Calcium - Important Mineral for Women's Health
Calcium is an important mineral for women's health, but it can be difficult to get enough calcium in your diet. The good news is that there are plenty of foods you can enjoy which provide calcium. In this post, we will cover all you need to know about calcium for women.
What is calcium, and why do women need it?
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body, comprising approximately two
percent of a person's body weight. Three-quarters of the body's calcium supply
is stored in bone, while the remaining fraction is present in blood and soft
tissues, where it fulfills a number of different roles. In bone, calcium is
stored in the spaces between cells and is released when needed. In blood, 99
percent of the calcium is bound to proteins that transport it around the body.
The remaining one percent maintains a number of different chemical reactions
essential to life, such as nerve function and muscle contraction, including
heart contractions).
How much calcium should a woman get every day?
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for women between 19 and 50 years of age
is 1000 mg per day. This level of intake may not be adequate to meet the needs
of women who have passed through menopause. After menopause, women experience a
rapid decline in the level of estrogen circulating in their bloodstreams.
Estrogen regulates the way the body uses calcium, so fewer estrogen results in
more calcium being excreted rather than absorbed by the bones. Thus, older women
are more vulnerable to osteoporosis or porous bone disease.
Tips to increase your intake of calcium
To increase your intake of calcium
1. Eat more dairy products, including
regular and low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese
2. Eat dark green vegetables such as kale,
broccoli, and okra which are the best calcium foods.
3. Eat canned fish with the bones included,
such as salmon or sardines
4. Eat legumes (beans and peas), including
soy products like tofu or tempeh
5. Take calcium supplements if you cannot
eat enough of these foods; one good example could be 'Women's Horlicks Flavors.'
6. Calcium can also be found in fortified
beverages such as orange juice and soy milk
7. Limit foods that deplete calcium from
the body, such as caffeine and salt.
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