lose in three years worth of menstrual loss. Magnesium is required in the body for calcium to be converted to a form the body can absorb and Vitamin D is necessary for the production of the proteins that bind calcium where it belongs.
A balanced diet can provide the calcium needed for good health and the trace minerals to make it absorbable. Yogurt is an excellent source along with skim milk, tofu and cheese. A cup of fortified oatmeal can provide as much as a quarter of one’s daily requirement. Various green leafy vegetables can provide good calcium sources. Rhubarb, spinach, kale and broccoli are excellent when eaten raw or only slightly steamed. Cooking breaks down and destroys most of the vitamin and mineral content so that the more you cook them the less benefit they provide. Since white sugar destroys the calcium absorption, sweetening with blackstrap molasses, which provides over a hundred milligrams per tablespoon, is an excellent replacement.
