CALCIUM

Calcium is the mineral in your body that makes up your bones and keeps them strong.

Function

Ninety-nine percent of the body's supply of calcium goes into the formation and maintenance of bones and teeth. Maintenance is the key word here for calcium is constantly being shuttled from bones to meet other bodily needs (the transmission of nerve impulses, for example, the clotting of blood, the regulation of heart muscle rhythm and the absorption of vitamin B12). The remaining 1% is in your blood and soft tissues and is essential for life and health. Without this tiny 1% of calcium, your muscles wouldn't contract correctly, your blood wouldn' t clot and your nerves wouldn't carry messages.

It may be important in both preventing and treating high blood pressure (hypertension). It's been found to ease the symptoms of PMS, to reduce the risk of heart disease, strokes, colon cancer, even kidney stones.

Sources

All dairy products except butter; dried peas and beans; most dark leafy greens (beet and turnip tops, kale and collards but not spinach or Swiss chard); the soft bones of canned fish.