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Calcium By Sarah Tewhey Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body and nearly all human calcium is stored for use in the bones and teeth. This hardened calcium is necessary for the integrity of the skeletal system and is especially important in growing children. The calcium in the bones also acts as a storage bank to be used during periods of calcium deficiency in the diet. There is also a small amount of calcium present in the soft tissues. This calcium makes up about one percent of the total calcium in the body and is important for blood clotting, muscle contraction, hormone secretion and a healthy nervous system. In a healthy diet calcium for the soft tissue comes from food. However, if dietarycalcium needs are not met the body will pull calcium from the harder tissues to compensate. Maintaining this one percent balance of calcium in the soft tissue and blood is among the most important priorities of the body. Using several hormones and Vitamin D calcium is absorbed from food. Vitamin D is responsible for the absorption and assimilation of this mineral. While Vitamin D is available in fortified milk, eggs and butter, the easiest way to receive Vitamin D is through sunlight. Our bodies can synthesize all the Vitamin D needed from about fifteen minutes of exposure to the sun every day. (Weil 103) When dietary calcium is not available it is taken from the bones in order to maintain the equilibrium in the soft tissue. Because the substances associated with the absorption of calcium know how to take this mineral from the bones, a serious dietary deficiency of calcium will generally not be evident for years. Over time the bones will become fragile and depleted causing eventual osteoporosis. (Weil 128) In the United States menopausal women are suffering in high numbers from osteoporosis. In response to this, American women are being encouraged to increase their intake of calcium through dairy, calcium fortified soy products and dietary supplements. What women are not being told is how a high protein diet affects calcium in the body. When carbohydrates and fats are consumed in the metabolic process they create simply water and carbon dioxide as bi products. However, as protein is burned for fuel nitrogen residues are left behind in the form of ammonia. Our bodies have learned to turn this toxic ammonia into the far more benign compound known as urea. (Weil 105) This urea must be flushed from the body. This job goes to the kidneys. As the kidneys work to rid the body of urea other minerals are also evacuated through the urine. The highest mineral lost through protein metabolism is calcium. (Weil 106) Most Americans take in twice the recommended 50 grams of protein every day. To prevent osteoporosis and protect the bones from donating too much calcium dietary protein must be held in check. To maintain a diet with ample calcium a variety of foods can be utilized. Seaweeds have among the highest level of calcium of any food available, followed by wheat and barley grasses. Dairy products, fish such as sardines and salmon, blackstrap molasses, tofu and leafy green vegetables are among the best sources of calcium. Weil, A. (2001) Eating well for optimal health. New York: Quill. copyright 2003 ------------------------------------------------------------ Sarah Tewhey is a student and teacher of Yoga, Ayurveda and the healing arts. She completed two years of study with Dr. Vasant Lad at The Ayurvedic Institute and a B.S. at Lesley University in Mind/Body Studies with a specialization in the female healing process and its relationship to modern medicine. Sarah is currently a student in the Masters program at Southwest Acupuncture College in Albuquerque. Sarah can be contacted at: sarah@ayurlight.com |
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