A Guide to Liquid Calcium: Benefits, Absorption, and Risks
1st Nov 2024
It is well known that Calcium is an essential mineral for the body, both for sedentary people and high-level athletes, and even more so for children. While a daily intake of Calcium is essential to maintain good health, an overdose should also be avoided, as it is dangerous for the body.
Liquid calcium offers a practical solution for those who struggle with swallowing pills, and they're often packed with additional nutrients like vitamin D and magnesium. But what makes them stand out from traditional supplements? And are they truly more effective in supporting your bone health and nerve function? Before you decide to switch, you should consider a few key things. What are these factors, and how do they influence your choice? There's much more to explore on this topic.
What is Calcium, and Why is it Important for the Human Body?
Calcium (Ca) is the most abundant mineral in the human body. It makes up 1 to 2% of an adult's body weight. Every bone, heart, and brain cell requires sufficient amounts of this mineral to function properly.
Calcium also plays an important role in various metabolic and biochemical processes in the body. Only 1% of all Calcium is found in the blood; the rest is stored in the bones and teeth. It occurs in two forms: ionized and non-ionized.
Calcium deficiency can cause numerous pathologies, and given that the body cannot synthesize it on its own, it is important to obtain this mineral from food.
Although Calcium is found in many foods, diet alone is not always enough to prevent deficiency.
What Are The Benefits Of Calcium?
Calcium is an essential supplement for the human body, and this mineral offers various health benefits, including:
- Calcium strengthens bones and teeth: It is essential for maintaining bone and dental health and reducing the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures.
- Heart rhythm regulation: Calcium plays an important role in the contraction and relaxation of muscles, including the heart muscle. It is important for maintaining a regular and healthy heart rhythm.
- Nerve transmission: It is necessary to transmit nerve signals throughout the body, helping nerve cells communicate.
- Blood coagulation: It plays a very important role in blood clotting, helping platelets to stick together and form clots.
- Blood pressure control: Reduces blood pressure in people with hypertension.
- Preventing chronic diseases: Several studies have shown that adequate calcium intake can help prevent diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.
Recommended Dietary Intake Of Calcium
Recommended nutritional intakes vary according to age. Needs are increased in adolescents, pregnant women, and the elderly.
- Babies 0 to 6 months200 mg
- Babies 7 to 12 months 260 mg
- Babies 1 to 3 years 700 mg
- Children 4 to 8 years 1000 mg
- Children 9 to 13 years 1300 mg
- Children and adolescents aged 14 to 19 years 1300 mg
- Men and women aged 19 to 60 1000mg
- Men and women aged 60 and over 1000mg: 1200 mg
Sources Of Calcium
There are many dietary sources of Calcium. A balanced diet is important for getting enough Calcium. Organic foods are naturally richer in nutrients (vitamin C, magnesium, silica, manganese, copper, selenium, etc.) essential for bone health.
Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, dairy products are not the only sources of Calcium.
Here are the sources of Calcium in food:
- Fresh and dried fruits: dried apricots, oranges, figs, plums
- Vegetables: broccoli, onion, spinach, seaweed, kale, Chinese cabbage, arugula, lamb's lettuce, seaweed, watercress
- Beans: white and red beans, lentils, chickpeas and soybeans
- Oilseeds: almonds, walnuts and pistachios, sesame, chia
- Aromaticherbs: parsley, dill, basil, oregano, mint, thyme, sage
- Seaweed: wakame, kombu, fisherman's salad
- Fish: sardines with bones, herring, anchovies, hake
It is recommended to choose at least two sources per day from this list to get your calcium dose.
Why Take Liquid Calcium Supplement?
Calcium supplementation is often an alternative to food intolerances such as dairy products. We usually see comparisons, such as getting all the Calcium in a glass of milk (300 mg), eating a large broccoli, a kilo of oranges, or 180 ml of un-blanched almonds. It is obvious that milk is an excellent source of Calcium, but is it necessary to get all our Calcium from a single food?
If you have a varied diet and, for example, include foods rich in Calcium such as whole sesame seeds, legumes, and vegetables from the cabbage family (kale, broccoli, Chinese cabbage), it is not necessary to drink three large glasses of milk, per day.
Taking a liquid calcium supplement can improve calcium absorption and support bone health, muscle function, and heart rhythm. It is also easier to swallow and allows for more precise dosing, especially for those with dietary restrictions or medical conditions.
Factors promoting calcium absorption
- Magnesium
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin C
- Stomach acidity
- Estrogens (female hormones)
- Physical activity
Factors that impair calcium absorption
- Caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate, cola)
- Excess phosphorus
- Excess protein
- Excess fat
- Excess salt
- Excess refined sugar
- Oxalic acid
- Stress
- Some medications
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Alcohol
Risks Of Calcium Deficiency
If the body does not receive enough Calcium, it risks serious health problems. For example, bone formation is disrupted in children, and rickets develop. In adults, bone mass may decrease, which is a risk factor for osteoporosis—a very common disease that leads to bone fractures and postural disorders in older women and men.
Conclusion
You might already have known about liquid calcium supplements, which are easy to swallow and thus supplement your bone health and nerve functions. You may enjoy taking your daily nutrients since flowers like blueberry and citrus make them fun. You also ensure rapid absorption, ensuring you gain the most out of your supplement. Remember other nutrients such as vitamin D and magnesium. Liquid Calcium thus makes improving your wellness journey easily convenient.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Side Effects of Liquid Calcium?
The intake may lead to stomach upset and may tend to cause constipation. Kidney stones caused by overdose must be avoided and observed. Rare cases of allergic reactions may occur. Adverse drug interactions must be watched closely, and in cases of some side effects arising, an expert doctor should be consulted.
Is Liquid Calcium Effective?
You may even ask if it works. Liquid Calcium has excellent absorption rates and bioavailability compared to pills. Its dosing efficacy gives it a consistent long-term effectiveness. Plus, you can fit it into various diets, and it often has a taste advantage over solid pills.