Calcium Absorption: Essential to Good Health

Calcium is an important component of teeth, bones, and soft tissues, and is a principal element for the proper growth and function of the human body. Sufficient amounts of the mineral are essential to preventing a number of diseases, and impaired calcium absorption can result in calcium deficiency and poor health.

Calcium is necessary for a variety of important biological functions, including muscle control, nerve health, blood vessel contraction, blood clotting, and glandular secretion. Calcium levels in the body are controlled by a complex interaction of vitamins and hormones. The three most important regulators of calcium metabolism are vitamin D, calcitonin, and parathyroid hormone. Any factors or health conditions that alter the levels of these three regulators will negatively affect calcium absorption and health.

Factors that Impair Calcium Absorption

Calcium absorption is affected by several factors, including age, diet, insufficient physical activity, and existing health conditions. To maintain overall health and prevent the loss of bone mass, it is important to eat a diet rich in calcium. Although calcium is abundant in a variety of foods, much of the calcium we consume is not adequately absorbed. Dietary requirements increase as we age, and also rise during periods of rapid growth and pregnancy. Studies have shown that many people, especially post-menopausal women, do not get enough calcium through diet alone.

Eating a diet high in whole grains containing phytic acid can result in poor calcium absorption, as this acid binds to the mineral to form phytates, which are excreted from the body. A diet high in sodium can also interfere with the proper absorption of calcium. Although short-term dietary deficiency does not typically result in low blood calcium levels, long-term deficiency depletes the stores of calcium in the bones and leads to a number of health complications.

Calcium deficiency has been linked to many serious health conditions, including osteoporosis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, obesity, premenstrual syndrome, preeclampsia, and stroke. Because of this, it is vital to ensure your daily calcium requirements are met. Reducing sodium intake, increasing physical activity, and taking supplements that include calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D will help prevent calcium deficiency when dietary sources are inadequate or calcium absorption is impaired.