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Calcium Supplements
Calcium is a major mineral essential for healthy bones and teeth. There
are several minerals known to be essential to the human body and which
must be obtained from food. The major minerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus,
sodium, chloride and potassium) are needed in the greatest quantities
or are present in large amounts in the body. The three main functions
of minerals are: constituents of the skeleton; soluble salts which help
control the composition of the body fluids; essential adjuncts to the
action of many enzymes and other proteins.
What is Calcium?
Calcium is the most common mineral in the human body. Approximately 99%
of total body calcium is in the skeleton and teeth and 1% in blood and
soft tissues.
Calcium has four major biological functions:
- structural as stores in the skeleton
- electrophysiological - carries charge during an action potential across
membranes
- intracellular regulator
- as a cofactor for extracellular enzymes and regulatory proteins.
Food Sources
You can get the amount of calcium required daily through a variety of
foods.
Dairy products are the most significant source: milk, yogurt, cheese and
buttermilk.
Some green, leafy vegetables are good sources of calcium: broccoli, collard
greens, kale, mustard greens, turnip greens.
Canned salmon and sardines, shellfish, almonds, Brazil nuts and dried
beans are also good dietary sources of calcium.
Calcium is absorbed in small intestines. Not all calcium we consume will
be absorbed. The amount of calcium absorbed is dependent on a number of
factors such as the acidic condition in our intestines, Vitamin D level,
estrogen level and the type of calcium supplement.
Calcium Supplements
The Dietary Reference Intake DRI for calcium for adults is 1000 mg -1300
mg depending on age and gender. As one serving of dairy product provides
~ 300mg of calcium, those who do not consume enough calcium from food
sources may need take calcium supplements. Taking calcium regularly, every
day, is key to preventing and treating calcium deficiency and to helping
reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Calcium Products from Botanic Chioce
products from EVitamins.com
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