Calcium Needs
Your Calcium Needs Explained
The calcium needs within your body are bound to be slightly different from anyone else’s, but the general rule of thumb for most healthy adults is to consume approximately 1,000 mg of this valuable nutrient per day. We rarely hit the mark, though calcium is found greatly in most of our favorite foods. Most people stop just over way to the mark, consuming around 600 mg of calcium per day. The presence of too much calcium, when not countered and bound by phosphorus can also cause a great many health risks and illnesses, so it is important that you consult with your physician regarding your own personal calcium needs.
The calcium needs for children are, surprisingly, right around the same amount as for adults. They are growing, and they tend to absorb and utilize calcium much more readily than the average adult over 50. Ah, to be young again! This is assuming, of course, that the child enjoys full and proper kidney function during the growth stages. Children can suffer the effects of too much calcium, though the occurrences are much more rare. Calcium supplements are usually packed into daily vitamin regiments for both kids and for adults, and these usually contain the proper amount of phosphorus needed to reap the full benefits of the calcium.
Your body cannot function without calcium, and therefore phosphorus. Your calcium needs are calculated based on your weight and build and on the functionality of your kidneys. Calcium deposits, both in the soft tissues and in the vital organs, can occur should the kidneys fail to properly utilize the calcium which passes through them. Calcium deposits can build in the blood vessels and arteries, and those who suffer such dealings are more prone to heart attack, stroke, and lung disease. Phosphorus binders are often sent in to aid the calcium along, encouraging it to remain in proper balance with your blood flow.
Calcium serves many invaluable purposes within the body, and should not be taken for granted when planning your daily food regiment. It encourages healthy clotting of the blood, it strengthens and builds bones and teeth, and it helps the nervous system to send signals and reactions through the brain and into the body. Taking your calcium needs seriously at a younger age can save you a great deal of trouble later on. Those who have suffered any forms of sclerosis or who have birthed children have proven to be at a higher risk for calcium deficiency and all of the issues which come along with it. Consult with your physician often, and take his or her recommendation to heart, as the future of your bones and your circulatory health depend on it.