Calcium
What Is It?
Calcium is a major mineral and is the most abundant mineral in the human body. 99% of our calcium is stored in the bones and the teeth, with the remaining 1% in the blood and soft tissue. 20% of an adult’s bone calcium is reabsorbed and replaced every year. In order for calcium to be absorbed the body must have sufficient vitamins A, C and D as well as magnesium, lysine and protein. Calcium works with phosphorus for healthy bones and teeth. Calcium works with magnesium for cardiovascular health calcium.
A sedentary lifestyle, hormone imbalance, excess protein, large amounts of fat, coffee, alcohol, diuretics, and antacids can all deplete calcium levels.
Why Do We Need It?
Calcium is necessary for strong bones and teeth, it plays an important role in blood clotting and helping the blood vessels to relax and constrict. Calcium also plays a vital role in muscle contraction, it is used in hormonal secretion and required for nervous system function. It can ease insomnia and help metabolise the body’s iron, it may also be helpful in reducing high blood pressure and prevent intestinal cancer.
Calcium helps in the protein structuring of RNA and DNA and can protect against the development of preeclampsia during pregnancy.
Deficiency Symptoms
Symptoms can include rickets and stunted growth in children, as well as osteoporosis in adults. Pregnant and menopausal women, people with Crohn’s disease and other digestive disorders are also prone to deficiency.
Symptoms can include muscle cramps, muscle twitching, high cholesterol and back spasms. Bones become more porous and fragile, nails can turn brittle, hair can appear coarse and lifeless and teeth will be susceptible to tooth decay.
Calcium deficient people also tend to suffer from insomnia, have pale complexions with a low tolerance for colder climates. Hypertension, convulsions, delusions, hyperactivity and severe menstrual cramps are also examples of symptoms one might experience.
Where Can We Find It?
Almonds, apple, apricots, asparagus, avocado, banana, beetroot, blueberries, blackberries, blackcurrants, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrot, celery, cherries, courgette, cranberries, fennel, figs, garlic, ginger, grapes, grapefruit, green beans, kale, lemon, lime, mango, mint, mushrooms, nectarine, onion, orange, papaya, parsley, parsnip, peach, peas, pineapple, raisins, raspberries, sesame seeds, strawberries, spinach, squash, sunflower seeds, tomatoes, walnuts, watercress, watermelon, wheatgrass and the wolf berry.
Herbs containing calcium include: Alfalfa, burdock root, cayenne, chamomile, fennel seeds, flaxseed, kelp, lemongrass, parsley, peppermint, and shepherds purse.
Be-Aware
If you don’t get enough calcium from the foods you eat, your body automatically takes the calcium from your bones. However, over supplementation of calcium (more than 996 mg daily) may increase the risk of hip fractures so it’s best obtained from foods.
Calcium supplements may also interact with some drugs, (tetracycline antibiotics) if you take too much supplementation you may impair the body’s ability to absorb zinc, iron and magnesium.
Moderate exercise promotes calcium uptake whilst heavy exercise can hinder its uptake, so very athletic people require larger amounts.
If taking calcium together with iron they will bind together preventing proper absorption. A protein called phosvitin, found in the yolk of eggs, can also bind calcium cells preventing absorption.
If taking medication for heart problems, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, antibiotics, anticonvulsant, diuretics or steroids check with your doctor before taking supplements as calcium can interfere with the effectiveness of the drugs.
It’s also worth noting, that when oxalic acid binds with calcium in the intestines, insoluble salts that interferes with absorption are produced. Oxalates are found in: almonds, cashews, chard, kale, rhubarb and spinach. Eaten in normal amounts these foods should not cause a problem, however taken in large amounts may hinder the absorption of calcium. Oxalic acid when combined with calcium can form kidney stones.
Research
There have been numerous clinical studies on the effect of calcium intake, some showing that supplementation may be of benefit to those suffering with alcoholism, allergies, heart problems and diabetes.
Deficiency may also be a factor in atherosclerosis, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, periodontal disease, premenstrual syndrome and ulcerative colitis.
Calcium is the only mineral that requires the daily recommendation to be doubled during pregnancy. Studies have shown that supplementation can help in preventing low birth weight, pre-term delivery and pre-eclampsia.
References
Nutrients A-Z - Michael Sharon
The Vitamin Bible - Earl Mindell
Nutritional Healing - Phyllis A. Balch CNC
Vitamins & Minerals DeMystified - Dr Steve Blake
Readers Digest Guide to Vitamins, Minerals and SupplementsR. Werbach M.D.
Disclaimer
Please be aware that we are not Doctors, so it is important BEFORE making any changes that you consult with your GP or Medical Practitioner. The suggestions above are not meant as an alternative to any current medical treatment so please DO NOT stop taking any medications you are on. They are also not an endorsement of their effectiveness, nor a recommendation that they should be followed but instead, provided for informational purposes. None of the information on the Natural Juice Therapy site is intended or implied to treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease.