Calcium is Crucial
Got Milk?
Many people underestimate the importance of calcium in their diet. On average, people over the age of 11 get only half the calcium they need.
Calcium is known to be a key factor is maintaining healthy bones and preventing osteoporosis. However, what is not well-known is that calcium is also responsible for everyday vital functions.
Calcium is needed for brain function, for proper nerve and muscle activity, and practically every activity in the body. If you do not maintain calcium levels in your body, you will die.
The US is currently facing a conundrum regarding increased obesity. Being obese is not only hard on your heart and other organs; it’s also a strain to your skeletal system. In short, our bones were not designed to carry around so much weight.
Bone fractures are tripling amongst children. Several factors in this are that children are drinking less milk and more sodas and other calcium depraved beverages. Also, children are not getting enough exercise and are becoming obese. Their higher weights cause a higher force of impact for any falls the child takes. This higher force of impact coupled with weak bones is causing more bone fractures amongst children. Knowing this, it is even more important for us to know whether or not we are getting enough calcium.
Below is a list of the different age groups and their recommended daily calcium intake:
Male & Female 4-8 years, 800 Calcium (mg/day)
Male & Female 9-18 years, 1,300 Calcium (mg/day)
Male & Female 19-50 years, 1,000 Calcium (mg/day)
Male & Female 51+ years, 1,200 Calcium (mg/day)
Although it is true that about 60 percent of bone strength is determined by genetics, 40 percent is influenced through diet and exercise. You might not see immediate consequences from calcium deficiency, but you will see it in later years with weaker bones causing easy fractures that in some cases limit mobility or even death. So, make sure you and your family gets their calcium.
Did you know: Although calcium is well-absorbed from vegetables like bok choy, broccoli, kale and so forth, the amount you would need to eat is immense. You would have to eat 2½ - 5 times more high-calcium vegetables to receive the same amount of calcium found in one cup of milk.
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