Calcium Minerals: Not From Milk!
Calcium minerals are good for the teeth and bones as we've heard it from the days of childhood.
Despite this general knowlegde, some studies have found that as much as a stunning 75% of people in the United States do not have a sufficient daily intake of calcium minerals.
Calcium also plays a role in helping the blood to clot when necessary, in helping the muscles and nerves to perform their tasks, and in the maintenance of cell membranes.
It is also important to the prevention of debilitating bone diseases, such as osteoporosis.
Calcium is often closely associated with milk (actually milk is commercialised for reason of necessary daily calcium intake).
But cow's milk is not designed for people. For one thing, it has 20 times the casein (that's the stuff Elmer's® glue is made of) of human milk.
It's designed to take a calf from 90 pounds to 1,000 pounds in about 24 months as where human milk is designed to take an infant from 8 pounds to 40 pounds in 18 months. See the big difference?
The most common calcium supplements include calcium carbonate, calcium citrate, coral calcium, oyster shell or bone meal based calcium supplements, and calcium gluconate and calcium lactate based supplements.
You should be aware of how to read the label when choosing your calcium minerals supplement to ensure that you are getting the amount of calcium that you think you are.
Elemental calcium is the term used for the calcium that your body will be able to absorb. Some supplements have this and other types of calcium, but it is only the elemental calcium that can count towards your daily intake.
Calcium minerals are absorbed best when the stomach acids are at higher levels, which is why many supplements are recommended for use after meals.
Some types of calcium supplements are absorbed more easily by the body than others. Even so, some may be desirable for other reasons.
Calcium citrate, according to professional nutrition experts, is the most efficient of the supplements, because the body absorbs it easily.
However, although that may be true and it can be taken at any time of day, whether or not there is food in the stomach, this type often contains less of the elemental calcium and thus more pills daily will be needed.
Calcium carbonate is the most common over the counter calcium supplement and should be taken after meals, because of the increased stomach acid. However, these on their turn should be watched for sodium content.
Fortunately, there are several varieties of calcium minerals supplements on the market.
Adults need between 1000 mgs and 1300 mgs of calcium per day, and should not supplement beyond 2500 mgs, as that can cause other health problems.
Your health care professional can help you to choose the amount that you need daily, as preexisting conditions, such as bone loss or damage due to previous deficiencies, can make a difference in how much you should be taking daily.
Calcium is essential for good health and supplements are an excellent way to ensure you get your necessary daily dosis of calcium. There are a variety of factors to be taken into account when choosing a calcium minerals supplement. A little research and consultation with a nutritional specialist can help you to choose the best calcium supplement for your individual needs.
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