| Copyright 2006 Lack of Calcium | | | | decrease in adulthood and continued loss of bone |
| Today we lack a lot of calcium in our diets. We need | | | | occurs as we age, found to do so more in women. |
| a good amount of calcium to keep our bones teeth | | | | Teenagers, especially girls, whose diets don't give the |
| muscles and blood stream healthy. Calcium is | | | | nutrients to build bones to their best are at a higher |
| supposed to be the most commonly found mineral in | | | | risk of developing the bone disease osteoporosis, |
| humans today, yet even though it is still true, we are | | | | which is becoming more of a problem every day. |
| lacking the proper amount. | | | | Osteoporosis causes fractures in weak bones and |
| Because of this, our bones are getting weaker and | | | | can make a persons bones easier to break. |
| more fragile, making us perfect targets for the bone | | | | Calcium also plays an important role in muscle |
| disease osteoporosis. Calcium is not that hard to get | | | | contraction, sending messages through the nerves, |
| into our bodies. | | | | and the release of hormones. If blood calcium levels |
| It can be found in dairy products, beans, and other | | | | are low, calcium is taken from the bones to ensure |
| nutritional foods as well. We do not seem to get | | | | normal cell function. |
| enough intake of these types of foods, so there for | | | | When children get enough calcium and physical |
| our calcium levels are usually low. | | | | activity during childhood and the teen years, they can |
| One of the things wrong with this is that the | | | | start out their adult lives with the strongest bones |
| recommended servings is about to change. Where it | | | | possible. If how ever they do not get the right |
| used to be we should drink one glass of milk a day | | | | amount they can find that their bones and teeth can |
| and get at least three servings of dairy or beans, it is | | | | grow weak quicker then they should. |
| about to change to where we are recommended 3 | | | | By feeding your child food that has enough calcium in |
| glasses of milk a day and at least 6 servings of dairy | | | | it, you are helping them to build strong bones and |
| or beans a day, and that is just for calcium. | | | | teeth. You are also enabling them to be able to have |
| We are not eating right and because of it we are | | | | a good and healthy diet through out their lives. |
| losing our bones teeth and muscles. Calcium is needed | | | | People today are very unhealthy, low calcium intake |
| not only for those but it also helps with contraction | | | | as a child is part of the problem. Children need the |
| of muscles, and as you may know, our most | | | | right amount of calcium to stay strong, and without |
| important muscle is our heart. With our calcium levels | | | | that needed calcium they grow to be obese, weak, |
| dropping we are slowly enabling our heart to get | | | | and their bones break easier. |
| heart disease, and high blood pressure. | | | | When we are children, we are not able to make sure |
| We must put a stop to this before it is too late. | | | | we are getting what we need, so it is up to the |
| Over half the population of America suffers from | | | | parent to make sure the child gets what is needed. |
| heart disease already. If we don't start getting the | | | | Children also won't eat everything that is put in front |
| right amount of calcium needed we are going to end | | | | of them. This is a small problem, but it is easily fixed. |
| up with the whole country having heart disease. | | | | Some of the things that seem like snacks actually |
| Calcium in Kids | | | | have a good amount of calcium in them. Ice cream |
| During childhood, the body uses calcium to build | | | | being one example, anything with dairy in it has |
| strong bones and teeth: a process that is finished by | | | | calcium in it. |
| the end of the teenage years. Bone calcium begins to | | | | |