For years we have been led to believe many myths regarding ‘healthy foods’. Many of these myths have been to our detriment, including the importance of Calcium, singularly in the form of dairy products or as a singular supplement.
We absolutely need an adequate amount of Calcium in our diet in a digestible and usable form, with a significant percentage of our population deficient in this nutrient. We also need to give our body the environment and synergistic nutrients to absorb Calcium and utilise it throughout the body systems readily.
It is often a case of insufficient calcium intake but a deficiency in synergistic nutrients or the digestive system’s inability to process the form of consumed ‘calcium’.
Vitamin D, K and C deficiency, amongst others, will significantly impact your ability to utilise and absorb Calcium. Women with Autoimmune and other conditions will have an impaired digestive system adequate to break down and utilise nutrients. They will, in most circumstances, have deficiencies of Vitamin D specifically, in conjunction with others, impairing the ability to absorb nutrients such as Calcium.
On the other hand, consuming certain beverages, foods and excess specific nutrients will also impair the ability to utilise and maintain calcium levels. These include Caffeine, Alcohol, excess sugars and sodium. A systemic heavy metal burden, specifically lead, will also significantly impair absorption.
The best form of any nutrient or food is the least processed form intended for human consumption. The digestive system can then grab what it needs, process it, and utilise forms of individual nutrients optimally in the necessary biochemical pathways. With Calcium, for most women post 30 years, these foods include bone broth, almonds, broccoli, egg yolk, green leafy vegetables, bony fish such as sardines and anchovies, turnips, sesame seeds, figs and soybeans. We reach our maximum Calcium levels at around 30 years, making it crucial to maintain that level from that point forward for bone health and integrity.
Suppose you have a family history of bone disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, or low bone density. For this reason, it is critical to insist on having levels checked as early as possible to create the maximum level possible by 30 years.
Other signs that you may need to check levels include brittle fingernails, poor teeth health, cramps and lower back pain. However, there are naturally many other signs that may be a part of this picture.
Other signs, while they may seem to indicate low or high Calcium, can indicate the opposite. Often calcium deposits such as bone spurs, calcium kidney or gallstones need further investigation to establish if they are due to excess, deficiency or an absorption problem. The body often attempts to store or hold some nutrients when it recognises a supply issue.
Are you getting enough?
