Why You Need Calcium

Why do you need calcium?  Calcium is known for strengthening bones and teeth.  99% of calcium in the human body is in our bones and teeth.  The remaining 1% of calcium in the body performs other vital functions most of us don’t know about.

1.  Calcium Raises Your Metabolism

Studies show that having more calcium increases your metabolism and less lowers it.  I couldn’t exactly figure out how or why, but in many studies it appears that calcium helps the body burn fat.  It also maintains lean muscle mass while dieting (2).

3.  Calcium Protects Your Heart

Calcium helps all the muscles in your body, including your heart, to contract and relax properly.

4.  Calcium Regulates Blood Pressure/Hypertension

Calcium maintains the pressure in your arteries.  Along with helping your heart contract properly, these are 2 necessary functions to keep your blood flowing.

So, calcium helps keep you alive.  Big benefit! (5)

One medication available for people with high blood pressure is a “calcium channel blocker.” It blocks calcium from entering your cells to keep blood vessels from constricting.  This may help the high blood pressure, but can cause unwanted side effects.

With a calcium channel blocker medication, like all medications, it helps one symptom, but doesn’t allow your body to do what it’s supposed to do (letting calcium naturally regulate your blood vessels).

Prescription drugs have so many side effects, I wonder if they’re worth it.  Avoid taking them when possible and stay healthy in the first place!

6.  Calcium Prevents Colon Cancer

An American Cancer Society study showed people who took calcium supplements had 30% lower risk of colon cancer than people who didn’t.  Colon cancer is the 2^nd leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.

Foods with calcium, like yogurt, also taste good and are filling. (7)

How Much Calcium You Need

Men and women between 19 and 50 need 1,000 mg of calcium a day.  Men and women between 50 and 70 need 1,200 mg of calcium a day.

While it’s key to meet that requirement every day, if you get over 2,500 mg of calcium every day, you increase your risk of kidney stones.  More of a good thing isn’t better, in this case.

Calcium Supplements

The calcium supplement I take is called Xtra-Cal Advanced.  It has calcium citrate, the most easily absorbed and digested form of calcium (meaning your body will take it in and USE it—a key to supplements!)  It also has vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese and antioxidants, making it a very advanced, healthy form of calcium.

Whether you use food, supplements, or a combination, shoot for your daily 1000 or 1200 mg of calcium!