Calcium

The body contains more calcium than any other mineral, with approximately 95% of it found in our bones. Calcium is crucial for bone health and the health of the nervous system, muscles, heart, blood, skin, hair, and nails.

The recommended dietary intake of calcium is:

Infants: 210-270 mg.

Children: 8-18 years 500-1300 mg.

Adults: 1000-1200 mg.

Calcium is never delivered alone; it is accompanied by other minerals bound to a carrier molecule that transports them into cells. By using plant-based calcium, you are always aligning yourself with nature's intelligence.  Eating more leafy greens (see chart below) is very beneficial, but note that although spinach is high in calcium, it depletes calcium due to oxalic acid, which reduces absorption. 

While dairy products are incredibly high in calcium, there is much controversy over whether pasteurization and homogenization render the calcium more challenging to digest.  Fortified milk and juice products typically contain added calcium carbonate, which the body does not efficiently utilize.

Calcium is found in many foods, but its absorption can be reduced by excessive intake of protein, fat, fiber, caffeine, and alcohol. When there is excess calcium, it has to be deposited somewhere, which can occur in the arteries as plaque, increasing strain on the heart muscle and causing hypertension and a possible heart attack. Excesses can also deposit in the soft tissue, causing arthritis, muscle cramping, fibromyalgia, brain gravel (calcium deposits in the brain), kidney stones, breast lumps, and osteoporosis.

The term osteoporosis was coined in the 1830s, meaning “porous bones,” and there is no word for it in Ayurvedic or Chinese medicine because it is considered a modern disease. Ayurveda generally recommends using whole foods in small doses throughout the day to acquire our nutrients. Whole foods contain other minerals and vitamins that act as messengers or vehicles, assisting in the proper absorption and assimilation of calcium in the body.

Ayurveda understands that weak bones result from an imbalance of the ether and air elements in the body, also known as the Vata Dosha.  Vata's home or seat in the body is the colon, which has an intricate relationship with the bones, and keeping Vata in balance and good health is of utmost importance for bone health.

If you are choosing a calcium supplement, look for one bound to a naturally occurring carrier molecule, such as an amino acid, and be sure to optimize vitamin D3 levels, which help carry calcium out of the gut and into cells for delivery.