Calcium, the unhealthy natural remedy?
Calcium has long been known to be one of the essential nutritional building blocks of our body. So why is it that Americans are consuming more calcium than ever and still have a rate of osteoporosis that is going up and not down? The number of hip fractures are increasing and cardiac arrest is the number one killer in America.
Our source of calcium supplements is either laboratory made or inorganic. The majority of this mineral is made from “organic” rocks and is very difficult to assimilate by the body. Therefore, this extra calcium accumulates in your muscles, your joints, your kidneys, and even in your arteries. This form of calcium is unnatural and harmful to your body.
Calcium is essential for numerous body functions beyond bone mineralization. The functioning of many enzymes, blood coagulation, nerve conduction, muscle contraction, the permeability of membranes, and the maintenance and function of cell membranes are all accomplished with the proper amount of calcium intake.
The key is that calcium must be taken in conjunction with the proper amount of magnesium, which is five parts calcium to one part magnesium (5:1 ratio). Most supplements on the market are sold with the absence of the proper amount of magnesium. The second key to correct calcium assimilation is the origin of the calcium supply. The body is designed to assimilate nutrients and minerals that are found in living tissue, such as plants. The best source of calcium is from plant sources. If you are going to buy supplements, you should look for “calcium made from plants”. If it is not specified as derived from plants, don’t buy it. If the proper ratio of magnesium is not included, don’t buy it.
The government has promoted a recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals, but has failed to mention that this recommended daily allowance is for a person that is completely healthy, weighs about 140 pounds and has no stress in their life. If this physical description does not fit you and your body, you will need to adjust your recommended daily allowance for all nutrients. The RDA of calcium is 1000 mg a day.
We have been told to drink our milk. There is more calcium in three quarters of a cup collard greens or 4 ounces of tofu or than there is in a cup of milk.
Foods rich in calcium:
Almonds 1/4 cup 89 mg
Blackstrap molasses 2 Tbsp 400 mg
Bok choy, cooked 1 cup 158 mg
Broccoli, cooked 1 cup 94 mg
Collard greens, cooked 1 cup 357 mg
Kale, cooked 1 cup 179 mg
Mustard greens, cooked 1 cup 152 mg
Okra, cooked 1 cup 172 mg
Soy milk, commercial, plain 8 ounces 80 mg
soy yogurt, plain 6 ounces 80-250 mg
Turnip greens, cooked 1 cup 249 mg
Tofu, processed with nigari 4 ounces 80-230 mg
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Soybeans and soynuts, okra, collards, Chinese cabbage, mustard greens, some grains and beans also supply calcium from the desired plant source.
calcium,natural remedy
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