Calcium and magnesium are both essential minerals that the body needs. They are two of the minerals contained in each of the body cells, hence calcium and magnesium can contribute to the occurrence of high blood pressure.

Calcium is needed in the integration of cell membrane. However, when taken in excess amounts, the muscle cells tend to tighten thereby constricting the arterioles and capillaries resulting to increase in blood pressure.

In similar manner, magnesium is required for muscle contractions and the proper level of potassium-sodium-calcium ratio of the body. Henceforth, imbalances in calcium and magnesium levels can trigger high blood pressure.

On a daily basis, the body needs at least 800 milligrams of calcium for healthier bones, muscles, teeth and nerve function, to name only a few uses. According to some health professionals, women require as much as 1,500 milligrams.

The 800 milligrams of calcium is equivalent to an oversized pill and scientifically described as a macromineral. This is contrary to magnesium where the average daily requirement is even smaller than the dot in the letter "i".

Milk and dairy products are good sources of calcium accounting for 40 percent of our daily requirement. In order to complement the 800 milligrams of calcium, it is equivalent to a requirement of about three glasses of milk  while the 1,500 milligrams is around five glasses, more or less.

Other acceptable sources of calcium are green vegetables like spinach and broccoli. However, cheese is considered as not acceptable because of its sodium content. The 800 milligrams is equivalent to eight stalks of broccoli and 25 ounces of spinach wherein you will have a hard time consuming. For that, Americans would rather resort to calcium supplements.

The cell membrane loses its integrity if there is no sufficient calcium level. Lack of calcium allows the absorption of sodium and release of potassium. If there will be excess sodium, it will excrete more calcium which will require an additional push in the pressure of blood, which in turn causes high blood pressure. All owing to the constriction of the arterioles and capillaries.

Just like calcium, magnesium is also scientifically described as a macromineral. The body needs around 400 milligrams on a daily basis. Sources of which are the well-loved meat, milk and vegetables. According to surveys, people get 50 percent of the daily requirement from these sources.

Magnesium causes the muscles to relax or become tense if proper member integration is not attained. Also, renin, a hormone which allows sodium absorption will emerge when magnesium is not sufficient, causing an imbalance which will elevate the blood pressure.

How much is the necessary dietary calcium and magnesium to prevent high blood pressure?

Actually, there is no dietary calcium and magnesium level in preventing high blood pressure. This is due to the proportional relationship of potassium, sodium and magnesium to one another, whereas magnesium is responsible for the absorption of calcium.

Calcium and magnesium supplements are readily available to fill in any gap. Checkout the orange juices that are fortified with calcium and potassium for sale in the market. All you have to do is read on the label of some products prepared by food technologies, as a ready reference for your calcium and magnesium needs.

Alvin Hopkinson is a leading health researcher in the area of natural remedies and high blood pressure treatment. Discover how you can get rid of your high blood pressure for good using proven and effective home remedies, all without using harmful medications or drugs.

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Calcium is an essential dietary mineral for healthy bones and strong teeth. A constant blood calcium level is essential for the maintenance of the normal heartbeat, and for the usual functioning of nerves and muscles.

Advantages of calcium -

# Calcium ion is essential for a large variety of important physiological functions, including muscle contraction, nerve stimulation, hormonal release, cell membrane, permeability, proper enzyme function.

# Calcium is necessary to stabilize the activity of a number of proteins and enzymes. The binding of calcium ions is required for the activation of "vitamin K-dependent" clotting aspects in the blood coagulation process.

# Calcium, especially calcium derived from dairy products help adjust body fat.

# Calcium helps slow bone loss in postmenopausal women, may reduce premenstrual syndrome symptoms, and is associated with reduced threat of colorectal cancer.

# The body requires calcium to make strong teeth and healthy bones. The bones serve as the storage place for the body's calcium. They continuously release calcium into the bloodstream, and then keep replacing it as the body's requirement for calcium arises. When calcium intake is low, there is poor absorption; and there is a high probability of bone breakdown because the body uses up the stored calcium to perform normal biological functions.

# Calcium is also needed for muscle contraction and maintenance of cell membranes.

# Calcium supplements help alleviate mood swings, food cravings, pain, and bloating associated with premenstrual syndrome.

What is the recommended daily requirement of calcium?

Optimal calcium intake depends according to a person's age, sex, and ethnicity.

The U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance for calcium is 1,000 milligrams per day - given for adults (except pregnant or lactating women) and children over 4 years of age.

It is about 1200 milligrams for individuals older than 50 years of age.

The calcium intake of vegans tends to be slightly below the recommended optimal amounts but the body does adapt to lower intakes. Since vegetarians have a slightly lower protein intake and rule out meat from their diet, encourages their bodies to retain calcium so their dietary need is relatively lower.

Sources of Calcium -

Dairy products (milk, yoghurt, cottage cheese, cheese) are the main sources of calcium. Individuals with lactose intolerance (people who cannot completely digest the milk sugar lactose) and those who are vegans tend to avoid or eliminate dairy products from their diet. We all know that it is important for vegetarians to meet calcium needs with alternative calcium sources.

Good vegan sources of calcium include tofu (if prepared from calcium sulphate), green leafy vegetables, dried figs, broccoli, seeds and nuts. Some soya milks, instant breakfast cereals are also fortified with calcium. Drinking water can provide as much as 200mg of calcium daily, as hard water contains a rich source of calcium.

Although most grains are not high in calcium, they do contribute calcium to the diet because they are consumed regularly and frequently.

What affects calcium absorption and excretion from the body?

Only 20-30% of calcium in the average diet is absorbed into the body, the rest gets excreted.

A high protein diet, especially based on animal foods, causes calcium loss in the body. The higher sulphur-to-calcium ratio of meat increases calcium excretion.

Calcium absorption can also be affected by the amount of calcium present in the body, amount of vitamin D presence (helps improve calcium absorption), age, pregnancy (intestinal calcium absorption increases during pregnancy), fibre content in diet etc. The amount of calcium consumed at one time such as in a meal is inversely related to the absorption rate.

Calcium excretion refers to the amount of calcium eliminated from the body through urine, feces and sweat. Calcium excretion is affected by factors such as amount of sodium, protein, caffeine and potassium in diet.

Calcium is lost in cooking some foods even under the best conditions.

To retain calcium:

* Foods are best cooked in a minimal amount of water.

* Cook food for the shortest possible time.

What does calcium deficiency lead to?

Osteoporosis: major cause of bone fractures in the elderly, especially women. Prevention includes an adequate intake of calcium throughout life, but especially in childhood and young adulthood; and reducing trigger factors such as smoking, heavy drinking and lack of physical exercise.

Diets high in protein and salt also increase calcium loss from the body. Post-menopausal women are more prone because they produce less oestrogen, which protects the skeleton in younger women.

Rickets is a childhood disorder involving softening and weakening of the bones. It is caused by lack of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate. Deficiency of vitamin D leads to improper regulation of calcium and phosphate. Symptoms of rickets in children include delayed sitting, crawling, walking and the development of bowlegs

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Scientific studies show that Americans are deficient in Calcium, an important bone building mineral. What are the effects of calcium deficiency? Are you at risk?

You've probably heard that calcium is important for your bone and in treating/preventing osteoporosis. Majority of women don't take in enough calcium to improve bone health. Infact, studies show that American girls don't get enough calcium after the age of 11.

Calcium deficiency leads to chronic muscle spasms. At the same time, an excess of calcium may lead to the formation of stones (calculi) in the kidney or gall bladder.

Older men and women need about 1,500 milligrams of calcium a day. To give you an idea of how much calcium that is, a glass of milk contains only about 300 milligrams of calcium. That means that you would need to drink about 5 classes of milk a day to meet your increase your daily calcium intake.

Milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products are the best sources of calcium. A pint of milk a day, eaten with cereals or taken as a drink, should easily provide the required amount of calcium for healthy bones. Great sources of calcium include skim milk and yogurt, but did you know that foods such as collard greens, kale, spinach, broccoli, almonds and peas are excellent sources of calcium too.

Calcium-fortified foods and drinks such as soy beverages or orange juice contain calcium, but it does not provide other nutrients found in milk and milk products.

Vitamin C can improve calcium absorption. At the same time, protein and fats does the opposite. Health professionals need to inform patients that there are numerous healthy dietary sources of calcium and vitamin D.

Calcium carbonate is absorbed best when taken with food. Calcium citrate can be taken anytime. To help prevent constipation, don't take more calcium than necessary, increase intake of fruit juices and water, try getting calcium from food sources instead of tablets, take calcium with magnesium, or try calcium citrate or calcium chews. For a few people side effects can occur with caldium supplements such as gas or constipation. Take the recommended dosage; excessive amounts of calcium in the blood may cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, increased urination, kidney toxicity, confusion, and irregular heart rhythm.

Several forms of calcium supplements are commercially available today and health professionals need to understand the similarities and differences between them. If you take a calcium supplement, remember to then with or after a meal since it needs stomach acid for absorption.

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Coral calcium is used as a dietary supplement. Taking in enough calcium everyday is an essential part of keeping your body healthy, and if you do not take in enough calcium through your regular diet, calcium supplements are a very good idea. Calcium supplements come in an incredible variety of forms from a great array of manufacturers. Coral calcium supplements are one of the options.

Coral calcium is different from other supplemental calcium sources because of where it comes from. As you might guess from the name, it is derived from a coral species of the sea. Because these species are protected, the product is not made from the living coral. It is made from the pieces that have worn off or been washed off of the coral. Many believe that this is a great supplement because the corals mineral composition tends to be similar in many ways to the composition of the human Skeleton. Also, the fact that corals are found in nature, and are not man made tend to shed good light on coral calcium products by labeling them all-natural.

Most people know the basic functions of calcium in your body. This substance helps your body to make and maintain good bone and teeth structure and strength. If you do not take in enough calcium, your bones may not grow properly, or may become brittle and easy to break. This is also true for the teeth. You can get many foods that are rich in calcium, such as milk, cereals, and juices. If you want to know how much you are taking in, just read on nutrition labels. If you are not taking in enough, supplements may be used, such as coral calcium.

Aside from the widely known reasons that people need calcium for strong teeth and bones, there are plenty more reasons to get your daily dose. Calcium is also needed for your heart, muscles, and even nerves to function correctly. Also, calcium is needed for your blood to clot. Without enough calcium, your body would be in all around bad shape. If all it takes for you to keep all of these functions going properly is a supplement everyday, why wait?

There are many calcium supplements on the market. Some people think coral calcium is the best source available. Some think that there are better options. But one thing is certain. You need plenty of calcium everyday. Get it somewhere to keep many important functions of your body working properly.

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Calcium is one of the most essential mineral needed to sustain life of a human body. Calcium has many functions like preventing the signs and symptoms of pre menstruation, reducing the possibility of hypertension, regulating muscle build up, strengthening the nerves as well and the most important use of calcium in the human body - maintaining strong bones and teeth.

Adequate intake of calcium makes you free from the conditions like muscle spasms, absence of menstruation, hypertension, weak bones and teeth, improper heart function, disturbs the proper wound healing process and it slows down blood clotting. This is why you need to have adequate calcium intake everyday.

Aside from the human body, there are also things that need calcium. Would you believe that the aquarium needs it as well? If you continue reading this article, you will find out the use of calcium and calcium reactor in aquarium is crucial.

Calcium is not only needed by the body but the reefs as well. Calcium reactor is needed to maintain the calcium and alkalinity of the reef tank. You will need to maintain the right amount of calcium reactor in the reef to maintain its existence. The calcium reactor is needed for heavy stocks tank and stony corals because in this area calcium demands are increased.

Calcium reactor is also needed for the growth of many coralline algae. These coralline algae are very important part of the reef. The calcium reactor provides supply to the calcium by counteracting with CO2. It dissolves the media in the calcium reactor which releases the calcium in the water. The release of the calcium in the water stabilizes the pH level of the water. This is why calcium reactor is needed in water parts or in large aquariums as well.

If you are looking for a store where you can find calcium reactors, you do not have to worry about which one is to choose. There are plenty of calcium reactors sellers in your area. They will give you the complete set you need to buffer your aquarium tank.

Online stores are also available for you to purchase calcium reactor. You must look for the website that are offering huge amount of discount to buyers like you. You are getting piles if you are keen enough while searching. Make sure to browse and choose which online store is to prefer. There are many websites that are not giving real time discounts on the calcium reactors for sale.

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Calcium supplements are very important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Although the best sources of Calcium are found in Calcium containing foods. But, the majority of men and women do not get enough from their diet.

In the United States about 20 million people suffer decalcification of their bones. The results are drematic, causing muscle cramping and twitching, periodontal disease and tooth loss, and in worst cases, Osteoporosis and bone fractures.

Did you know that it's also needed for healthy muscles, nerve function, and that calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body? 99% of the calcium is found in bones and only 1% in the rest of the body; however this 1% is the most important as it is necessary for all bodily functions.

A good Calcium supplement should have a 2 to 1 ratio of calcium to magnesium for proper absorption

Remember, body fluids of healthy individuals are alkaline (with a high pH value). Our bodies are alkaline by design and acid by function. Maintaining alkalinity is essential for life health and vitality.

Most degenerative diseases have been linked to mineral and calcium deficiencies that result in low pH levels. Having the proper levels of calcium helps your body have more oxygen which helps build your your immune system so you can cooperate with your body to naturally regenerate good health!

A good Calcium supplement will have Vitamin D - also known as the sunshine vitamin - which is necessary for the proper absorption of Calcium. There are many wonderful benefits to be gained from taking Calcium. Calcium, is a whole food which is not only valuable, but vital for the body to be strong and maintain good health. It is essential for strong bones, and also for the cardiovascular and nerve systems. Calcium helps the body naturally heal itself or stay healthier.

Simply, Coral Calcium is just calcium; however, coral calcium benefit has an advantage over other types of calcium - marine coral calcium has a wide range and optimal mix of major and trace minerals. It contains calcium, magnesium and trace minerals, and the ratios of these minerals matches the human body's ratio perfectly.

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If you have trouble sometimes picking out a good calcium supplement, you are not alone. Choosing a calcium supplement can be a frustrating experience, even for health care professionals. The reason is simple. In U.S, calcium supplements are prepared and sold in different formulations, each claiming to be the right one for you. The fact that there are as many brand names as there are formulations makes it even more confusing for an average consumer. However, the situation is not entirely hopeless. Knowing what you should look for when shopping for a calcium supplement can make your experience less frustrating.

The first thing you should do when shopping for a supplement is take a few minutes to read the “supplement facts” label found on the supplement bottle. On it, you will find the serve size or dose for the supplement, the kind of calcium compound it contains, amount per serving, and percent daily value. Percent daily value is simply the percentage of the daily value provided by one serving.

Secondly, determine the calcium content per serving of the supplement. You can do so by identifying the kind of calcium compound used in the supplement. Different calcium compounds have different amounts of calcium (or elemental calcium). For example, calcium carbonate is 40% calcium; dicalcium phosphate is 38% calcium; calcium citrate is 21% calcium; calcium lactate is 13% calcium by weight and calcium gluconate is 9% calcium. What this means is that if you take 500 mg of calcium carbonate, for instance, you will get 200 mg of calcium. By contrast, you will have to take at least 950 mg of calcium citrate in order to get the same amount of calcium.

Next, consider how well the supplement dissolves. This is what sets apart good calcium supplements from bad ones. If the supplement does not dissolve well in your stomach, you are unlikely to get maximum benefit from it. To test how well the supplement dissolves, place a pill in a cup containing warm water. Let it sit for 30 minutes while stirring occasionally. If it does not dissolve well after 30 minutes, it is unlikely to dissolve well in your stomach.

Absorbability is also an important feature of a good calcium supplement. Calcium carbonate is well absorbed by most people, but calcium citrate is often recommended for those with digestive or absorption problems. You can also improve absorption of any calcium supplement by taking it in doses of 500 mg or less and with vitamin D. Calcium carbonate should be taken with food while calcium citrate can be taken any time during the day.

Good calcium supplements meet certain purity standards indicated by the use of the abbreviation USP, which stands for United States Pharmacopeia. Choose only supplements that have this symbol on their labels. Avoid calcium from unrefined oyster shell, bone meal, or dolomite without the USP symbol; they may contain high levels of lead or other toxic metals.

Finally, check how well you tolerate the supplement. Some calcium supplements produce side effects such as constipation, gas, and stomach upset. If you develop any of these side effects, try the steps discussed above under absorbability. If those steps do not help you, try a different supplement. You may also consult with your doctor or pharmacist.

Anyone looking for a calcium supplement can easily find one in the stores; picking out the right one for you is a different story. So, before you buy, read the “supplement facts” label carefully. Determine the calcium compound in the supplement and its calcium content. Test how well it dissolves and your level of tolerance for it. Choose supplements with the USP abbreviation on their labels. If you develop side effects from your supplement, try a different one, or consult with your doctor.

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Calcium Supplement Absorption Myths and Realities
You have probably heard that calcium supplements are very hard to absorb, or not very bio-available. From different sources you may have heard the elderly with compromised digestion are only absorbing 2%, 4%, 10% or some other frightening low percentage. Usually the same marketers telling you about the low absorption of calcium carbonate are also offering the latest super calcium with “close to 100% absorption”. Read on and you will be relieved to understand the science behind calcium absorption.

The Myth of Very Poor Calcium Absorption

This idea came from two places. First, some studies have shown calcium to be very poorly absorbed by individuals with low stomach acid when taken apart from a meal.

The other place this idea of low calcium absorption came from is the poor dissolution of some tablet forms. Carr and Shangraw showed some tablets where so closely bound with glues that they were taking 4 – 6 hours to dissolve! Since most food passes through your stomach in 3 hours, people have actually had calcium tablets appearing in their stool. Gelatin capsules are always preferable to tablets for this reason. The contents of gelatin capsules is a loose powder which has greater dissolution potential than a tightly bound tablet. Of course this is not a calcium absorption problem, but a poorly manufactured pill causing the low bio-availability.

If you think about it, a nutrient as important as calcium to human health could not be poorly accepted by our bodies. You will see that in the end, humans are well designed, and calcium can be absorbed in adequate amounts even by the elderly, if they are properly nourished.

The Myth of Very High Calcium Absorption

Usually the claims of a highly absorbed calcium, come from a confusion between solubility and absorption. The first step in breaking down your calcium supplement so that it is usable or bio-available is to dissolve it in your stomach. It is not uncommon for a calcium to be close to 100% soluble in either water or stomach acid. Here is where the confusion arises - solubility does not equal absorption. It is impossible for any calcium salt to be 100% absorbed through your intestinal wall and enter your bloodstream where it can be delivered to bone and other tissues for use.

The Strange Truth

Contrary to popular marketing claims, all calcium salts are relatively similar in absorption or bio-availability. All calcium salts bio-availability range from 23 – 37% if taken by normal subjects with food.(1) Taking out the few extreme study results which may even be in error, most calcium is within a few percentage points of 30% absorbed. You have heard that calcium citrate, for example has better absorption than calcium carbonate. Truth is, if they are taken with meals they are almost identical.

Some calciums like calcium citrate malate (CCM), and calcium bis-glycinate boast great solubility in water, but that does not equal significantly greater bio-availability. For example calcium bis-glycinate is 205 times more soluble in water than calcium citrate, yet only a little bit more bio-available.(2)

Top calcium expert, Professor Robert Heaney says “the solubility of a (calcium) source has very little influence on it’s absorbability.(3) Differences in solubility are of little importance, with calcium carbonate preparations, for example, being absorbed as well or better than some much more highly soluble salts. Gastric acid is not necessary for absorption of even poorly soluble preparations so long as they are taken with meals”.(4) The take home lesson from Dr. Heaney is this – maximize the absorption of your calcium supplement by taking it with meals. That way your stomach has secreted adequate acid and this acid is present for long enough to ensure any form of calcium is dissolved and ready for proper absorption.

References:

1. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 19, No. 90002, 119S-136S (2000)

2. Life Extension Magazine, March 1999, William Faloon

3. Absorbability of calcium sources: the limited role of solubility. Heaney RP, Calcif Tissue Int. 1990 May.

4. Calcium supplements: Practical considerations. Heaney RP Osteoporosis International, Feb 1991.

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of the most unfortunate health consequences of calcium deficiency is osteoporosis, the weakening and loss of bone. And the only way to combat that, of course, is to make sure that you have adequate calcium to keep you bones strong and adequate blood calcium levels for other bodily functions.

Basically, calcium is the be-all and end-all when bone building is concerned - it is the key ingredient for that process, after all. But not everyone gets his recommended calcium intake - and this calcium does not simply refer to the mineral, it refers to a specific elemental calcium.

Elemental calcium is the amount of calcium that is available to actually work in the body. Study your daily diet and see if you can and should increase your calcium intake through the food you eat. Generally, the best elemental calcium-rich foods are the nonfat or low-fat dairy products, and nondairy food like green, leafy vegetables, salmon, sardines, and soy products like tofu.

Of course, you're not always sure if you're getting enough calcium from the food you eat. There are times, maybe, that you believe you get enough calcium on today's diet... sometimes, you believe you get enough, other times you're just not sure. But dealing with the possibility of bone fractures or osteoporosis, you can't afford to be lenient about your calcium intake.

If you're not sure about getting enough calcium, you can make a choice - either start eating calcium-rich food religiously, or take calcium supplements.

Calcium supplements are the logical choice, especially for women experiencing menopause. You are sure that you're getting a level of calcium everyday. Of course, read the labels carefully to ensure that you are getting the right amount of elemental calcium - just because the label says that the calcium supplement has 2500 mg does not mean that this is the amount of elemental calcium in it. Some supplements will list their elemental calcium, other times it won't be mentioned at all. So to be sure you're getting the calcium that your body needs, it is imperative that you know the percentage of elemental calcium in the different forms of calcium available.

The type of calcium that you are taking could make a huge difference in your quest for perfect bone health. There are so many forms of calcium and calcium supplement out there, and though they appear to be the same thing, there are differences between the different forms.

Each is not entirely calcium - there's a degree of foreign substance attached to the molecule. The percentage of the compound that is actually elemental calcium is, then, an issue.

Inorganic Calcium Forms:

-Calcium carbonate is the most widely-used form of supplement of all types, and also the cheapest. Also, it has the highest degree of elemental calcium - 40% of the total molecule. Taking a 1250 mg of calcium carbonate tablet means getting 500 mg of elemental calcium. Unfortunately, like inorganic forms, it is the most poorly absorbed, with only 5-10% taken in by the body. But unlike the other inorganic forms, calcium carbonate requires the most acid. It is a good idea to drink more water than usual when taking calcium carbonate.

-Calcium Phosphate contains approximately 39% elemental calcium. It is easily digested, and it is the calcium type that is used to fortify orange juice and soy milk. Unfortunately, it is the most expensive.

Organic Calcium Forms:

-Calcium amino acid chelates has 65-80% absorption rates. They are fairly expensive and not as easily found.

-Calcium ascorbate gives you the benefit of Vitamin C as the other part of the molecule sans the acidity of the vitamin. It's both expensive and hard to find.

-Calcium aspartate is the second best absorbed - 85% - of the commercially available types of calcium. Along with calcium orotate, it is the hardest to find.

-Calcium citrate is the most recommended by doctors, because it is the most easily absorbed. Unfortunately, it contains only about 21% of elemental calcium - you have to take more tablets to get enough calcium.

-Calcium gluconate and calcium lactate contain about 15% elemental calcium, similar to citrate in terms of absorbability and lack of side effects. But these cost more - as much as 3 to 10 more than the cost of calcium citrate

-Calcium orotate is the best absorbed of the commercially available types of calcium with 90-95% absorbent rate.
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