Calcium carbonate is one of the best-selling health supplements in the United States. It's well documented that calcium plays a key role in heart health, bone health, muscle function and a whole host of regulatory functions, from controlling blood pressure and balancing stomach acids to triggering enzyme activity and preventing Osteoporosis. Recent research has focused on calcium's role in balancing high levels of magnesium, phosphorus and potassium in the blood, as well as its link to Cancer prevention and weight loss facilitation.
To get your daily recommended value of calcium, you may want to just take a supplement like TUMS, Rolaids, Calcitrate or Chooz. Food is another excellent source. You'll get 300 out of your daily 1,000 mg from one cup of milk, a carton of yogurt or 200 ml of Calcium fortified soymilk or orange juice. Fortified milk can provide as much as 400 mg in one cup. For another 100 mg, you can eat leafy greens like broccoli, collard, bok choy, Chinese cabbage and spinach.
Note that the calcium absorption works best with dairy products or vitamin D containing substances and you may only be able to absorb 5% from something like spinach, which also contains a high level of oxalate. Other sources include soy, sardines, salmon, fortified breakfast cereals, fortified fruit juices and fortified breads.
If you're concerned about osteoporosis as you age, then be aware that your lifestyle may also dictate how strong or weak your bones are. For instance, a high sodium diet can affect how much nutrients you absorb. Drinking more than six caffeine-containing drinks each day, excessive drinking of alcohol, having a low body weight, taking in high levels of fiber, not exercising enough, staying out of the sunlight and having low vitamin D levels can all affect bone strength.
If you're in the risk group for Osteoporosis, then you may want to try a calcium carbonate supplement like Alka-Mints, Calel-D, Caltrate, Chooz, Rolaids, Titralac or Tums. Generally, calcium and vitamin D go hand-in-hand and promote the absorption of both minerals, so if you can find something that contains both, then you'll be on the right track.
There are certain side effects to calcium carbonate supplements. You may experience an upset stomach, belching, constipation, a dry mouth, frequent urination, a loss of appetite, a metallic taste in your mouth or you may even vomit, although any side effects are generally rare. An excessive intake of calcium products can cause confusion, delirium, stupor and even coma in a rare condition called Hypercalcemia. If you experience any severe symptoms that do not go away, then contact your doctor.
Autor: Mike Selvon
Mike Selvon has some great informative articles. If you enjoyed this article, please visit his website for more on calcium carbonate, and learn more insider tips on the best calcium supplement.
Added: June 7, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
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