What is calcium ? Calcium is a mineral that is found in foods , specifically dairy, and stored in bones and teeth in our body. It is essential for growth and development of children and adolescents ( phase of growth and development between childhood and adulthood . ) as it maintains strong bones and teeth while also assisting in muscle contractions, nerve stimulations and regulating blood pressure.
Why Do we need calcium ? The body needs calcium to maintain strong bones and to carry out many important functions. Almost all calcium is stored in bones and teeth, where it supports their structure and hardness. The body also needs calcium for muscles to move and for nerves to carry messages between the brain and every body part.
What are the best food items that contain calcium ? Diary products are rich in calcium , some examples are cheese 🧀, yogurt , milk 🥛 Except of diary products we also have Dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, turnips, and collard greens. Fortified cereals such as Total, Raisin Bran, Corn Flakes (They have a lot of calcium in one serving.), Fortified orange juice. Soybeans. etc
But what happens due to deficiency of calcium ? Hypocalcemia , also known as calcium deficiency disease, occurs when the blood has low levels of calcium. A long-term calcium deficiency can lead to dental changes, cataracts, alterations in the brain, and osteoporosis, which causes the bones to become brittle. A calcium deficiency may cause no early symptoms.
How do I know if I am having enough calcium ? If you aren't getting enough calcium, your hair and nails could take a beating. Weak, brittle nails and thinning, damaged hair are all telltale signs that you might have a deficiency.
What happens in Hypocalcemia?
if we have deficiency of calcium , can it be cured ? Calcium deficiency is usually easy to treat. It typically involves adding more calcium to your diet. Do not self-treat by taking a lot of calcium supplements . Taking more than the recommended dose without your doctor's approval can lead to serious issues like kidney stones .
Calcium facts Really interesting facts you need to know …. 🤩🤩🤩
1. Calcium plays multiple roles in your body’s functions Calcium plays a role in many of your body’s basic functions. Your body needs calcium in order to circulate blood, move muscles, and release hormones. Calcium also helps carry messages from your brain to other parts of your body. Calcium is a major part of tooth and bone health as well. It makes your bones strong and dense. You can think of your bones as your body’s calcium reservoir. If you don’t get enough calcium in your diet, your body will take it from your bones.
2. Your body doesn’t produce calcium Your body doesn’t produce calcium, so you have to rely on your diet to get the calcium you need. Foods that are high in calcium include: dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt dark green vegetables such as a kale, spinach, and broccoli white beans sardines calcium-fortified breads, cereals, soy products, and orange juices
3. You need vitamin D to absorb calcium Your body needs vitamin D in order to absorb calcium. That means you won’t fully benefit from a calcium-rich diet if you’re low on vitamin D. You can get vitamin D from certain foods, such as salmon, eggs yolks, and some mushrooms. Like calcium, some food products have vitamin D added to them. For example, milk often has added vitamin D. Sunshine is your best source of vitamin D. Your skin naturally produces vitamin D when exposed to the sun. Those with darker skin don’t produce vitamin D as well, so supplements may be necessary to avoid deficiency.
4. The recommended amount depends on your age or deficiency
5 . Too much calcium can have negative effects With any mineral or nutrient, it’s important to get the right amount. Too much calcium can have negative side effects. Symptoms such as constipation, gas, and bloating may indicate that you’re getting too much calcium. Extra calcium may also increase your risk of kidney stones. In rare cases, too much calcium can cause deposits of calcium in your blood. This is called hypercalcemia. Some doctors think that taking calcium supplements can increase your risk of heart disease, but others disagree. At the moment, more research is needed to understand how calcium supplements affect heart health.
As a final observation : Calcium is essential to your overall health. You can get the calcium you need from many different foods, and if necessary, from supplements. Calcium works together with other nutrients such as vitamin D, so it is important keep up a balanced diet. As with any mineral or nutrient, you should monitor your calcium intake so that you aren’t getting too much or too little.