Are You Consuming Enough Calcium?

Most mothers have been heard at one time or another, telling their children to drink their milk as it will give them healthy and strong bones. While this wise, very few mothers do not tell their children the proper reason as to why calcium is needed and what would happen if the body did not receive adequate levels of it.

Calcium is need for far more reasons other than healthy and strong bones. The mineral calcium is needed for the proper function of nerves, muscles, blood clotting as well as healthy bones and teeth. Calcium supplement pills should never be used as substitutes because a glass of milk will provide you with more nutrients than a supplement pill would. One of these nutrients would be Vitamin D, which is fundamental is the absorption of calcium into the body. Supplements can however be used in conjunction with ones daily intake of natural calcium intake through food and drink if you feel that you're not consuming adequate amounts of calcium. It is advisable to always ensure that you're consuming enough Vitamin D too.

Are you getting enough calcium in your everyday diet? Let's see. Healthy levels of calcium will ensure that your teeth are strong thus preventing most dental problems. Calcium consumption also helps in relieving back pain by strengthening your spine. Sufficient Calcium intake helps to keep your blood pressure at proper levels and it also aids in muscle contraction, thereby enabling the heart and blood vessels to perform their function effectively. Broken bones will heal properly and faster. One is less likely to suffer from muscle and neck cramps and spasms. Your hair, nails and skin will be looking their best.

There are many benefits to having proper calcium levels in the body. But what would happen to the body if one wasn't consuming adequate levels of calcium? There are a number of symptoms that one would notice or pick up on however some of these symptoms are easy to misdiagnose as they are very similar to other illness symptoms.

Lack of proper levels of calcium could leave one with a Calcium Deficiency, . Your nails would be brittle and your skin, pale and dry. Muscle cramps and aches would increase as well as back pains. One can even develop a sleep disorder such as insomnia or suffer from depression. People have also been known to complain about a "pins and needles" sensation around the mouth and fingers.

Low levels of calcium can result in skeletal abnormalities. The bones become brittle and are prone to fractures. It causes reduced bone density making them thinner, weaker and harder to heal when broken. If ignored in the early stages, it can lead to bone disorders like osteopenia and osteoporosis. There are some less common symptoms of low calcium levels like hypertension and kidney stones.

Are you getting enough calcium ladies? It is fundamental that woman consume adequate levels of calcium, especially pregnant woman because if they don't, it could lead to unusual and painful menstrual cramps, anemia and even miscarriages. As mentioned, lack of calcium in the diet can pose a risk to osteopenia and eventually osteoporosis in menopausal women.

When asking the question are you getting enough calcium, there are many ways to determine this as the body holds no secrets. However, always make sure to consult a health care professional before adding supplements to your diet.

You can learn more about calcium at Calcium Deficiency.

Jamie Silvester is a writer for Health and Fitness Publications and has over 6 years experience. He mainly focuses on Bone Health and Mineral Deficiencies.

To find out more about calcium deficiency you can visit his blog: Calcium Deficiency,