Ingesting too much calcium is bad for you. Kidney stones and deposits of calcium in the heart or arteries are the major concerns when it comes to the dangers of calcium supplementation. When the average calcium intake is dangerously low, then it is very easy to have conditions caused by an excess of this mineral in the body.
The mineral is essential to the body’s muscles, nerves, and bones. It also helps the human body process both essential and trace elements. Doctors advise that if a condition of Calcium deficiency is diagnosed, then the patient must be put on a high level of calcium supplementation.
The recommended solution is to increase intake of dairy products since they contain biologically active calcium that is needed for the body’s daily activities. Some other major sources of dietary calcium are leafy green vegetables, and meat. A proper exercise regimen, and a healthy diet, help contribute to calcium depletion in the body.
There are plenty of supplements on the market to help you make up for the calcium deficiency. By increasing the level of calcium in the blood, you can prevent kidney stones and deposits of calcium in other parts of the body. By administering calcium supplements, you can help alleviate symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome; overweight teenagers; and people over the age of 50. People who have a deficiency in calcium often find it difficult to exercise, and become more prone to infections, blood clotting, and depression. By combining calcium supplements with vitamin D, the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome can be lessened, and the risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis can be reduced.
Vitamin D can be obtained by the skin by exposure to sunlight, and is a powerful oxidant that is required for proper calcium metabolism. When calcium supplements are used alongside vitamin D, they have a greater effect on calcium absorption and can increase bone density.
Consuming protein sources rich in the vitamin will increase the body’s absorption of calcium. One of the best sources is milk. In the trial conducted by Mathews PH that studied calcium absorption among postmenopausal women, it showed that women who consumed low amounts of milk had a greater risk of calcium deficiency.
In order to help equalize the amount of calcium intake in men and women, therefore helping to prevent the onset of osteoporosis, it is important to include in your diet milk and dairy products. People who are not used to drinking milk will find it a lot easier to drink soy milk.
The ideal way to get calcium in order to develop strong bones is to take the nutrient from dietary sources. Foods rich in calcium include: broccoli, kale, plate of whole grains, yogurt, sardines, nuts, and figs. Calcium supplements can also be a good option since they can be trusted to be equally as effective as natural sources of the mineral.
Those who do not obtain enough calcium from dietary sources or do not like to drink milk will benefit from taking calcium supplements. These supplements can be bought in different forms: pills, digestives, and capsules. By increasing the amount of calcium that you take, this will help to develop strong bones and teeth.
Today, there are many health nutritional supplements available. Health food stores, drug stores, pharmacies, and supermarkets offer many kinds of calcium supplements. Choosing the right kind of supplement could be difficult because many people do not understand the difference between these supplements. When it comes to calcium supplements, however, people are usually supplied with either calcium carbonate or calcium citrate. To learn about the differences between these supplements, read on:
Calcium carbonate
Calcium carbonate has been the popular choice among calcium-conscious consumers ever since it was introduced to the market place several decades ago. What makes this kind of supplement different from others? The first thing it is consumed is a compound known as elemental calcium which is 300 times more calcium than calcium carbonate. It is used to build high- potency solid materials like silicon compounds or boron carbide. Of its kind, it is purchased by pharmaceutical companies for the synthesis of fillers like Tums, chewing gums, and toothpaste.
Calcium citrate
This is another form of calcium which is natural and not processed. It is a strongly recommended supplement because around 50% of calcium in the human body is of this form. This natural form is easily absorbed and utilized by the body, making it effective in preventing calcium loss. It is usually associated with better bone density than carbonate.