Calcium is essential to maintaining total body health. Your body needs it every day not just to keep your bones and teeth strong over your lifetime, but to ensure proper functioning of muscles and nerves. It even helps your blood clot.

Most Americans think they are getting enough calcium everyday, but, the fact is, they are not - they're calcium deficient. Calcium deficiency is usually due to an inadequate intake of calcium. When blood calcium levels drop too low, the vital mineral is "borrowed' from the bones. It is returned to the bones from calcium supplied through the diet. The average person loses 400 to 500mg of calcium per day. If an individual's diet is low in calcium, there may not be sufficient amounts of calcium available in the blood to be returned to the bones to maintain strong bones and total body health.

Taking calcium regularly everyday is key to preventing and treating calcium deficiency. So how much daily calcium do you need? How much do you get? This website is a great resource to help you learn more about calcium, its importance to your health and how your needs change during different life stages.

What Calcium Affects:

• Calcium is responsible for construction, formation and maintenance of bone and teeth. This function helps reduce the occurrence of osteoporosis.
• Calcium is a vital component in blood clotting systems and also helps in wound healing.
• Calcium helps to control blood pressure, nerve transmission, and release of neurotransmitters.
• Calcium is an essential component in the production of enzymes and hormones that regulate digestion, energy, and fat metabolism.
• Calcium helps to transport ions (electrically charged particles) across the membrane.
• Calcium is essential for muscle contraction.
• Calcium assists in maintaining all cells and connective tissues in the body.
• Calcium may be helpful to reduce the incidence of premature heart disease, especially if adequate intakes of magnesium are also maintained.
• Calcium may help to prevent periodontal disease (gum disease).
  

A constant supply of calcium is necessary throughout our lifetime, but is especially important during phases of growth, pregnancy, and lactation (breast feeding). About 10-40% of dietary calcium is absorbed in the small intestine with the help of vitamin D. The level of calcium absorption from dietary sources drops to 7 in post-menopausal women. The body will absorb more calcium if there is a deficiency. Factors that improve calcium absorption include adequate amounts of protein, magnesium, phosphorous, and vitamin D. Conditions that reduce calcium absorption include high or excessive intakes of oxalates and phytates, found in foods such as spinach and unleavened whole wheat products. Consumption of alcohol, coffee, sugar, or medications such as diuretics, tetracycline, aluminum containing antacids, or stress can reduce absorption of calcium. Lack of exercise can reduce calcium absorption as well as cause an increase in calcium losses. These life habits can immobility lead to calcium deficiency. Calcium deficiency can increase risk of bone disorders such as osteoporosis.

The calcium citrate has been documented to be well absorbed and utilized by the body. Calcium is important in preventing a number of diseases in addition to osteoporosis. It blocks the absorption into the bloodstream of free radical generating iron. Since many people have too much iron in their bodies, it makes sense to take calcium with those meals that contain high iron levels.

Without optimum levels of calcium, the human body may become prone to structural problems that can stem from long-term deficiency. Known for its influential role in both development and sound bone function, calcium citrate works to ensure that our structural foundation remains strong and healthy.

Reducing iron levels is especially important for hepatitis C patients who suffer liver cell damage when the hepatitis virus interacts with iron. Be careful not to take calcium with food containing fiber, because fiber significantly interferes with mineral absorption. It is best to take calcium supplements at night on an empty stomach. Also, since calcium will block iron absorption, avoid taking calcium with meals if you are iron deficient.

LifeSource’s Calcium Citrate is a highly bioavailable form of this crucial mineral, and fortified with a perfectly balanced blend of zinc and magnesium to increase its overall effectiveness.

Calcium Deficiency

Calcium deficiency is usually due to an inadequate supply or a failure in metabolism of calcium. Calcium, the main structural element of bones and teeth, is one of the most important minerals that helps in the growth and maintenance and reproduction of the human body. In addition to helping to maintain bone and dental health, calcium is also involved in a wide variety of other functions, including blood coagulation, the transmission of nerve impulses, muscle contraction and relaxation, normal heartbeat, stimulation of hormone secretion and the activation of enzyme reactions.

When blood calcium levels drop too low, the vital mineral is “borrowed” from the bones. It is returned to the bones from calcium supplied through the diet. If an individual’s diet is low in calcium, there may not be sufficient amounts of the element available in the blood to be returned to the bones … leading to a net loss in bone mass, a condition called Osteopenia. Osteopenia can lead to osteoporosis, or porous bone. Osteoporosis is responsible for 1.5 million bone fractures in the U.S. every year.

Many people find it difficult to consume sufficient dietary calcium to ensure good bone health. LifeSource’s Calcium Citrate is a good addition to the diet and can help prevent Osteopenia (less than normal bone mass) and osteoporosis (low bone mass).