Friday, July 25, 2008

THE USE OF CALCIUM - INFORMATION THAT IS GOOD KNOWLEDGE



Toddlers and children up to eight need up to three glasses of milk per day, while older children need significantly more at about 1300 milligrams for their daily requirements.


Calcium is an important nutrient that we need in our bodies. It has a number of important functions. It helps develop strong bones and teeth and is involved in blood clotting and muscle contractions.

Most of the calcium is stored in our body's bones and teeth. When the calcium levels in the body drop below normal, calcium is taken from the bones and teeth resulting in a severe calcium loss. Low calcium leads to bone factures and in many older people osteoporosis or porous bones.

Calcium is one of the most plentiful minerals in the human body. The body needs Vitamin D to absorb calcium properly. Severe calcium loss in children can cause rickets. In adults it can cause muscle spasms, insomnia and irritability.

The use of calcium can reduce high blood pressure, keep your heart regular, prevent gum disease, prevent cancer of the colon and rectum and help blood to clot. Most American do not get enough calcium from foods that they eat. Believe it or not, it's the fifth most abundant element on earth.

Requirements for Children

What are some of the requirements for the use of calcium for children?

-- Toddlers ages one to three require about 500 milligrams or two glasses of milk daily.

-- Children four to eight years old require about 800 milligrams or three glasses of milk daily.

-- Older children from the age of nine up to 18 require more calcium. They should consume about 1300 milligrams of calcium or four glasses of milk daily.

Calcium is lost in cooking so to retain as much calcium as possible, cook foods in minimal amount of water. Another tip is to cook foods with calcium for as short a period of time as possible.

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