Calcium

Calcium is a mineral your body needs to build and maintain strong bones and to carry out many important functions.

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. Almost all calcium in the body is stored in bones and teeth, giving them structure and hardness.

The benefits of calcium include:

• Strong Healthy Bones

• Strong Healthy Teeth

• Aids Muscle Movement

• Supports the Nervous System

• Cardiovascular Heart Health

• Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment

• May Help Reduce the Risks of High Blood Pressure

Calcium helps your body with:

• Building strong bones and teeth

• Clotting blood

• Sending and receiving nerve signals

• Squeezing and relaxing muscles

• Releasing hormones and other chemicals

• Keeping a normal heartbeat

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium so it is important to ensure your Vitamin D levels are good especially as you age to prevent osteoporosis.

Here are some great forms of Vitamin D:

• Sunshine

• Wild Salmon

• Mackerel

• Sardines

• Mushrooms

• Egg yolks

• Red meat

• Liver

• Orange juice or almond milk fortified in Vitamin D

If you are low in Vitamin D you may need to take a supplement, check with your GP.

Here is a list of quality foods which are higher in calcium:

• Whole salt

• Dark Green veg

• Sesame seeds

• Beans

• Peas

• Lentils

• Almonds

• Chia Seeds

• Edamame

• Chickpeas

• Quinoa

• Sweet Potato

• Tofu

Things to avoid are:

Refined sugar and caffeine which both leach calcium. Dairy foods create an acidic environment within the body which then leaches calcium from the bones to prevent the body from becoming too acidic.

To ensure your bones stay nice and strong make sure your nutrition is on point and you are doing weight bearing exercise.