Calcium
Calcium is a mineral your body needs to build and maintain strong bones and to carry out many important functions.
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. Almost all calcium in the body is stored in bones and teeth, giving them structure and hardness.
The benefits of calcium include:
Strong Healthy Bones
Strong Healthy Teeth
Aids Muscle Movement
Supports the Nervous System
Cardiovascular Heart Health
Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment
May Help Reduce the Risks of High Blood Pressure
Calcium helps your body with:
Building strong bones and teeth
Clotting blood
Sending and receiving nerve signals
Squeezing and relaxing muscles
Releasing hormones and other chemicals
Keeping a normal heartbeat
Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium so it is important to ensure your Vitamin D levels are good especially as you age to prevent osteoporosis.
Here are some great forms of Vitamin D:
Sunshine
Wild Salmon
Mackerel
Sardines
Mushrooms
Egg yolks
Red meat
Liver
Orange juice or almond milk fortified in Vitamin D
If you are low in Vitamin D you may need to take a supplement, check with your GP.
Here is a list of quality foods which are higher in calcium:
Whole salt
Dark Green veg
Sesame seeds
Beans
Peas
Lentils
Almonds
Chia Seeds
Edamame
Chickpeas
Quinoa
Sweet Potato
Tofu
Things to avoid are:
Refined sugar and caffeine which both leach calcium. Dairy foods create an acidic environment within the body which then leaches calcium from the bones to prevent the body from becoming too acidic.
To ensure your bones stay nice and strong make sure your nutrition is on point and you are doing weight bearing exercise.