Calcium is the most abundant mineral in your body and it plays several important roles for maintaining your health. 99% of it supports your structure in your bones and teeth. The remainder is found throughout the body in blood, muscle, and the fluid between cells.
Your bones are continuously changing, being breakdown and formed. This balance between breakdown and formation changes as you age. In aging adults, particularly among postmenopausal women, bone breakdown exceeds its formation, resulting in bone loss, which increases the risk for osteoporosis.
Calcium is also needed for muscle contraction, blood vessel contraction and expansion, the secretion of hormones and enzymes, and sending messages through the nervous system. A constant level of calcium is maintained in body fluid and tissues so that these vital body processes function efficiently.
If your calcium intake is low or calcium is poorly absorbed, bone breakdown occurs because the body must use the calcium stored in bones to maintain normal biological functions such as nerve and muscle function. Bone loss occurs and puts you at risk for developing osteoporosis.
The recommended daily intake for an average adult is 1000 mg, over age 50 this amount increases to 1200 mg.
Dairy products are a good source of calcium. However, other foods can contribute to your overall calcium intake.
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