Tuesday 28 June 2022

Calcium - did you know ?


Calcium has several important functions.
These include:
  • helping build bones and keep teeth healthy
  • regulating muscle contractions, including your heartbeat
  • making sure blood clots normally
A lack of calcium could lead to a condition called rickets in children, and osteomalacia or osteoporosis in later life.

Sources of calcium
Sources of calcium include:
  • milk, cheese and other dairy foods
  • green leafy vegetables – such as curly kale, okra but not spinach (spinach does contain high levels of calcium but the body cannot digest it all)
  • soya drinks with added calcium
  • bread and anything made with fortified flour
  • fish where you eat the bones – such as sardines and pilchards
How much calcium do I need?
Adults aged 19 to 64 need 700mg of calcium a day.

You should be able to get all the calcium you need from your daily diet.

What happens if I take too much calcium?
Taking high doses of calcium (more than 1,500mg a day) could lead to stomach pain and diarrhoea.

What does the Department of Health and Social Care advise?
You should be able to get all the calcium you need by eating a varied and balanced diet.

If you take calcium supplements, do not take too much as this could be harmful.

Taking 1,500mg or less a day is unlikely to cause any harm.
Above words taken from here

For readers who cannot tolerate dairy this post may be of interest
Non-Dairy Sources of Calcium-Rich Foods see here

The above is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local health care provider.

Dear reader, a variety of articles, studies and recipe ideas are within this blog, and not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

38 comments:

  1. Interesting, as always. When I broke my leg, the dr. had me take extra calcium.

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  2. ..I think that by eating many calcium rich food that I'm OK!

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  3. I didn't know we couldn't get the calcium out of spinach. You learn something new every day. Happy new week.

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  4. Muy completa entrada te mando un beso.

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  5. Orange look so mouth watering.
    Coffee is on and stay safe

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  6. Lots of good information here!

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  7. I eat a lot of dairy products, so I think I'm ok there! Valerie

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  8. Good article. Thanx Jan.

    God bless.

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  9. I'm not a milk drinker but I do eat most of the things you list.

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  10. Am I glad I love and can eat cheese!

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  11. Great info, thanks for sharing.
    Take care, have a great day!

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  12. And I thought calcium just stopped at dairy.

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  13. Great article! I've always loved milk products, so no problem with calcium. However I found that I was very low in Magnesium, so I actually take a magnesium supplement at night. Calcium and Magnesium have to be in balance for the best health. BTW your articles on Magnesium are excellent!

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  14. As usual, information is great and useful. Thanks for sharing. Greetings.

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  15. Good info, thanks for sharing.

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  16. Boa tarde meu querido amigo. Obrigado pela excelente matéria e dicas sobre cálcio.

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  17. I thought calcium was just for bones and teeth, I didn't realise that it kept muscles healthy too! Take care and have a great week, Sue xx

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  18. I often wonder if I get enough as I am dairy intolerant!

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  19. thanks Jan - calclium is important for sure.

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  20. That's interesting, especially about not being able to digest calcium in spinach.xxx

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  21. Important information. I eat yogurt or cottage cheese every day and fish several times a week. I do use a calcium supplement along with Vitamin D and Magnesium.

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  22. I'm a milk drinker and have always been.
    Thanks for the information.

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  23. Very good information. Thank you!

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  24. As always very interesting information, I have a little osteoarthritis and I think it is good for me to take the necessary calcium at least so that it does not advance.
    Best regards.

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  25. Great information and a chance to take stock of the calcium I intake. :) Thanks!
    ~Jess

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  26. Thank you so much. I love it. I am drinking milk every day. Raw milk (after cooking).

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  27. I eat a lot of spinach, I did not know that you can't absorb the calcium in it.

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  28. Siempre son muy interesantes tus reportajes. Gracias y besos.

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  29. Sigh... I wish I took more calcium when my bones were still growing.

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  30. I eat most of the foods you list, especially cheese. It makes a fine companion for my wine!

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The best of health to you and yours.

Eddie