Calcium
Calcium is an important component of bone and dental health. It is one of the most abundant minerals in the human body. Most calcium is found in the bones and teeth. A small amount of calcium is found in the muscles and blood. The calcium component is important for the growth and movement of muscles, which is important for the work of the heart muscle and circulatory system, and helps the endocrine to regulate secretions of hormones, and improves the functions of various enzymes. The bones are the main store of calcium; when the proportion of calcium in the food, and the quantity is insufficient, the body consumes the shortage of bone stock, and in the long-term suffers from osteoporosis, women are the most vulnerable to the disease of fragility of the bone due to pregnancy and recurrent births, And loss of calcium during the menstrual cycle.
Calcium Sources
- Milk and dairy products.
- Leafy vegetables such as: cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower.
- Soybean Seeds.
- Herbs and marine algae.
- Nuts such as: walnuts, almonds.
- Natural fruit juices.
- Tahini made from whole sesame seeds.
Basic functions of calcium
- Building bones and teeth.
- Transmission of the neurotransmitters between neurons.
- Work and muscle integrity.
- Calcium helps regulate heartbeat.
- Helps in feeding and building cells.
- Calcium is an important component of blood clotting.
Where is calcium absorbed?
The small intestine works to absorb calcium from food, and there are many factors that affect the absorption of calcium, including: the extent of the body’s need for calcium; in the case of pregnancy increase the proportion of calcium absorption because of the urgent need of the body, and increase the absorption of calcium also in the case of pressure on the work And organ functions, and in the case of a severe shortage of calcium element, and increase the proportion of absorption in the body as much as the amount of food. Calcium absorption depends on the pH of the medium. The higher the acidity, the better the amount of calcium absorbed.
Factors Affecting Calcium Absorption
- Vitamin D: It is a fat-soluble vitamin, an important element affecting the process of calcium absorption. The main source of vitamin D is exposure to sunlight in the morning or before sunset and the most important sources of vitamin D: fish, seagrass, egg yolks, liver . Vitamin D stabilizes calcium on the bones, strengthens bones and teeth and increases its hardness.
- Lactose sugar: Lactose sugar activates the absorption of calcium by increasing the acidity of the intestine. Lactose sugar is not absorbed quickly in the intestine and with time the fermentation process occurs for lactose. The fermentation process increases the proliferation of bacteria that coexist naturally in the intestine. To absorb calcium, lactose is associated with calcium inhibiting deposition, and increases the absorption process. The presence of protein in the food helps to absorb calcium well, and the increase in protein consumption leads to urination in the urine.