If your daily meals do not fulfill your need for calcium, it is preferable to look forward towards consuming calcium dietary supplements, as a great source to ensure that you have had adequate amount of calcium. The market is flooded with distinctive kinds of calcium supplements, (like calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate and calcium citrate etc) differing in terms of calcium concentrations and also there might be differences in their absorption. Read further to explore calcium supplement benefits and then decide as to should we take calcium supplements or not?

Calcium intake is of prime importance, owing to the fact that calcium offers multiple health benefits, to say for example; it works towards regulating your heartbeat. It aids in building and maintaining healthy bones. It helps a great deal in stimulating hormone secretions. It is necessary to consume calcium, because the body does not make them by its own. It is vital to consume calcium everyday, because each day, the body keeps losing calcium, thus, there arises a need to have a regular calcium intake, so as to make up for the loss.

In the absence of adequate calcium in the body, the body utilizes the available calcium, to carry out other bodily functions, thus making the bones weak. When food is not able to suffice the purpose, it is then that calcium supplement comes to play a major role in filling the gap. Always look out for a branded calcium supplement and check for its purity. Gather complete knowledge about the side effects of calcium supplement, if any and then take a conscious decision. So, don't just completely rely on calcium dietary supplements, but there is no harm in letting them complement food, so that you can have your complete daily recommended calcium intake.

Recommended Calcium Intake

 Calcium is a vital nutrient required by the body for strengthening bones. After a certain age, loss of bones starts taking place and it is here where the consumption of calcium becomes all the more important. Also the intake of calcium is of prime importance for the growing child. Guidelines have been laid in the past regarding the total calcium intake per person per day, but amendments have been made and new guidelines have been set. Read further to explore information about the daily calcium intake…

The recommended calcium intake for men and women in the age group of 19-50 is 1,000 mg per day. While, for people in the age group of 50-70, the recommended daily calcium intake is 1,200 mg a day. If the intake of calcium is lower than the recommended amounts, it can become a serious cause of concern, leading to thinning of bones and thus, paving way for osteoporosis to occur.

Well, as it is said, excess of anything is bad, then be it on a lower side or a higher side. If calcium is consumed in higher doses, it can pose hurdles for the absorption of zinc, iron and magnesium. If calcium intake is as high as 2500 mg per day, then the risk of your developing kidney stone increases.

When calcium is consumed, it leads to loss of fluids in the body, thus causing dehydration. Thus, it is advisable to have plenty of fluids, while consuming calcium in any amount. Consumption of calcium carbonate can lead to gas and constipation problem and if such a thing happens, it is preferable to look forward towards consuming calcium citrate as a good alternative. So, make sure that your calcium intake is in parity with the set guidelines.

Best Sources of Calcium

It is of prime importance to consume calcium rich foods, as regular calcium intake helps to keep away the problem of osteoporosis. Calcium helps in strengthening bones and thus promotes your health fitness. In fact, after the age of 30, calcium should become an integral part of your daily meals, because it helps to prevent bone loss from taking place, thus acting as an anti aging agent. Read further to explore information about the calcium food sources…

It is recommended that people in the age group of 19-50 should consume about 1,000 mg of calcium per day, while the calcium intake for people in 50s should be approximately about 1200 mg per day. As far as the best sources of calcium are concerned, most people rely upon milk and other dairy products for their calcium intake. But, there are also innumerable types of non-dairy sources of calcium that you can opt for, so as to ensure your daily calcium intake.

Here is presented a chart indicating good sources of calcium: