Calcium: Miracle Mineral

While many people might be aware that calcium is good for bone health, this is not the only benefit that this miracle mineral provides. Various studies have been conducted that reveal that calcium has a positive effect on weight management. A study conducted at a university in Omaha revealed that women who consumed high levels of calcium were less likely to gain weight. The survey was conducted on 575 women who were middle aged.

It has also been discovered that calcium is vital in the process of metabolizing food. Calcium helps to deplete cells of fat. It has been shown that people who are calcium deficient, have more fat stored in their cells. People who have a calcium-rich diet, release a hormone that tells the cells to release fat and lose weight. This ground-breaking news is great for people who are struggling to lose unwanted kilograms.

Further research revealed that women who consumed at least 780 mgs of calcium did not gain weight over a 24-month period. During the same timeframe, women who consumed less than this amount, in fact gained weight. A group of people who consumed 1900 calories lost weight on a calcium-rich diet, even more so than people who consumed beans, nuts and green leafy vegetables. This is great news for those of us who struggle with spinach, broccoli and the like.

So many women suffer from premenstrual syndrome, and their husbands do too! While women suffer from painful breasts, bloating, cramps and backache. These symptoms cause women to become weepy and moody. It is at this time that men suffer the most as women suffering from PMS can be rather difficult to live with. The solution to this problem is for women to increase their intake of calcium. A study involving 497 females, revealed that women who took 1200 mgs of calcium, experienced less of these symptoms just prior to having a period. Another survey revealed similar results in a group of women who increased their calcium intake from 600mg to 1200 mg.

Scientists have conducted surveys on people with hypertension. A study conducted over 13 years revealed a 12 % reduction in the blood pressure of the participants. This was evident in the group of people who consumed 1300 mg of calcium per day in contrast to the group that consumed 300mg a day. People who were younger than 40 actually reduced their blood pressure by 25% during the same study. It was further established that these results were even better in the group of people who were sensitive to salt.

Calcium has been proven to be effective in the war against strokes and high cholesterol. Surveys conducted on middle-aged women, revealed that women who consumed high amounts of calcium, had a 32% less likelihood of suffering from a stroke. Even women who took about 400mg a day were 12% less likely to fall to this disease. In terms of cholesterol, calcium does not affect the HDL or good cholesterol. It does, however, reduce the total cholesterol by as much as 6% and reduces the LDL or bad cholesterol by 11%.

It is important to note that obesity, strokes and high cholesterol are three of the biggest killers in the western world. It is refreshing to know that by simply increasing calcium intake, these diseases can be kept at bay.

There is ample evidence that calcium is beneficial for a host of reasons. The bottom line is that it is wise to take the right amount of calcium each day in order to live a healthier life. If you decide to start taking a calcium supplement, make sure you source an ionic form of the mineral. Ionic minerals are more easily absorbable.