Facebook Pixel

Learning About Calcium

 
Rate This

Of the calcium, 99% is stored in the bones with the balance being stored in the body fluids. In the bones, it not only acts to maintain a strong skeletal structure but also serves as attachment points for the tendons of the muscles. The calcium in the body fluids circulates as iodized calcium which helps to regulate muscle contraction, blood clotting, transmission of nerve impulses, the secretion of hormones and the activation of some enzyme reactions.

Calcium by itself cannot be absorbed by the body. It needs other nutrients to enable that to happen. Those nutrients include magnesium, phosphorus, vitamins A, C and D. An example of this is magnesium. Magnesium stimulates the production of a hormone called calcitonin. This hormone is what keeps the calcium in the bones and out of the soft tissue. It is believed that many forms of arthritis are due to an increase of calcium in the body fluids and a lack of calcium in the bones[i]. Another example is the need for Vitamin D. Typically we absorb about 25% of the calcium we ingest. Vitamin D helps to make the calcium-binding protein which is needed in order for us to absorb that 25%. So as you can see, it is a bit more complex than we think.

To take this a step further, the 1% of calcium in the body fluids always remains the same. If we are not consuming enough calcium through our diet, the body will actually take the calcium out of the bones to maintain that appropriate level in the fluids. This process is silent, meaning we might actually not know this is happening. Unfortunately as we age however, this can show up as osteoporosis.

With all of this said, it is important to make sure we are getting an adequate amount of calcium and its carriers in our diet. The average adult should consume between 1,000 – 1,200 milligrams of calcium daily[ii]. This may sound like a lot but it really isn’t! Let us take a look at what foods actually contain high amounts of calcium.

Of course the dairy industry wants you to believe that their source of calcium is the best. Although cheese and milk do contain a high amount of calcium, often people are intolerant to dairy. This can be due to being lactose intolerant, a deficiency in the enzyme that breaks down the lactose in the milk, or because high dairy diets can cause some people to be heavily congested after consuming them.

Personally I do ingest dairy but try to focus on the use of goat or sheep products rather than cow. Goat and sheep tend to graze rather than be grain fed. Grazing increases the nutrient value of the milk as the animals are ingesting more nutrients from the plants. In addition, the fat molecules of the milk from these types of animals are smaller, thus easier to digest. They are also lower in fat.
In addition to dairy there are some fantastic sources of calcium. Below is a list of some of the best:

• Dried seaweeds such as wakame, kombu, kelp, hijiki, and arame
• Beans such as soy, garbanzo, mung, aduki, black and lima
• Nuts and seeds such as almonds, sesame, cashew, and filbert
• Whole grains such as buckwheat, millet, amaranth, and rye

Of course my favorite source is GREEN VEGETABLES! Leafy green vegetables not only contain a good amount of calcium but they also contain lots of chlorophyll. In the center of the chlorophyll molecule is found magnesium. In addition, chlorophyll is a great source of phosphorus, vitamins A and C. How can there be a better way of getting your calcium and all its carriers than eating green vegetables?
Having said all that, let us look at some of the best sources of vegetables for calcium:

• Mustard greens
• Turnip greens
• Bok Choy
• Kale
• Parsley
• Watercress
• Broccoli

We tend to think of spinach and chard as great sources of calcium as well but surprisingly they are not. Although they contain a lot of calcium, they also contain oxalic acid. This substance binds chemically with the calcium thus preventing it from being absorbed. Now this is not to say that these vegetables are not chocked full of other nutrients, they are! Just don’t use them as a source of calcium.

So start playing around with ways in which you can increase the amount of calcium in your diet. Chances are you might be able to take in much more than you think.

Julie Webster has been personally involved in health for most of her life. At the age of 16 she joined her first health club, started to become interested in alternative health and began implementing healthy changes in her life. Professionally, at the age of 18, she purchased and ran a Jack LaLanne Nutrition Center. From here she went on to operate 14 retail vitamin stores; learning and teaching about the properties of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. She then became a Certified Massage Therapist and has been practicing for the last 19 years. With her passion for health, she wanted to find additional ways to educate the public on health, nutrition and fitness and so became a Certified Health Counselor. Julie offers education through her website and blog. She is also available for seminars, workshops and speaking engagements. You can contact her via email at [email protected] for more information and to discuss the needs of your company.

www.julie-webster.com
http://healthandnutritionexperts.wordpress.com

________________________________________
[i] Paul Pitchford, Healing With Whole Foods
[ii] Understanding Normal and Clinical Nutrition, Seventh Edition

Add a Comment3 Comments

Expert HERWriter Guide Blogger

Hi Julie - This is a great, comprehensive look at the need for calcium and the many ways we can get it. Thanks so much!
For those who choose to use calcium supplements, should they make sure that the calcium also has magnesium and Vitamin D in order to obtain the most effective combination of ingredients?
Best regards,
Pat

November 17, 2009 - 6:27pm
(reply to Pat Elliott)

HI Pat- Yes they do need both magnesium and vitamin D. Magnesium can be difficult to assimilate so I prefer using a product called DermaMag, which is a spray. Much more is absorbed through the skin. As for Vitamin D, we need much more than is usually in a cal/mag product so again better to take separately. The best form of Vitamin D is D3. I will have an article on my blog in a week or two about Vitamin D. You might want to check there: http://healthandnutritionexperts.wordpress.com

Julie

November 19, 2009 - 9:07am
Expert HERWriter Guide Blogger (reply to Julie Webster)

Excellent information, as always. Thanks, Julie!

November 19, 2009 - 5:04pm
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
By submitting this form, you agree to EmpowHER's terms of service and privacy policy
Add a Comment

We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.