Tag Archives: calcium

Can Calcium Prevent Disease?

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Calcium is essential for the body’s bones. But this mineral has a big role in preventing other health problems, too! Calcium has been associated with lowering blood pressure (and the risk of high blood pressure). Researchers have noted that a vegetarian diet that is high in minerals (including calcium, magnesium, and potassium), high in fiber, and low in fat tends to lead to lower blood pressure levels. Clinical studies have also looked at the effect of an increased calcium intake on blood pressure. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health tested different types of … Continue reading →

Who Is at Risk for Calcium Deficiency?

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Certain types of people may be at higher risk of calcium deficiency than others. They may need extra calcium in their diets (or in supplement form) in order to prevent a deficiency. Postmenopausal women may be at higher risk for calcium deficiency. During menopause, many women experience increased bone loss — most rapidly during the first five years. Why is this? As the body produces less estrogen, the body absorbs less calcium and creates less new bone. Combination hormone therapy (estrogen and progestin) can help prevent osteoporosis and fractures, but comes with a whole bunch of potential side effects. Estrogen … Continue reading →

Bones – They Do A Body Good

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Regular exercise isn’t about building muscle and staying in shape, it’s also about building strong bones. Our skeletal structure, though buried amidst our muscles and soft tissue, is a critical part about living healthy and healthy living. Bone density is increased with regular exercise. Dense bones are good because they help support our overall body frame and structure. As we age, our bone density lessens unless we maintain our exercise and keep our bones strong. The exercises that are designed to do this are called weight bearing. Weight bearing exercises include golf, walking, jogging, dancing, swimming and stair climbing. These … Continue reading →

How to Make Sure You Get Your Daily Calcium

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A survey of Americans in the late 1990s found that many children and adults aren’t getting enough calcium! If you’re looking to get more of this essential mineral in your diet, here are some tips that might help. Try using low fat or fat free milk in place of water in recipes. Substitute milk when making pancakes, mashed potatoes, and hot breakfast cereals. Try making smoothies for breakfast or for a snack. Mix fresh or frozen fruit with low fat or fat free yogurt in a blender. Sprinkle grated cheese onto salads. Sprinkle grated cheese onto soups. Swap one soda … Continue reading →

Why Does My Body Need Calcium?

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Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body — more than 99 percent of all calcium in your body is stored in the bones and teeth. Where is the rest of the calcium? It can be found throughout the body in your blood, muscles, and more. What does calcium do? The number one thing calcium does is support bone and tooth structure. Your bones are constantly breaking down and being rebuilt — the pace at which this happens changes throughout life. During childhood, your body does much more building and much less breaking down. In early and middle adulthood, … Continue reading →

Symptoms of Metabolic Bone Disease in Reptiles

Metabolic bone disease is an unfortunately common disease in reptiles. Though it is most often seen in iguanas, it can arise in any pet reptile. The disease is most often caused by poor care and diet, and can be easily corrected in the early stages. The symptoms of metabolic bone disease can vary depending on the severity of the case and the length of time over which the disease developed. Most of the symptoms are related to bone and muscle effects, as calcium is key for bone formation and muscle function. You may see a reptile with metabolic bone disease … Continue reading →

Metabolic Bone Disease in Reptiles

Metabolic bone disease is a common but preventable disease seen in pet reptiles. There is no one cause for this disease — the primary problem is a disruption of calcium metabolism that leads to many related problems. Most often, metabolic bone disease is caused by poor diet and care. Iguanas are very susceptible to metabolic bone disease thanks to their specific light, diet, and environmental needs, but the disease can appear in any reptile. Without getting too technical, metabolic bone disease results from an improper ratio of calcium to phosphorus in the body. In a normal, healthy reptile, the ratio … Continue reading →

Pack Lunch, Eat Great, Still Lose Weight

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So many of us depend upon fast food these days and the simple fact of the matter is that it is killing us physically (morbid obesity) and financially (get rich and lose weight). With as much time as it takes us to drive through and for less than it costs to buy enough gas to sit at the drive through, we can prepare healthy, satisfying meals at home that transport well to any work site and will be guaranteed to get us through the day. Here are a few ideas to consider: 1. Skip the lunch meat. Go with real … Continue reading →

Foods That Are Good For Your Teeth

The food you eat helps build a strong, healthy body — that includes your teeth! Adding a few simple things to your diet can help your choppers stay strong and healthy. Watch when you eat your carbs. Carbohydrates break down into sugars, which can be converted to plaque in the mouth. Plaque is the primary cause of gum disease and cavities! If you snack on carbs like chips, cookies, and crackers, foods can get caught between teeth and under the gum line, making it easy for bacteria to get to work. If you eat your carbs at mealtimes, you’ll be … Continue reading →

Dairy-licious and Healthy?

I’m stuffed. Yesterday our playgroup attended an ice cream social at a local park (our city hosts several of these events throughout the summer). Ice cream treats for 25 cents each. Now that’s a real treat. Of course, my 3-year-old daughter wanted one of everything: Fudgesicles, Drumsticks, Creamsicles, Choco-Tacos, ice cream sandwiches… there had to have been more than a dozen types of ice cream treats there. I told her she could pick two of her favorites. Big mistake. Long story short—her eyes turned out to be bigger than her stomach and I ended up downing three ice cream treats. … Continue reading →