Health Benefits of a High Calcium Diet


We all know that calcium is important for bone health, but did you know it can also help prevent cancer and obesity? Calcium is of paramount importance to your overall health as it can protect cardiac muscles, prevents kidney stones, control blood pressure, and aid in the transportation of nutrients through the body.

99% of the calcium in your body resides in your bones and teeth, but it does a lot more than keep your bones strong and healthy. Studies have shown that calcium plays a big role in how fat is burned and stored. The more calcium in a given fat cell, the more fat it can burn, meaning that calcium can help you lose weight!

Calcium, in conjunction with vitamin D, can also help combat colon cancer by preventing the recurrence of polyps that can turn cancerous. It can also lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. Calcium can be extremely beneficial to women; in addition to helping combat the grueling symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, it can help sufferers of polycystic ovarian syndrome get back on a normal cycle. Women aren’t the only ones who should be reaching for the milk! Calcium levels increase in sperm just before fertilization, which gives the sperm the energy it needs to penetrate the egg.

Any calcium lost throughout the day (via your hair, skin, sweat, etc.) needs to be replaced, and if you are not supplying enough replacement calcium with your diet, your body will resort to finding alternate sources. What does this mean? Since your bones are loaded with the mineral, your body will pull it straight from your bones in order to perform other tasks. This is why those with calcium deficiencies often have weaker bones. Other signs of calcium deficiency include muscle aches, sudden cramps, and gum disease.

What foods should you be eating to ensure proper calcium intake? While dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese are certainly go-to’s, you can also get calcium by eating salmon, spinach, and tofu, or by drinking orange juice. Calcium supplements are also available in both chewable tablets and pill forms.

There are many important vitamins and minerals that you should be incorporating into your everyday life. Be sure to make calcium one of them!

 

Helpful Links

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional/

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/calcium-supplements/art-20047097

www.cancer.gov

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

We feel like we have the best physical therapists around. Did you know you don’t need a referral to get help from a Physical Therapist? Direct access is available for you, please call us and set up an evaluation so we can help get you back on your feet. In Orange County we offer Physical Therapy in Chester, Goshen, Monroe, Port Jervis, and Montgomery. Westchester County has Physical Therapy in Armonk, Bedford, and Hawthorne. In Ulster County we offer Physical Therapy in Wallkill, while in Sullivan County you can get Physical Therapy in Liberty. To round out our 12 locations in New York, those living in Rockland County can go to Physical Therapy in New City as well as Pomona. If you happen to live in PA, we also have Physical Therapy in Milford and Dingmans Ferry of Pike County. Give us a call today!

Reach Out for Expert Physical Therapy and Get Back to Your Active Lifestyle!