The human body needs numerous minerals and trace elements to live. Since it cannot form most of the active substances essential for it itself, they must be supplied to the body with the diet. This includes calcium (calcium).
Mode of action of calcium (calcium).
A blood test of calcium levels is used by doctors to further diagnose various diseases.
Minerals, vitamins and trace elements influence each other. Therefore, the proper interaction of all these agents is necessary so that they are optimally available to the body.
Calcium is a mineral that occurs frequently in nature and is found in numerous foods. It is indispensable for humans, but also for plants and animals. Calcium is absorbed through the intestines and incorporated into the body by vitamin D, among other things.
The body’s own hormones help in this process. The daily calcium requirement of an adult is about 800 milligrams. There is an increased need during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Importance
Calcium is indispensable for building bones and teeth. Even in infants and young children, care is generally taken to ensure that the diet contains sufficient calcium and that children get enough outdoor exercise.
The mineral should be available to the body throughout life. Likewise, physical activity in the fresh air is important throughout life. A high calcium intake alone is not enough. Moderate exercise adapted to the respective age is therefore essential.
For the mineral to be optimally incorporated into the body, it needs vitamin D, among other things. This vitamin, which belongs to the group of fat-soluble vitamins, can be produced by the body itself. Under the influence of physical exercise in the sunshine, vitamin D is produced in the human body.
Long-term calcium deficiency threatens osteoporosis in old age. Other diseases are also caused by the lack of calcium. For example, if the body does not get enough calcium during the growth phase, bone softening and rickets can be other consequences of calcium deficiency. Over-excitability of the nervous system and muscles (tetany) can occur. Dental health also suffers when the body receives too little calcium.
Calcium absorption may be temporarily impaired. Coffee, alcohol and sugary drinks (e.g. cola) prevent the absorption of the mineral for some time. Magnesium also has this function. Often it is sufficient to consume calcium-containing foods at a time interval from those that hinder the absorption of calcium.
Therefore, those who do a lot of sports and therefore additionally consume magnesium should also think about calcium and take both minerals at a time interval from each other. Another counterpart of calcium is potassium. Among other things, it is responsible for water excretion in the body. The more water the body loses, the more calcium is also excreted.
Occurrence in food
Calcium (calcium) is found in many foods. It is found primarily in dairy products. Long-matured cheeses such as Parmesan, Emmental, Gouda medium old or old contain particularly high levels of calcium.
Naturally, it is contained in whole and skimmed milk, as well as in yogurt and quark. People who want to reduce their weight and therefore eat fewer calories are particularly at risk of not getting enough calcium.
But people who suffer from lactose intolerance or an allergy to cow’s milk also have to supply the body with calcium from other sources. For example, through a mineral water containing calcium.
Calcium is contained in small quantities in almost every vegetable and fruit. Vegetables which contain plenty of calcium are kale, broccoli, endive, chard, leek and spinach.
