Calcium is a vital mineral for the different age groups from infancy to the elderly. Almost 99% of the body’s calcium is found in the bones and teeth. The body can’t produce calcium on its own so you need to consume foods that are high in calcium content. It is easier to add in your daily diet for example dairy products such as milk and yogurt, dark leafy green vegetables like broccoli and kale, fish with edible bones like sardines and canned salmon, and many more.
Aside from food, you can also get calcium from foods that are processed and fortified with calcium and the most common is supplement. The benefits of calcium are concentrated to optimal bone health. It can also protect against cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure along with Vitamin D. The best calcium supplement is calcium carbonate as it has 40% calcium per pill.
1. Important for Bone Health
Calcium plays an important role in the development, growth, and maintenance of bone. Almost 99% of the calcium in the body is found in bones and teeth. Calcium benefits in the development of bones in children and for women who are already in their menopausal period. During the menopausal stage in women, they will experience loss of bone density that can lead to osteoporosis. The best calcium supplement for osteoporosis is chelated calcium, like calcium citrate, calcium lactate, or calcium gluconate that are easier for the body to absorb.
2. Cardiovascular System
The benefits of calcium in the cardiovascular system play an important role in muscle function and help to maintain the normal function of the heart muscle. It relaxes the muscle that surrounds blood vessels. It is also important in blood clotting. With the help of Vitamin D, calcium is easily absorbed by the body because Vitamin D is also essential for bone health.
3. Calcium Supplements can Help you Get the Right Amount
Certain people are lactose intolerant that made them difficult to acquire calcium from their diet alone. Lack of calcium in the body may lead to several diseases like osteoporosis in women due to old age. Calcium benefits can be in the form of supplements to help to sustain the calcium needs of the body. If you want to take calcium you can choose from the best calcium supplement available over the counter. One is a calcium carbonate that is common and it’s cheaper, and the other one is the calcium citrate that is advisable for older people with lower levels of stomach acid. Calcium carbonate requires a full stomach while calcium citrate doesn’t you to eat food before taking one.
4. Calcium to Prevent Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a bone disease common during old age which is characterized by loss of bone mass. It is common in older women aged 60 and above. Fracture is very common when bones become weak and it may lead to a serious health risk. Women that are experiencing osteoporosis can’t recover easily after a fall or the worst scenario is it may lead to death. One of the benefits of calcium is to prevent osteoporosis by taking supplements and adding food rich in calcium in daily diet.
5. Vitamin D for Calcium Absorption
The proper absorption of calcium in the body is hampered without the help of vitamin D. It means that you won’t get enough calcium from the food you eat in the diet if you’re low on Vitamin D. Many foods are rich in Vitamin D such as salmon, egg yolks, and some mushroom. There are also processed foods available in the market that is fortified with Vitamin D like milk with added Vitamin D. One can get enough of this vitamin naturally by just walking or standing to get sun exposure, but make sure to do it in the morning. Exposure to the sun can naturally produce vitamin D that the body needs. Calcium benefits can fully help the body fight against diseases, especially in bone health problems together with Vitamin D.
