Calcium Benefits
October 31, 2008
Calcium is present in abundance in our body and we still need more each day, except the prostate cancer patients; in which these must be avoided. The essential mineral is required for proper bone and teeth formation. It is also necessary for nerve cell signal transmission. Calcium is required in ion form from the process of blood clotting. It is also part of various pathways such as the one for muscle contraction.
Although we can easily derive calcium from our diet still many people suffer from its deficiency diseases. The most common deficiency conditions are osteoporosis, effecting mainly women post-menopause. Decreased levels of calcium in children leads to Rickets, the same condition is called Osteomalacia in adults. The deficiency is also connected with decreased levels of Vitamin D.
Best calcium source foods are sardines, green leafy vegetables, tofu, salmon and all dairy products. Many vegetarians have been observed to be deprived of calcium levels. They should try to eat more of dairy products in order to cover up for the same.
Many people often eat much less than the prescribed daily calcium need. The daily requirement for people between 19 to 50 is 1000 mg. For those above 51 is 1200 mg each day. Over supplementation must be avoided at all costs which may lead to some serious consequences. Some of the less serious conditions are bloating, gas and constipation.
People suffering from ulcers must not take calcium supplementation as this may lead to a toxic condition called “milk alkali syndromeâ€. Also, calcium supplementation must not be given to patients of chronic kidney disease, kidney stones and hyperthyroidism. If one is already taking Lysine supplementation then there is no need for calcium intake. This is because lysine increases the absorption of calcium which may lead to decreased calcium excretion.
Not just that calcium shows interaction with a wide variety of drugs. For example drugs like anticonvulsants, Bile acid Sequestrants and aluminum hydroxide show additive effect with calcium. Drugs like calcium acetate, Ciprofloxacin , Doxycycline show antagonistic( against) with calcium presence..
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