Calcium is a healthy nutrient to protect bone health. Some of its properties also aid in the prevention of colon cancer, preventing premenstrual blues, prevents kidney stones, helps control blood pressure and is beneficial to teeth and gum health. When a person has a deficiency in calcium it can also lead to muscle spasms, joint pain, bone loss, a disruption in the body’s hormones, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and abnormal blood clotting.
This mineral is abundant in the body and is naturally found in many foods as well as available in some medications as well as dietary supplements. The majority of calcium in the body is found within the bones, tissues and teeth, which in total equals ninety-nine percent of the calcium in the body. Calcium also makes up for two percent of your body weight.
Fruits that contain calcium naturally:
- Apricots
- Avocado
- Blackberries
- Dates
- Dried apricots
- Figs
- Gooseberries
- Kiwi
- Kumquats
- Oranges
- Prickly pear
- Prunes
It a person’s diet doesn’t absorb gluten, is lacking in vitamin D, has a high sugar intake or consumes too many antacid medications and has been introduced to a chronic amount of steroid usage, they will more than likely be diagnosed with a calcium deficiency. There are all sorts of drugs that can be prescribed if any of these symptoms arise, such as; pain medications, bone building drugs, hormone medications, blood pressure medications and blood thinners. Diets that are high in fat, animal proteins can inhibit calcium absorption, cause kidney stones and can make a person, calcium deficient.
Vegetables that contain calcium naturally:
- Artichokes
- Asparagus
- Bok Choy
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Butternut squash
- Cabbage
- Celery
- Collard greens
- Edamame
- Fennel dandelion
- Greens
- Kale
- Kohlrabi
- Leeks
- Okra
- Rhubarb
- Sapote
- Seaweed
- Spinach
- Swiss chard
- Turnip greens
Calcium is also essential for functioning cells, the cardiovascular system, facilitating the absorption of vitamin B, helps regulate muscle contractions, nerve conduction, helps with blood coagulation and plays a role in plasma clotting when one bleeds. The small intestine is the organ that controls the absorption of calcium. Vitamin D and lactose enhances the absorption of calcium and when the body.
When a person doesn’t consume enough calcium the body pulls it from the teeth and bones making them weaker as people age. This nutrient is essential for not only bones and teeth, but the heart, nerves and muscles, to work as well. For optimal metabolism of calcium other nutrients and vitamins are also necessary, such as vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin A, magnesium, manganese, copper, boron, zinc, silicon, phosphorus and strontium.
Miscellaneous foods that contain calcium naturally:
- Almond rice
- Almonds
- Baked beans
- Brazil nuts
- Bread
- Cheese
- Chickpeas
- Cinnamon
- Coconut meat
- Fortified breakfast cereals
- Green beans
- Herring
- Kidney beans
- Milk
- Mulberry
- Olives
- Onions
- Orange juice
- Pumpkin seeds
- Salmon
- Sardines
- Sesame seeds
- Soy milk
- Tofu
- Walnuts
- Watercress
- Yogurt
When foods state they contain calcium it is best to read the labels to ensure you are getting enough. An “excellent source” of calcium contains 200 mg whereas a “good source” of calcium contains between 100 and 190 mg worth of calcium. Other foods may be labeled as “calcium-fortified” or “calcium enriched”, these foods only contain 100 mg or less of the amount of calcium compared to a similar serving of foods that are non-fortified with this nutrient.
Enjoy some of these foods that naturally contain calcium and forego the supplements unless otherwise prescribed by your physician. Keep your bones, tissues, organs and teeth strong and healthy by consuming calcium in your diet on a daily basis.
