Hi!
Sabrina here checking in with you to share the importance of Calcium. Don’t do what so many have done by thinking you are getting enough Calcium. There are serious risks of too little calcium in our system.
When you don’t get enough calcium from your diet your body dips into the calcium stored in your bones to keep blood levels up!
Over time, pulling calcium from your bones weakens them! This is why this blog is so important!
Your body needs calcium to build and maintain strong bones, muscles, nerves, and heart to function properly. We must keep our IMMUNE SYSTEM FROM BREAKING DOWN.
Many Americans don’t get enough calcium in their diets. Your body doesn’t produce calcium, so you must get it through other sources. If you don’t get enough calcium, you could face health problems related to weak bones. Adults may suffer from low bone mass, which is a risk factor for osteoporosis.
Even if you eat a healthy, balanced diet, you may find it difficult to get enough calcium if you:
• Follow a vegan diet
• Have lactose intolerance and limit dairy products
• Have certain bowel or digestive diseases that decrease your ability to absorb calcium, such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease
• Are receiving long-term treatment with corticosteroids
Calcium can be found in a variety of foods, including- Dairy products, such as cheese, milk and yogurt- Fish with edible soft bones, such as sardines and canned salmon- Dark green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli and kale and Calcium-fortified foods.
To absorb calcium, your body also needs vitamin D. The RDA for vitamin D is 600 international units (15 micrograms) a day for most adults. A few foods naturally contain small amounts of vitamin D, such as canned salmon with bones and egg yolks. You can also get vitamin D from fortified foods and sun exposure.
Some studies suggest that calcium, along with vitamin D, may have benefits beyond bone health: perhaps protecting against cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure.
When looking at calcium supplements, consider these factors:
Calcium Supplements:
There are different kinds of calcium compounds used in Calcium supplements. Each compound contains varying amounts of the mineral calcium — referred to as elemental calcium. Common calcium supplements may be labeled as:
• Calcium carbonate (40% elemental calcium)
• Calcium citrate (21% elemental calcium)
• Calcium gluconate (9% elemental calcium)
• Calcium lactate (13% elemental calcium)
Dose: I prefer taking Calcium in divided doses, rather than all at once. Separate doses into twice or three times daily for optimal absorption.
The two main forms of calcium supplements are carbonate and citrate. Calcium carbonate is cheapest and therefore often a good first choice.
Which Type of Calcium Supplement Is Best?
Calcium Carbonate vs Calcium Citrate? Here are positives and negatives to both calcium carbonate and calcium citrate.
Calcium Carbonate
• Tends to be the least expensive
• Contains the highest concentration of elemental calcium at 40% by weight
• Tablets are often smaller and fewer are needed to meet the RDA
• Can cause bloating or constipation
• Possible side effects include: nausea/vomiting, belching, dry mouth, increased urination, metallic taste, fatigue, bone pain
Calcium Citrate
• Can be more expensive
• Contains the second highest concentration of elemental calcium at 21% by weight
• Absorbs well even when taken without food and is good for people on antacids
• Does not constipate/ can be better for people with digestive issues
• Tablets are often bigger
• Possible side effects include: nausea/vomiting, low blood pressure, increased urination, loss of appetite, fatigue, burping and headaches.
I personally prefer taking Calcium citrate. My body easily absorbed it. Calcium citrate can help you excrete more urinary citrate, which protects against the formation of kidney stones.
Calcium supplements cause few, if any, side effects. But side effects can sometimes occur.
If anyone takes heartburn medication or has digestive issues, calcium citrate is often the better choice, since stomach acid isn’t required for absorption.
Do Calcium Supplements have risks?
Calcium supplements aren’t for everyone. For instance, if you have a health condition that causes excess calcium in your bloodstream (hypercalcemia), you should avoid calcium supplements.
Check the ingredient list to see which form of calcium your calcium supplement is and what other nutrients it may contain. This is important if you have any health or dietary concerns.
I really hope this helps you get more insight about the different types of Calcium.
Today more than ever it is vital to take care of our bodies from the inside out. There are so many pesticides, antibiotics, GMO‘s, food coloring in our modern day diet. We must do what is necessary to give our bodies the ability to combat disease. Click the link below to access my Immune Boosters teachings.
I have included exotic roots, leaves and flowers that will give our bodies the strength we need to empower our immune system! The teachings are a combination of wisdom compiled from the indigenous people from over 25 years of global travel to some of the most remote places in the world. This is a unique opportunity to become wise with natures most POWERFUL SECRETS.
It is important to talk to your doctor or dietitian about whether calcium supplements are right for you.
