ABBOTT LIFEPLUS :: HIGHLIGHTS & FEATURES       .: Calcium Cornered :.   Roshini Anthony points out the importance of getting enough calcium in your diet. The thing about osteoporosis is that it has a nasty habit of landing on your doorstep without calling first. When it does arrive, there is no one to kick but yourself, as adequate consumption of calcium throughout the years may have helped you keep it at bay. Calcium is the most abundant mineral found in the human body. More than 99% of calcium is stored in the bones and teeth, and its main purpose is to function as a building block. Although it is most commonly known for maintaining healthy bones, the other 1% is found in blood, muscles, nerves and interstitial fluid, or the fluid between cells. One cannot stress too much the importance of this mineral. It is vital for maintaining health and wellbeing. Even the 1%, small as it may seem, is extremely significant because without it, your nerves will not be able to carry messages, not to mention that your muscles will not contract nor that your blood clot when you have an injury.   There are only two ways your body can get its daily requirement of calcium – from your diet or from your bones. When the amount of calcium in your diet is insufficient for your body to function, it acquires it from your bones. Over a long period, your bones become so depleted of calcium that they become brittle and break very easily. This is how osteoporosis occurs. You see now how important it is to consume enough calcium?   Dairy products are probably the most well-known source of calcium, with milk, cheese, buttermilk and yoghurt ranking high on the list. However, do not let lactose intolerance prevent you from getting your recommended dietary intake. Other calcium sources are soya milk, tofu and green leafy vegetables, including broccoli, Chinese cabbage and bak choy, just to name a few. Certain types of fish, like salmon and sardines, also contain lots of calcium, as do shellfish and almonds.   There are a number of commercially available foods that are now enriched with calcium. For instance, bread and certain cereals will also help increase your calcium intake as they are calcium-fortified. Together with your consumption of calcium-rich foods, it is also important to increase your intake of vitamin D as it promotes calcium absorption. There you have it. Despite osteoporosis being a major reason for you to increase your calcium intake, it is not the only concern you should have. Incorporating more calcium-rich foods into your diet can help avert a variety of other problems. And the earlier you start the better, because as you age, bone breakdown begins to outstrip bone formation. Don’t let tripping over your cat and breaking your hip bone be your first warning sign!       References 1) Office of Dietary Supplements. Available at http://ods.od.nih.gov. 2) Calcium Info. Available at www.calciuminfo.com. 3) Medline Plus. Available at www.nlm.nih.gov. 4) Health Castle. Available at www.healthcastle.com.

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