ÿþ<html> <title>Nutter's Bulk & Natural Foods - Article on Calcium</title> <meta name="description" content="Almost every part of our body, including our muscles, bones, blood and skin, depend on calcium every day."> <meta name="keywords" content="calcium, vitamins, minerals, bones, teeth, heartbeat, nerve, nerve impulses, postmenopausal, bone, bone density"> <STYLE> A:visited {text-decoration:none} A:active {text-decoration:none} </head> <center> <table width=800 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0> <td width=800 valign=top> </td></tr> <tr> <font face="Arial" size=4 color="#E0E0E0"> <a href="index.php"><font color=white>Home</a> | <a href="stores.html"><font color=white>Locate A Store</a> | <a href="wellbeing.html"><font color=white>Wellbeing Information</a> | <a href="recipes.html"><font color=white>Recipes</a> </table> <table width=800 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0> <td width=800 valign=top> <a href="artsindex.html"><font face="Times New Roman" size=4" color=red> <br> <br> <br> <br> <tr> <font face="Arial" size=2> Women 31-50<br> Men 31-50<br> <td width=105 valign=top> 1,000mg<br> 1,000mg<br> </td></tr> <br> <br> <tr> <font face="Arial" size=2> 1 cup ice cream<br> 1 oz. cheddar cheese, hard<br> 8 oz. orange juice, calcium fortified<br> <td width=85 valign=top> 200mg<br> 180mg<br> 300mg<br> </td></tr> <br> <b>THE FUNCTIONS OF CALCIUM IN THE BODY</b><br> Approximately 99% of the calcium in our body is stored in our bones and teeth, making up part of their composition. The remaining 1% can be found in intercellular fluids as calcium ions, in the blood and in our muscles. As for what calcium does for our body, that's a very long list. <br> Calcium plays a key role in:<UL> <LI>lowering cholesterol levels <LI>keeping gums healthy <LI>the prevention of muscle cramping <LI>lowering blood pressure <LI>activating enzymes which break down fats <LI>keeping skin healthy </UL> Bones need plenty of calcium and vitamin D throughout childhood and adolescence to reach their peak strength and calcium content by about age 30. After that, bones slowly lose calcium, but people can help reduce these losses by getting recommended amounts of calcium throughout adulthood and by having a healthy, active lifestyle that includes weight-bearing physical activity. <br> Some studies have found that getting recommended intakes of calcium can reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure (hypertension). One large study in particular found that eating a diet high in low-fat and fat-free dairy products, vegetables, and fruits lowered blood pressure. <br> Several studies have also shown that getting more calcium helps lower body weight or reduce weight gain over time. <font size=1>1</font><br> There are some factors to take into consideration when talking about calcium. For instance, calcium requires the amino acid <i>lysine</i> for maximum absorption by the body. Lysine can be found in foods such as cheese, eggs, fish, lima beans, milk, potatoes, red meat, soy products and brewer's yeast. It is also available in supplement form. <br> Female athletes and menopausal women need greater amounts of calcium because their estrogen levels are lower. Estrogen protects the skeletal system by promoting the deposition of calcium in bone. Lower estrogen means less deposition of calcium in the bone. With female athletes, heavy exercising hinders calcium uptake, however, moderate exercise promotes it. Take your vitamin D too, as it helps with calcium uptake as well. <br> Even certain supplements should never be mixed. You should avoid taking calcium at the same time as an iron supplement as they will bind together and neither can be absorbed by the body properly. Too much calcium interferes with the absorption of zinc and excess zinc can interfere with calcium absorption. The best ratio for most people is 2500mg of calcium with 50mg of zinc. But, as always, check with your primary health care provider for confirmation on how much of each your situation warrants as calcium can interfere with the effectiveness of certain medications. A simple hair analysis can determine the levels of calcium and zinc (and other minerals) in your body. <br> <b>WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF A CALCIUM DEFICIENCY?</b><br> Certain groups of people are more likely than others to have trouble getting enough calcium, including:<UL> <LI>women athletes <LI>people with lactose intolerance, and </UL> There are also factors which can affect the amount of calcium absorbed from the digestive tract, including:<UL> <LI>lack of vitamin D intake, and </UL> Calcium deficiency can lead to:<UL> <LI>brittle nails <LI>elevated blood cholesterol <LI>hypertension <LI>muscle cramps <LI>numbness in the arms and/or legs, <LI>rheumatoid arthritis <LI>convulsions <LI>low bone mass and increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <b>Stress & Hypertension</b> Stress creates an excellent breeding ground for illnesses, including cardiovascular disease. Increased adrenaline production in the body can lead to nutritional deficiencies as increased adrenaline production causes the body to step up its metabolism of proteins, fats and carbs to quickly produce energy. This response causes the body to store less calcium. The adrenal hormone cortisol also regulates blood pressure which we know benefits from the maintenance of the minimum requirement of calcium in the body. Stress = less calcium, which = a higher risk of hypertension. <br> <b>NUTRITIONAL SOURCES OF CALCIUM</b><br> <UL> <LI>Seafood <LI>Almonds <LI>Brewer's yeast <LI>Kelp <LI>Soybeans </UL> Herbs, such as alfalfa, cayenne, chamomile, chicory, dandelion, flaxseed, lemongrass, paprika, parsley, peppermint, raspberry leaves, rose hips and fennel seed. <br> <b>NUTTERS CAN SUGGEST&</b><br> <img src="nfcalmag.jpg" align=left hspace=24 vspace=12><br> <br> Calcium is required for strong bones, teeth and cardiovascular function and calcium citrate may be the preferred form of calcium for those with low stomach acid. As well as protecting the body from stress, magnesium works with calcium to provide help to these same body systems and participates in more than 50 different biochemical reactions. The other minerals, including manganese, potassium and zinc, are also in the citrate form for better absorption and utilization by the cells, and they provide a valuable contribution to bone strength. <br> <br> <br> <br> http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-Consumer/ <br> 2. Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fourth Edition, Phyllis A. Balch, CNC<br> 3. Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Government<br> <br> <br> http://www.emedicinehealth.com/osteoporosis_and_calcium/page3_em.htm <br> <br> <br><br> <br> </td></tr> <tr> <img src="dancingbanner.jpg"> <td width=800 height=40 bgcolor="#c62a29"> <b>Nutter's Bulk & Natural Foods </b>107, 1601 Dunmore Road SE., Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1Z8 (403) 529-1664 <img src="transpacer.gif" height=20 width=20 ALIGN="absmiddle"> </td></tr> </html>