Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and we need a considerable amount of it to maintain the correct level.
If you don’t have enough calcium in your body fluids (blood and other extracellular fluids) your body will take calcium from your bones.
I see a lot of people shunning dairy products but not compensating for that by increasing calcium in other ways – though dairy is the easiest way to get enough calcium. People often jump on the dairy intolerance fashion or just worry that dairy products will make them fat. Big mistake!
Symptoms of calcium deficiency include:
- Brittle bones (osteopenia and osteoporosis)
- Dy skin and nails
- Poor blood clotting
- Heart arrhythmias
- Tingling fingers and toes
But remember that the body has a lovely source of calcium by getting it from your bones, so the above symptoms are unlikely to occur to a great degree while you still have that fantastic source…. mmm mmmm…
The best way to get calcium is from food. Supplements are not the way forward – unless prescribed by doctor – because taking supplements randomly can affect levels of other vitamins and minerals in the body and there is then a risk of having too much calcium, or whatever supplement you go for.
200 million people worldwide suffer from osteoporosis. Don’t let one of them be you.