Calcium - Optimising your intake – The Basics
Calcium in you diet
“It's virtually impossible to have too much calcium in your diet. This is because the body controls the amount of calcium it stores very carefully”, says Todd, our head nutritionist.
“Calcium is a major component of bones and teeth – contributing to their strength. A lack of calcium in your diet can lead to osteoporosis, which is a weakening of the bone structure. This condition increases the risk of fractures and now affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 10 men in the UK today”.
“Getting sufficient calcium in your diet throughout life is important. However, it’s particularly important during the first three decades of life during bone building years. That’s why vegan children, teenagers and young adults should take particular care they include enough calcium in their diet”, Todd explains.
Calcium in Foods
“ Most people know that dairy foods are a good source of calcium, but other foods including green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans and fish with small bones can also offer an appreciable amount of calcium in the daily diet. Other dietary sources include calcium fortified soya products, white and brown bread, figs and seaweed”.
“There are even fruit juices which are fortified with calcium, and these can be drunk with breakfast, or even poured over cereals as an alternative to milk”.
“Calcium is also involved in muscle contraction and plays a role in normal nerve function. This mineral also helps your blood clot when you bleed, as well as helping maintain normal blood pressure”, Todd adds.
Calcium and Health
“Calcium deficiency can also result from an inadequate supply of vitamin D, which is essential for absorbing calcium from food. A diet lacking in vitamin D can lead to skeletal deformity in children (rickets) and in adults (osteomalacia)”.
“Our main source of vitamin D is sunshine so getting outdoors during summer months is important for ensuring enough of this fat-soluble vitamin is stored in the body for winter This is especially advisable for children and the elderly”.
We all like to be healthy and to be sure that we're doing the best we can for ourselves, and our families, health.
Join GetFit Nutrition and start leading a healthy life today. No joining fee and we're confident that you’ll find healthy ways to lose weight when you join, but for peace of mind, we'll refund your money within 7 days if for any reason you don't! Click here to join today...