Over the past 20 years, there has been much press about the importance of Calcium in our diet. Many people have resorted to Calcium supplements and dairy as their main dietary sources. It is often thought that Calcium is solely for bone strength, but in fact, it does much more than that. Let’s discuss great dietary sources of Calcium and the effects on the body if there is a lack of Calcium in the diet.
Calcium is a necessary mineral that we need to ascertain in our diet. According to a study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), more than 75% of Americans are not meeting current dietary recommendations for calcium. In conjunction with Magnesium, it is used for muscle contraction, bone density, tooth integrity, blood clotting, heartbeat, restores proper pH in our bodies by removing acids, and contributes to nerve conduction. Repeated consumption of high fructose corn syrups and sugars, and processed packaged foods that contain additives, and hydrogenated oils cause the body’s pH level to become acidic. Many degenerative diseases stem from increased acidic levels in the body, including: Osteoporosis, Arthritis, abnormal cell growth and cancers, heart problems, kidney and gall stones, chronic fatigue, cavities, and mood swings. With childhood Calcium and Vitamin D deficiency, common signs to look for are irritability, tremors, and jitteriness. Especially in newborns, much of their consumption comes from breast-feeding, and those infants who are bottle fed will need to get more Calcium from other sources. Continue reading “Help! I Need More Calcium!”