Calcium is an essential mineral that makes up most of the bones and teeth. It has tasks such as heart health, muscle function and generating nerve signals. Muscle contraction, blood pressure regulation, nerve conduction and blood clotting can be counted as the benefits of calcium. Foods containing calcium are yogurt, milk, cheese, green leafy vegetables, legumes, oilseeds and dried fruits.
Calcium is one of the first minerals we learn in our childhood. “Drink our mother's milk, otherwise you can't get calcium and your bones won't develop,” he forced her to drink milk. It was recommended that we take plenty of calcium in our youth, and it was said that it was necessary to avoid osteoporosis when we got older. The insistence of our elders that we take calcium is really justified. You will understand this better after reading the article.
What is Calcium?
Calcium is an essential chemical element that appears in the human body as a soft silver-gray metal. This mineral is stored in the bones and teeth of humans and many other animals. Bones store it for release into the bloodstream when needed.
If you think it is only necessary for our bone health, you are wrong. Calcium is necessary for much more than bone health. It is used to eat foods rich in calcium, to ensure intercellular nerve communication, blood clotting, hormone secretion and muscle contraction.
Another surprising benefit of eating these foods is that they help control appetite. So it potentially makes weight loss easier. calcium, magnesium in the blood,phosphorus vepotassium It is also important to control the levels.
Roles of Calcium in the Body
Calcium is used to circulate blood, move muscles, and release hormones.
It allows the messages from the brain to be carried to other parts of the body.
It strengthens teeth and bones.
We mentioned that calcium is stored in bones. If you do not eat foods rich in calcium, the body will absorb this mineral from the bones. In this way, the bones will weaken over time and will not be able to function.
Since our body cannot produce calcium, we have to get this mineral from food.
The body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium.
Calcium is more important for women. becausepremenstrual syndromeAlleviates the symptoms of PMS.
Calcium is also essential for the development of children. Children who do not get enough calcium cannot grow in height.
Calcium-containing foods support bone and skeletal health.
Getting enough of this mineral becomes more important as you age.Bone healthnecessary for its protection.
foods containing calciumEating reduces the risk of certain types of cancer, such as colon and rectal cancers.
This mineral, which is very important for our body, also helps to lose weight. Eating calcium-rich foods cuts the appetite and reduces calorie intake.
Calcium-containing foods help relax the smooth muscle tissues found in veins and arteries.
The most important benefitIt prevents blood clotting and lowers blood pressure.
Controls and prevents high blood pressure.
Relieves PMS symptoms.
Calcium is most commonly found in milk and dairy products.
Foods Containing Calcium
This mineral is stored in our body in bones and teeth. Eating foods containing calcium has a critical function in strengthening and protecting bones. Our bodies need calcium to support muscle and nerve function, balance blood pressure and hormone levels, and facilitate communication between cells. So what foods is calcium found in?Calcium-rich foods are dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. However, many non-dairy foods also contain high amounts of this mineral. Let's take a look at foods containing calcium.
Milk
Cheese: The cheese with the most calcium is Parmesan cheese. Soft cheeses are lower in calcium.
Whey protein
Yoghurt: Choose homemade yogurt for high calcium content.
Fruits: Some fruit varieties contain good amounts of calcium.OrangelIt is one of the fruits with higher calcium content than other fruits. Currants, blackberries andraspberry also enters this list. Dried figs are the dried fruit with the most calcium.
Daily Calcium Needs
The amount of calcium required for healthy bones and teeth varies with age. Recommended daily calcium requirement for adults:
There may not be clear symptoms in the early stage of low calcium. Symptoms are usually mild.
What is Calcium Deficiency?
Compared to other minerals, we need higher amounts of calcium every day. These are foods containing calcium.This makes it very important for many reasons. What happens when we don't get enough calcium? Calcium deficiency may occur.
What Causes Calcium Deficiency?
The risk of calcium deficiency increases as you get older. In general, we can list the causes of calcium deficiency as follows;
Poor calcium intake over a long period of time, especially in childhood
The risk of developing osteopenia or osteoporosis is increased.
Tooth decay develops.
Bone fractures may occur.
Muscle tension may occur.
The risk of high blood pressure increases.
Arteries may harden.
It triggers inflammation.
PMS symptoms may be experienced.
Indigestion may occur.
There is a higher risk for kidney stones and gallstones.
The risk of heart disease and diabetes increases.
A higher risk occurs for certain types of cancer.
Diseases Seen in Calcium Deficiency
Diseases seen in calcium deficiency; conditions such as osteoporosis, hair loss, psoriasis, rickets, osteoporosis. The medical name for calcium deficiency is hypocalcemia.Hypocalcemia It is a disease that occurs when calcium levels in the blood are low.
There may not be clear symptoms in the early stage of low calcium. Symptoms are usually mild. However, if it is not treated and calcium deficiency continues for a long time, it starts to become life-threatening.
Long-term calcium deficiency can lead to changes in teeth, cataracts, brain problems and osteoporosis. The following diseases can be seen in calcium deficiency;
Who is at risk for diseases seen in calcium deficiency?
The groups at high risk of experiencing calcium deficiency are as follows;
Women during and after menopause
Those who have amenorrhea, that is, those who have problems with menstruation
Those with lactose intolerance
Vegetarian or vegan diets
Those with chronic disease
adolescent girls
men over 51 years old
How Is Calcium Deficiency Treated?
The healthiest way to treat or prevent deficiency is to eat foods containing calcium. Another way to treat calcium deficiency is to take calcium supplements. I recommend that you do not use calcium supplements without consulting a doctor. Because excessive doses of calcium cause hypercalcemia, known as high calcium.
High calcium is as dangerous as low calcium. Getting too much calcium increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney stones and other serious health problems.
Calcium Supplement
Healthy people can get the amount they need by eating calcium-rich foods. But some people don't get enough calcium. These people may need to take calcium supplements with the advice of a doctor. People who may need to use calcium supplements include:
Vegan dieters
Those with lactose intolerance
Those with weak bones (osteoporosis)
Those on long-term corticosteroid therapy
Those with intestinal or digestive diseases unable to absorb calcium
Harms of Calcium
Getting the right amount of any mineral or nutrient is very important. Too much calcium can have negative side effects.
Symptoms such as constipation, gas, and bloating can be a sign that you're taking in too much calcium.
Excess calcium, especially through supplementsTaking it increases the risk of kidney stones.
In rare cases, too much calcium can cause a buildup of calcium in the blood. Thishypercalcemia It called.
What are impacted teeth?
When one or more teeth fails to grow in the correct position and is therefore held below the normal gum line, it is called an impaction. This can be complete, such as completely unerrupted (buried) third molars (wisdom teeth) or partial when just part of the tooth is visible in the mouth.
Why are impactions important?
For best function and appearance the teeth should grow in a healthy alignment. When one or more teeth is impacted, this can affect the function of that tooth but also the function and appearance of other teeth.
Whether all impactions should be treated is still controversial and your dentist and oral and maxillofacial team can explain the advantages and disadvantages or treatment for you, which is usually surgical.
High doses of calcium can prevent the body from absorbing minerals such as iron and zinc.
