The body’s need for calcium
The body needs a large amount of calcium, especially children. It is a very important substance for the body, bones and teeth. The body stores ninety-nine percent of calcium in bones and teeth. Calcium also exists in the muscles and blood. The lack of calcium causes tooth decay, osteoporosis, heart disease, The body’s needs for calcium vary according to age and sex. Here is a table showing the need for different stages:
| Age group | The need for calcium |
|---|---|
| Neonatal children up to the age of six months | Daily 200 mg. |
| Children in the seventh month to the year | 260 mg daily. |
| After the age of the year until the child reaches the third year | 700 mg daily. |
| From three to eight years | 1000 mg daily. |
| From the age of eight to adolescence | 1300 mg daily. |
| After reaching the age of 19 to 50 | 1000 mg daily |
| After age 50 to age 70 | 1000 mg for men, and 1200 mg for women per day |
How to Get Calcium
Calcium is obtained either from food or food supplements, such as dairy products, milk, cheese, and leafy vegetables. Calcium is also found in vegetables such as Chinese cabbage, broccoli, and turnips, which are important sources of calcium.
It is also available in fish with soft bones such as sardines, canned salmon, bread and pastas contain little calcium, and calcium-rich fruit juices.
If a test is performed and a lack of calcium is detected in the body, dietary supplements are taken in the form of capsules or pills sold in the pharmacy.
Some of the problems that may affect some people that despite the intake of all medicines containing calcium, not exceeding the quantity in the body, it indicates that the body does not absorb the amount of calcium because of vitamin D deficiency, it helps the body to absorb calcium and the main source of vitamin D is the sun Therefore, exposure to the sun for ten minutes a day to take enough vitamin D.
You should always check your doctor and make periodic checks to take the appropriate amounts of essential minerals and body vitamins needed by the body is not permissible to increase the intake of calcium supplements increase the damage to the body greatly and cause constipation and kidney stones and other health problems; so check the doctor is very important and adhere to the instructions set by the doctor .