How Important is Calcium?

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Dairy Group We all need Calcium. You need to consume plenty of calcium every day whether you are young or old because it is essential for your health.

Calcium is an important nutrient that everyone needs. It can help adults’ battle osteoporosis and help kids’ bones grow strong. Calcium can help control blood pressure and help the function of your nervous system.

Calcium from dairy products:
If you eat a lot of dairy foods you probably get a good amount of calcium from your diet. Most milk products have a fair amount of calcium, and milk itself is one of the best sources. Yogurt, cheese and ice cream also provide a great deal of calcium.

Three to four servings of dairy products every day will give you enough calcium. A cup of milk or bowl of cereal, two servings of cheese, and a yogurt will give you your body the calcium it needs.

Calcium from non-dairy sources:
Many people do not consume enough calcium through dairy products. Some people are lactose intolerant or allergic to milk, others are vegans, and some people just don’t like dairy products. Therefore it can be more difficult – though not impossible – to get your daily recommended amount of calcium if you avoid dairy altogether.

Salmon and canned sardines provide as much calcium as most dairy products. These sources of calcium would work well for many of the people mentioned before, except for vegans.

Tofu along with vegetables such as broccoli, peas, brussel sprouts, turnips, collard greens, and kale are all excellent choices for anyone seeking calcium from non-dairy sources.

If none of the options above appeal to you, there are still other ways to get calcium in your diet. Almonds and sesame seeds provide calcium. Many different foods are also fortified with calcium in order to make it easier for consumers to get enough of it. Some of these foods include cereal, orange juice, bread, and various drink mixes. If you drink soy milk, some brands have added calcium as well.

People that do not get sufficient calcium through diet alone are often advised to take calcium supplements.

Children and teenagers need higher amounts of calcium than adults, so this is especially true for them. If you are using a multivitamin, it is crucial that you read the label to find out how much calcium it contains. Many multivitamins do not contain adequate amounts of calcium, so a separate supplement may be needed.

Much of the population today does not consume enough calcium in their diets. This can and will lead to bone loss as well as other problems. Even if you do not like milk or other dairy products, it is still entirely possible to consume enough calcium. Calcium can do great things for your health, whether you obtain it from food sources or supplements.

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