What You Need to Know About Calcium

Calcium is an essential mineral to ensure the health of our body. Most of it is found in our bones and teeth. As kids, we are often told that it’s very important to consume calcium, so that our bones get stronger. Which is, in fact, true. But calcium has much more to offer to our body. In this article we’ll tell you where you can find calcium, and other facts you probably don’t know about it.

Some of the calcium properties are:

• It is in charge of forming our bones in the growth stage. That is the reason why it is important for our bones to remain strong.
• It prevents osteoporosis and is also necessary in it’s treatment.
• Calcium is responsible for forming enamel, prevents tooth decay and preserves our teeth healthy.

• It is good for our skin care and its consumption can prevent colon cancer.
• It lowers cholesterol and blood pressure. In sumary, it improves our heart’s functioning. – It can even help you sleep! Many people use it as a natural muscle relaxant.

As you read, you must be asking where you can find it, here are ​some of the food with higher levels of calcium:

• All dairy products: cow’s milk, cheese, yogurt or butter.
• Other types of milk: almond, soy or rice.
• Legumes: Beans. In addition, this food is very good for the diet, since it includes fiber and protein. Soybeans are also noteworthy, since they are one of the richest legumes in calcium.
• Nuts such as almonds, which are also very good for our hearts.
• Fish: The small bones of the sardine are responsible for providing a good dose of calcium. Smoked salmon or shellfish are also a good source of calcium.
• Algae: In America the most common way to find them is in sushi.
• Fruits: Figs, kiwi, raspberry, lemon, plums or papaya, among others.
• Seafood.
• Seeds: sunflower and sesame.
• Kale or broccoli. These two are the vegetables that can bring the most calcium to our body.
• Egg: this nutrient is in its yolk.
• Tofu, since it comes from soybeans.

Calcium Supplements

Calcium supplements are designed for people who cannot eat calcium-rich foods due to numerous factors. That way they can consume the necessary dose of calcium for their body. These supplements are usually taken in the following cases:

• For vegan people: When following a diet without food that comes from animals, it can be more difficult to include it in meals.
• With certain digestive diseases (celiac disease).
• If proteins are consumed in high quantities. This makes our body absorb calcium faster.

• If you have osteoporosis: bone disease.

• For people lactose intolerant.

Remember that if you are thinking of taking calcium supplements, the first thing you should do is check with your doctor or dietitian and they will tell you if it is appropriate to include them in your diet.