Home
>
Nutritional Supplements
>
Calcium and Women: For More Than Just Bones

Calcium and Women: For More Than Just Bones

For women, calcium is one of the most important nutrients required during all stages of life. It is essential to the health of our bones, teeth, skin, heart, muscle, nerves and for proper blood clotting. Between age 12 through 35, the body accumulates most of the calcium it will use to prevent bone loss common in post- menopausal women. During this time intake should be between 1000 and 1500 mg/day (adolescent and pregnant woman requiring the most).

Meeting these requirements through our diet can be difficult. Vegetarians tend to assimilate calcium more efficiently therefore their daily requirement may be lower. Factors such as a diet high in phosphorus and refined sugar (pop, junk, and convenience foods) and high protein intake lead to calcium depletion. Caffeine tends to interfere with absorption as does hormonal changes such as a drop in estrogen during menopause.

During pregnancy, a woman's body ensures that the baby receives an adequate amount of calcium. Throughout weeks 20-40, the fetus will accumulate up to 28g of calcium daily. Luckily the body develops the ability to retain greater amounts of calcium from our diet as well as absorb more through the intestinal lining.

Well known for preventing bone loss, this mineral also has a relaxing effect on muscle. Leg cramps, menstrual pain, and back problems all benefit from calcium. Some studies show that it lowers blood pressure and helps to strengthen the heart beat. It also strengthens the transmission of nerve impulses and can there fore be used in the treatment of stress-related illnesses and nervous disorders. It has a very calming effect and works well when taken at bedtime for insomnia.

Good vegetarian sources of dietary calcium include broccoli, kale, almonds, blackstrap molasses, sesame seeds, kelp and tofu. Non-vegetarian sources include dairy products, salmon (with bones) and sardines. Because dairy may contain residual amounts of hormones and antibiotics, and fish has a possible risk of heavy metal and toxic chemical (PCB's, DDT) contamination, vegetarian sources are recommended, (especially during pregnancy).

Calcium supplements can help protect against deficiency. Look for calcium citrate on the label and avoid bone meal, dolomite, and oyster shell as these may contain high lead levels. Liquid supplements are absorbed well and are recommended if you take calcium to prevent cramping and insomnia. Make sure it contains equal or half the amount of magnesium. The addition of vitamin D is good, but don't exceed 400mg of it per day. For best absorption, divide doses of calcium throughout the day and take no more than 500mg at a time for best absorption.

It is important to look toward good nutrition to provide the bulk of your daily requirements, then supplement the remainder. 1 cup broccoli, 1/2 cup tofu, 1/4 cup almonds, 1 tbls basil, plus a 600mg supplement furnishes enough calcium for one day - and your body benefits from the countless additional nutrients your meal provides!

Stacelynn Caughlan is a Clinical Nutritionist and Certified Herbalist who specializes in pregnancy, birth and childhood. She is currently the editor of http://www.motherandchildhealth.com an online resource for women looking for information on natural health and healing for themselves and their families.

one time home cleaning Highland Park ..

In The News:

Privacy risks are hiding in plain sight, as your personal data is likely being collected, tracked, and sold without your knowledge.

VenHub, a fully autonomous, AI-powered smart store just opened at the LAX/Metro Transit Center in Los Angeles.

A woman's Facebook account takeover reveals dangerous social engineering tactics and provides lessons on recovery, avoiding scams and enacting stronger security measures.

Shanghai engineers are using 432 walking robots to relocate a complex, preserving Shikumen architecture while creating space for a modern underground hub and cultural center.

Major healthcare data analytics firm Episource had a cybersecurity incident exposing 5 million patients' medical records and personal information in recent breach.

A new sophisticated PayPal scam sends legitimate-looking emails from official PayPal addresses, using phone numbers instead of links to convince victims to download remote access tools.

Fox News' AI Newsletter brings you the latest on this rapidly evolving technology.

The innovative Kara Pod device extracts moisture from air to create mineral-rich water and brew coffee, featuring UV sterilization and compatibility with Nespresso pods.

Gov. Hochul unveiled New York's nuclear power plant project to power a million homes, which faces permit challenges while promising jobs and a cleaner energy future.

SAFE introduces Aerie, an underground luxury bunker combining high-end living with advanced security, wellness amenities and interactive walls simulating panoramic views.

A Facebook scammer posing as Elon Musk tricked a victim with promises of a Tesla and $250,000, requesting gift cards that become untraceable once the codes are shared.

Experience hands-free golfing with the Robera Neo smart caddie that uses AI to follow you, navigate obstacles and carry your clubs with GPS course mapping.

Cybersecurity alert: 16 billion passwords exposed in massive credential database affecting major platforms. Protect your accounts with password managers

The innovative BeBot robot uses electric power to remove pollution from shorelines, covering 20-30 times more area than manual collection while preserving wildlife.

A new ClickFix campaign targets macOS users with fake Spectrum support sites, tricking victims with CAPTCHA failures to paste commands that install information-stealing malware.

AI-powered autonomous trucks from Plus Automation are being tested across the U.S., Europe and Asia to solve logistics challenges while facing regulatory hurdles and labor concerns.

Your health information might feel private and secure with your doctor, but the reality is far more complicated. Data brokers collect a wide range of sensitive health data, from diagnoses and prescription details to personal identifiers, and sell this data to marketers, insurers, and other third parties.

Kepler Robotics has officially introduced its Forerunner K2 "Bumblebee" humanoid robot at the SAIC-GM automotive plant in Shanghai, marking a significant moment in the real-world deployment of advanced robotics.

Scammers never seem to be running out of new ways to try and get their hands on your money – and lately, they've been getting sophisticated.

Thirty people were injured and killed, though the exact number remains currently unknown, when a suicide bomber blew himself up in a Damascus church.

Unexpected password reset alerts signal potential hacking attempts or phishing scams. Learn how to respond and establish stronger security measures for your accounts.

A historic electric airplane flight landed at JFK with passengers, marking a milestone as Beta Technologies demonstrates the practicality and efficiency of electric air travel.

The Chaos ransomware group breached Optima Tax Relief in a double-extortion attack, stealing sensitive customer case files and corporate documents with personal information.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

The first human brain-computer interface by Paradromics was completed in 20 minutes, featuring microelectrodes to help paralyzed individuals control computers with thoughts.

Calcium and Women: For More Than Just Bones

Nutritional Supplements