The Importance of Calcium: Understanding the Elemental Benefits
Calcium is an essential element that our body needs to function properly. It plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including the formation and maintenance of strong bones and teeth, nerve signalling, muscle contractions, and blood clotting.
What is Calcium?
Calcium is a mineral that can be found in many different sources, including dairy products, leafy green vegetables, fortified foods, and supplements. It is the most abundant mineral in our body, accounting for approximately 2% of our total body weight.
In our body, calcium is stored in bones and teeth, where it provides strength and structure. It also helps maintain the health of cells, blood vessels, and nerves.
The Benefits of Calcium
The primary benefit of calcium is its role in promoting strong bones and teeth. Calcium is necessary for bone mineralization, which is the process of incorporating minerals into the bone matrix to make it stronger. It is essential during childhood and adolescence, when bones are still developing, but it is also important for maintaining bone health in adults.
In addition to its role in bone health, calcium also plays a role in muscle function. It is necessary for muscle contractions, including those that occur in the heart. Calcium also helps with nerve signalling, which allows your brain to send messages to different parts of your body.
Calcium has also been linked to other health benefits, including a reduced risk of high blood pressure, colon cancer, and obesity.
How Much Calcium Do You Need?
The amount of calcium you need depends on your age and sex. For adults, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of calcium is approximately 1,000 milligrams (mg) per day. This can be achieved through a balanced diet that includes calcium-rich foods, such as dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and fortified products. It can also be supplemented with calcium supplements.
Risks of Calcium Deficiency
If you don’t get enough calcium, your body will begin to take it from your bones, weakening them and increasing the risk of osteoporosis. Calcium deficiency can also lead to other health problems, such as muscle cramps, heart palpitations, and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.
Conclusion
Calcium is an essential element that our body needs for various functions. It is important for strong bones and teeth, muscle function, nerve signalling, and blood clotting. By consuming calcium-rich foods or supplements, you can ensure that you are meeting the recommended daily allowance of calcium. If you are concerned about your calcium intake, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian.
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