What is Calcium?

Calcium is the major component of bone which serves as the structure to support the entire body during the growth and development. Calcium maintains the entirety of the body and ensures the metabolism, blood circulation, blood coagulation, nervous stimulation, information transmission, and maintenance of cellular functions, maintenance of quick reactions and the effect of hormones.

Eating is the simplest way for the body to absorb enough calcium, therefore; eating habits are very important for the calcium intake in the body. It is advised to drink milk that contains high in calcium, lactose in milk will stimulate the calcium absorption. Sufficient protein supplement will have a good effect on the calcium absorption, but too much protein intake can also increase the calcium excretion through urine. Calcium is the source of life, lack of calcium will make the body unhealthy. To improve the quality of life, prevent illness, prevent aging, lengthen longevity, it is essential to supplement calcium.

Normally the body needs 800-1000mg of calcium each day. Calcium supplement is not as much as possible, the calcium supplement for the body should not exceed 2000mg/day body, otherwise it will lead to side effects such as kidney stones, and calcium soft tissue, reduction in absorption of iron, zinc, magnesium… Therefore, it is necessary to supplement calcium in a scientific way.

Staying aware of of calcium deficiency: In normal condition, the total amount of calcium in the adult body is 1.200g, accounting for 2% of the body weight. Lack of calcium will affect the growth and the structure of bone, teeth. The effect indication of calcium deficiency in children is rickets while that in adults is softening bone substances.

The signs of calcium deficiency include fatigue, numb limbs when standing for a long time or lying with arms over head, additionally, persons who lack calcium frequently suffer from cramp, back pain, joint pain, or even convulsion of face and hand muscles. Scientific studies have also indicated that lowered calcium in the serum will make the nervous excitement increase, thereby leading to shrinkage.

For pregnant women: Calcium plays a very important role in the formation of bone and teeth for their babies. A mother who lacks calcium will not only make her health weakened, tired but also make her child suffer from rickets, growth retardation. The calcium demand for a pregnant woman is 800mg for the first 3 months, 1000mg for the next 3 months, 1500mg for the last 3 months and breastbreeding period alike since the growing the fetus is, the more developed its bone is.

What foods contain calcium: According to researchers, foods for best calcium intake is milk and dairy products. Not only is milk rich in calcium but it is also easilyabsorbed by the body. A part from that, vegetables and legumes, especially soybean, sesame, melon seed, seaweed, peeled shrimp, rice field crab, oysters are among foods that contains much calcium.

Proper calcium supplement: Good absorption of calcium needs the support of vitamin D To absorb calcium well, more vitamin D is needed. Vitamin D can be found in good amount in butter, milk, eggs, livers …People with osteoporosis need to supplement calcium and vitamin D in meals or through regular sunbathing, outdoors activities. However, it is noted that rich protein meals may increase the excretion of calcium.

According to scientific studies, 1g protein taken in goes with 10 mg calcium; drinks that contain caffeine and nicotine are is also agents that increase the calcium excretion through urine. The absorption of calcium will reduce that of other minerals, therefore, it is advised to absorb calcium along with other minerals.

(Source: Internet)

Other Information