Should You Take Calcium Supplements?

Mind is All

Most of us are aware that calcium builds bones and teeth, but are calcium supplements important? This health guide will tell you if you're consuming enough calcium so you'll know if you need a supplement or not.

Why do you need calcium? Calcium facilatates proper muscle and heart function, and it builds strong bones and teeth. Every day your body takes calcium from its stores – which happen to be your bones and teeth—and then replaces the calcium in those stores with the calcium you eat. If your calcium intake is low, your bones and teeth get weaker and weaker as time goes by, since the body keeps making withdrawals from your bones and teeth, regardless of how much or little calcium you are restoring. This is why your daily calcium intake matters.

What should you do to get enough calcium? You can get plenty of calcium from milk products and shrimp, salmon, and sardines. There is a lot of calcium available in leafy greens and soybean products, but some people are wary of these two sources because of the presence of oxalate, which might drain calcium from the body.

How much calcium do you need in a day? Kids need at least 400 mg, teens and adults need at least 800 mg, and pregant and lactating moms need at least 1200 mg a day. If you are an adult female, you will benefit from taking 1500 mg a day.

Should you take calcium supplements? Most women don't eat enough calcium and would benefit from supplements to protect them from osteoporosis. If you eat a vegan diet, you’ll want to take calcium supplements since you aren’t eating dairy. Buy calcium supplements made from calcium citrate (for best absorption). Try taking one 500 mg supplement with your breakfast, one with lunch, and one with dinner--this will maximize absorption. You need vitamin D to adequately absorb the calcium, so take a vitamin D supplement as well.

Calcium supplements build strong bones and teeth, which makes you stronger!