 |
|
|
|
Men's Health | Women's Health | Children's Health | Elder Health Holistic Health | Healthy Heart | Cancer | Weight Loss Exercise & Fitness | Healthy Resources | HOME PAGE Health Club 101 DIRECT Natural Supplements | HGH Energizer | Eazol Natural Pain Relief | Revitol Cellulite Solution IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome | Menopause Symptoms Relief | Insomnia Sleeping Aid Articles & Information Medicine | Nutrition | Exercise | Fitness Equipment | Pregnancy Bodybuilding Supplements | Weight Loss | Breast Cancer | Diabetes Category Site Map |
 |
Calcium and Women: For More Than Just Bones
For women, calcium is one of the most important nutrients required during all stages of life. It is essential to the health of our bones, teeth, skin, heart, muscle, nerves and for proper blood clotting. Between age 12 through 35, the body accumulates most of the calcium it will use to prevent bone loss common in post-menopausal women. During this time intake should be between 1000 and 1500 mg/day (adolescent and pregnant woman requiring the most). Meeting these requirements through our diet can be difficult. Vegetarians tend to assimilate calcium more efficiently therefore their daily requirement may be lower. Factors such as a diet high in phosphorus and refined sugar (pop, junk, and convenience foods) and high protein intake lead to calcium depletion. Caffeine tends to interfere with absorption as does hormonal changes such as a drop in estrogen during menopause. During pregnancy, a woman's body ensures that the baby receives an adequate amount of calcium. Throughout weeks 20-40, the fetus will accumulate up to 28g of calcium daily. Luckily the body develops the ability to retain greater amounts of calcium from our diet as well as absorb more through the intestinal lining. Well known for preventing bone loss, this mineral also has a relaxing effect on muscle. Leg cramps, menstrual pain, and back problems all benefit from calcium. Some studies show that it lowers blood pressure and helps to strengthen the heart beat. It also strengthens the transmission of nerve impulses and can there fore be used in the treatment of stress-related illnesses and nervous disorders. It has a very calming effect and works well when taken at bedtime for insomnia. Good vegetarian sources of dietary calcium include broccoli, kale, almonds, blackstrap molasses, sesame seeds, kelp and tofu. Non-vegetarian sources include dairy products, salmon (with bones) and sardines. Because dairy may contain residual amounts of hormones and antibiotics, and fish has a possible risk of heavy metal and toxic chemical (PCB's, DDT) contamination, vegetarian sources are recommended, (especially during pregnancy). Calcium supplements can help protect against deficiency. Look for calcium citrate on the label and avoid bone meal, dolomite, and oyster shell as these may contain high lead levels. Liquid supplements are absorbed well and are recommended if you take calcium to prevent cramping and insomnia. Make sure it contains equal or half the amount of magnesium. The addition of vitamin D is good, but don't exceed 400mg of it per day. For best absorption, divide doses of calcium throughout the day and take no more than 500mg at a time for best absorption. It is important to look toward good nutrition to provide the bulk of your daily requirements, then supplement the remainder. 1 cup broccoli, 1/2 cup tofu, 1/4 cup almonds, 1 tbls basil, plus a 600mg supplement furnishes enough calcium for one day - and your body benefits from the countless additional nutrients your meal provides! Stacelynn Caughlan is a Clinical Nutritionist and Certified Herbalist who specializes in pregnancy, birth and childhood. She is currently the editor of http://www.motherandchildhealth.com an online resource for women looking for information on natural health and healing for themselves and their families.
MORE RESOURCES:
Men's Health
|
Women's
Health |
Children's
Health |
Elder
Health
Medicine - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Should You Be Taking Liquid Vitamins? How many pills do you have to take every morning? Lots of multivitamins in there? For most people the answer is yes, considering there are more multivitamins sold than Prozac or Viagra!I think my mom used to take at least five or six vitamins. I don't know about you, but I think that sounds like a big hassle, and I don't have time for it. The Need For Supplementation When I began to study nutrition, I too believed that it was possible and even easy to get all the nutrition I needed from diet alone.What I discovered was shocking to me. Fish Oil and Possible Disease Prevention Researchers working at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center state that DPA and DHA, primary components of fish oil, provide substantial protection against coronary heart disease. This study involved more tha six thousand middle-aged men who had samples of their blood taken between 1973 and 1976. What is Rhodiola Rosea? Rhodiola rosea is available commercially as a supplement and rhodiola rosea is extracted from the rhodiola rosea plant. Also called the 'golden root', rhodiola rosea is mainly found growing at high altitudes in Asia and Europe. Do Natural Thyroid Boosters Work? How Well Does Thyrin-ATC and Other Natural Thyroid Products Work?Hypothyroidism occurs when there is an inadequate secretion of thyroid hormones resulting in a slowing down of the body's metabolism. So many people just don't know how far-reaching an underactive thyroid problem can be. Should I Be Taking Vitamin Supplements? Most people believe that they are reasonably healthy. Exercise, having a solid diet, and keeping stress to a minimum is a great way to live a longer, happier, and healthier life. The Shocking Truth About Eight Deadly Diseases That May Be Affecting Your Health and Lifestyle I came across an article written by Dr. Ray Strand, a family practitioner and author of several books including What Your Doctor Doesn't know About Nutritional Medicine May Be Killing You; Releasing Fat; Developing Healthy Lifestyles That Have a Side-effect of Permanent Fat Loss; and Bionutrition: The Amazing Health Benefits of Vitamin Supplements, to name a few. Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - HMB HMB stands for beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate. It is a metabolite of leucine, one of the body's essential amino acids, with small amounts found naturally in catfish, grapefruit and alfalfa. Whey Protein - Natures Amazing Muscle Builder Are you concerned about taking care of your body before and after strenuous activities or workouts? Do you try to avoid supplements that contain additives and possible side effects?If you are interested in better health and improved physical fitness you have surely heard that bodybuilders and other athletes are turning to a simple, natural supplement called whey protein.WHY DO ATHLETES USE WHEY PROTEIN?Protein levels are depleted through exercise. Calcium Reduces Osteoporosis Risk For Women On The Pill The findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (10.1210/jc. Why Fucose? Haven't heard of fucose? Think it's the latest teen dance craze? Think again, because fucose could make a huge difference in your quality of life.Fucose is a rare sugar, one of the eight known bioactive sugars essential for proper cell to cell communication. Omega 3 and Reduced Risk of Myocardial Infarction Myocardial infarction is a technical term used to describe an irreversible injury to heart muscle. It is normally used as a synonym for a heart attack and will be so used in this essay. Popular Applications of Hyaluronic Acid Hyaluronic acid has received much press lately as a natural source of health and beauty. In fact, there are so many uses and benefits of hyaluronic acid, it is instructive to clarify and organize them. Nutritional Supplements: The Amazing Vitamin C The real facts about Vitamin C may surprise you. First of all what is Vitamin C? Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin. The Beneficial Effects Of Vitamins On Your Digestive System As much as we would like to deny it, the digestive system is our favorite system of the body. Why? Because it involves food of course. Vitamin C - The Most Common Health Food Supplement Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid was first isolated from lemons in 1932. The C in this very important vitamin is debatable and may stand for citrus, cold, or collagen for the following reasons. Acid Amino Arginine - An Acid With Many Benefits When you buy acid amino arginine you can look forward to a range of benefits that contribute to your health and body function. Many people buy acid amino arginine because this acid offers many benefits. Benefits of Bee Pollen Supplementation Since ancient time bee pollen has been considered as an ultimate health food in many ancient text and legends. Bee pollen has since then been praised as being a healing agent for many other ailments. Using Antioxidants in Your Weight Loss Program If you're smart, you should not only be focused on your goal to lose weight but to maximize your weight lossprogram to its full extent by getting some health benfitsout of it as well, and make them priority #1.One of the health benefits you should be aiming for as you lose weight should be getting a good daily dosage of antioxidants while on your weight loss plan and even afterward while in maintainence mode. Nutritional Nutrients Nutrients form the basis for your body, emotional and spiritual needs. Fruit, vegetables, carbohydrates and fish and lean meat is important, but we've all heard the scare stories, 'Mad cow disease', 'bird flu', 'radioactive fish', 'GM crop nightmares' - and the coincidental timing of all these has made some consumers think twice about what they eat.
|
|
home | site map Men's Health | Women's Health | Children's Health | Elder Health Holistic Health | Healthy Heart | Cancer | Weight Loss Exercise & Fitness | Healthy Resources |
|
|
