High Calcium Foods

Only about twenty to thirty percent of calcium is absorbed by the body in an average diet. Calcium is needed in great amounts by the body for muscle contraction, blood clotting, oocyte activation, regulating heartbeat, teeth and bones building, transmission of nerve impulse, and balance of fluid within cells. Its absorption may be reduced due to calcium binding with phytate, oxalate, or fibre inside the intestine. A diet that lacks calcium is one of the countless factors linked to the added risk of osteoporosis, which is a disease that assists in speeding up the course of natural calcium loss in bones.

It is imperative that people take in calcium the natural way, particularly through high calcium foods. High calcium foods such as dairy products are one of the most widespread calcium sources for people in a lot of industrialized countries. However, dairy products commonly taken are also very high in cholesterol, saturated fat, and calories. This trade-off is not good; increasing the danger for weight gain and heart disease through dairy product intake that are high in cholesterol, calories, and saturated fat to decrease the risk of osteoporosis through the calcium they contain, is actually not an option.

Fortunately, low-fat dairy food are just as high calcium foods as those in high fat dairy food. Dairy high calcium foods includes one cup milk, pudding, yogurt, or one and a half ounce of cheese; buttermilk or low-fat/non-fat milk; chocolate milk -low fat; low-fat/non-fat yogurt; cheese - low fat; hot chocolate; whole milk; milkshake; skim milk pudding; custard/flan; sardines with bones; and regular cheese.

One can carry on getting good sources of calcium in low fat diets through choosing low fat dairy products. There are also a lot of other high calcium foods that can be included in the diet aside from dairy products. Foods with calcium such as vegetables, nuts, and seeds are good sources of calcium. Although they are not as high as dairy products, combination of these foods will result to adequate amounts of calcium for the body.

The importance of high calcium foods in the body's daily normal function should not be taken lightly as this can help keep one away from future health problems. Keeping healthy bones and teeth, as well as the overall wellness of the body, all depends on the proper food that we eat, combined with exercise and a healthy lifestyle, it becomes a great big step for healthiness.