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- FUNCTION-
-
- Calcium is an essential mine-
- ral in building and maintain-
- ing strong bones and teeth.
- Calcium also helps regulate
- heartbeat, muscle contrac-
- tions, proper blood clotting,
- and may also play a role in
- blood pressure and help pre-
- vent or minimize osteo-
- porosis. Vitamin D and lac-
- tose (milk sugar) aids the
- body in the absorption of
- calcium.
-
-
- FOOD SOURCES-
-
- Milk and milk products, dark
- green leafy vegetables, broc-
- coli, tofu made with calcium
- carbonate, sardines and
- salmon with bones, and
- some fortified cereals and
- orange juice.
-
-
- RISKS WITH EXCESS-
-
- There is no risk with excess
- calcium from food sources.
- Other than constipation with
- supplementation, there are
- no adverse effects from
- levels below 2,400 mg per
- day for most healthy adults.
- Supplementation above
- 2,400 mg per day may inhibit
- the absorption of other mine-
- rals (iron and zinc).
-
-
- RISKS WITH DEFICIENCY-
-
- The majority of women of all
- ages fall below the recom-
- mended amounts of daily
- calcium. People with gastro-
- intestinal disorders may not
- be able to absorb calcium,
- and certain medications
- (Glucocorticoids) block cal-
- cium absorption. The FDA
- states that regular exercise
- and a healthy diet with
- enough calcium helps teen
- and young adult white and
- Asian women maintain good
- bone health and may reduce
- their risk of osteoporosis
- later in life.
-
-
-