Calcium & Weight

Do you know that calcium and weight are inversely related? Well, yes! Research has proved that intake of calcium plays an important role in weight loss. We all are aware of the fact that calcium is very important in maintaining the health of your bone but I am sure that this is a new concept for you that calcium helps you maintain a standard weight.
Read on to know:

• How calcium controls weight gain or loss.
• How can you increase calcium intake in your diet and get higher quality calcium.
• The best supplements of calcium
• How to ensure that the calcium you are taking in is absorbed by your body.

Calcium - No more just for Density of Bone

Calcium can alter the fat cells’ metabolism causing release of more fat and storing of less fat. This fact has been proved by studies done on mice and rats for the last ten years and hence conclusion was derived that intake of calcium relates to weight of body.

Calcium intake is inversely related to the metabolism of our body. When we take in less calcium, our body slows down the metabolism and as a result less fat is burned whereas on the other hand, abundant calcium indicates to the body that it is well nourished and there is no need to storage of fat and hence burns it.

Another important factor of calcium is that it reduces cravings. It has been proved that a combination of magnesium, high calcium, vitamin C and potassium helps to quickly reduce cravings.

Some more reasons to increase calcium intake:

• It reduces rate of formation of kidney stones.
• It plays an important role to increase high-density lipoprotein or HDL in blood
• It helps in reducing threat of colorectal cancer.
• It helps to reduce fracture risk.
• It helps in resisting blood pressure problems.
• It helps to reduce the age related bone loss.

Is there sufficient intake of calcium in your diet?

The average daily consumption of calcium an average American is 600-700 milligrams but many people are there who are below this level. Hence, to increase your calcium intake you can have aged raw cheese, butter and yogurt. Canned fish varieties such as salmon and sardines are another convenient source of calcium.

Calcium Supplements

Calcium citrate is the best absorbed form of calcium. Calcium phosphate, calcium gluconate, calcium carbonate etc are some of the other supplements. You should avoid the intake of oyster shell calcium as it may ne contaminated with some heavy metals.

Nutrients helping in absorption of calcium

Only intake of calcium is generally not advised. It should always be balanced by intake of other nutrients which helps in absorption of calcium. Say for example: vitamin A and D, magnesium, manganese, boron, potassium etc. Supplements of magnesium are advisable instead of just magnesium. For vitamin A and D, cod liver oil is a good source.

Manganese and boron are also important and they can be taken in form of supplement and are even available in some food. Apples, almonds, pears, legumes, green vegetables contain boron and buckwheat, ginger, oats contain manganese.