Calcium is an important mineral for a healthy body, according to the Vitamins & Nutrition Center online. When calcium is taken as a supplement, it performs a number of significant functions in the body to strengthen bones and teeth, regulate hormone function and support the health of new mothers. While most calcium is in the bones and teeth, a portion of the calcium we take in also circulates in the bloodstream to perform a number of other roles for optimum health. Consult your health-care provider for more information about the benefits of calcium supplementation.
Heart Health
Calcium is an essential mineral for heart health, according to the Vitamins & Nutrition Center online. The presence of the mineral in the body helps to regulate the contractions of heart muscles, while also playing an important role in the transmission of nerve impulses. A deficiency in calcium may cause hypertension or high blood pressure, as your body automatically releases a hormone when calcium is low that raises your blood pressure. Supplementation is important in muscle health, including your heart muscle, as calcium helps to control the contracting and relaxing of the muscles. The mineral may also benefit your nervous system by regulating blood pressure in your arteries.
Bone Health
According to the New York State Department of Health, 99 percent of your body's calcium is found in your bones and teeth. Calcium is constantly deposited and broken down by your body based on its needs, so when your diet or supplementation is low in calcium, your body takes it from your bones; this process helps to regulate your blood calcium levels. When your body is low in calcium, however, bones may become brittle and weak, which can cause breakages or ultimately lead to osteoporosis.
Weight Management
According to AlgaeCal.com, high calcium intake may help to regulate body weight. High calcium supplementation may lower the concentration of calcium in fat cells by reducing the production of certain hormones in the body. This process stimulates the breakdown of fat in the cells. Also, calcium supplements may bind to dietary fat to prevent its absorption in the digestive tract. Once the calcium is attached to the fat cells, it is released through the bowels and discarded from the body. While some evidence suggests that calcium benefits weight management, more research is needed to confirm calcium's role in weight loss.
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