Your need for Calcium

Why do you have a need for calcium? There are many fundamental reasons why your body has a need for calcium on a daily basis. These include the fact that it is a mineral that is absolutely essential for maintaining the strength of your bones and your teeth.

If the level of calcium that you need in your blood drops below a certain level, than your body will compensate by drawing from what is already present in your bones.

If this happens and is not replaced by enough new in take, then gradually your bones will be weakened and become brittle. This can ultimately lead to osteoporosis and other skeletal problems. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that particularly effects women and can be a major health hazard in later life. It is a condition where the bones are weakened and therefore vulnerable to breaking easily. It is currently estimated that fifty percent of women in the US are at risk of osteoporosis because they do not get enough Ca, one of the body's most important minerals.

This type of deficiency can also affect the ability of your muscles to work properly as well as your nervous system. It has a negative impact on the health of your heart and the ability of your blood to clot. In order to make sure you're getting enough of what your body requires, you should try to eat foods that are high in calcium. These include broccoli, cheese and of course milk. Non-fat powdered dry milk can be added to many dishes, including soups and casseroles, and is a good way to up your intake. Other foods may be specially enriched, such as cereals and orange juice, so it's worth keeping an eye out for these.