Most of our patients are well aware of the benefits of calcium intake for healthy bones. However, you may not realize that there are many other benefits of a diet healthy in calcium – benefits that reach far beyond strong bones.
Calcium is the most common mineral found in the body and is important to the health of the nerves, muscles, heart and endocrine system. For example, a diet rich in calcium can help manage blood’s clotting abilities, regulate your heartbeat, release hormones, maintain muscle health and receive nerve impulses.
Calcium is important to your bones, mostly because of these other functions. When your body cannot find enough calcium to maintain these other major functions – it will look to your bones for calcium deposits. This phenomenon can cause conditions such as osteoporosis if not remedied over time.
In order to boost your calcium intake, be sure to consume a diet rich in milk, yogurt and cheeses. Calcium can also be found in leafy greens and broccoli as well as salmon, beans, nuts and seeds. It is also important to pair your calcium intake with a Vitamin D supplement – this will help your body absorb the calcium your are taking in.
