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The National Institutes of Health or the NIH, announced in 2001 that the United States was suffering from a “Calcium Crisis”. It was then revealed that a mere 36.3% of boys and an astonishing 13.5% of girls between the ages of 12 and 19 were getting the RDA or recommended daily allowance of calcium. It is imperative that we understand that 90% of bone mass is established during these ages. Those numbers indicate that osteoporosis and other bone diseases will be on the rise as these kids grow up. And adults aren’t getting enough calcium either.

It is obvious that we aren’t getting what we need from the foods that we eat. So supplementation seems the obvious backup choice in order to ensure we are getting what we need. The problem with supplementation is that the body can only absorb 500 mg of calcium at a time. So we need to take our supplements at least twice per day, or take a supplement and make sure we eat the rest that we need through our food choices. Or perhaps it would be even wiser to take our supplements twice and get what we can through our foods too.

The most common form of calcium is known as Calcium Carbonate. This form is considerably less expensive, but note that it is not as effective for preventing osteoporosis. This form is harder for the body to absorb, especially if you do not have enough stomach acid and you should always take it with meals.

The best form of calcium is known as Calcium Citrate. This form is perhaps the most easily absorbed by the body and will digest more easily. It is also very effective in preventing osteoporosis.

There is recent research that indicates that the use of calcium may help to promote weight loss. These studies have found that those who have higher calcium intakes tend to also have lower body fat and body weight and that the weight gain during the midlife is significantly reduced. Men who eat enough calcium rich foods reduce their risk of developing colon cancer. Women who take daily supplements can alleviate the unpleasant symptoms of PMS such as pain, tenderness, bloating, food cravings and mood swings.

Calcium is also very beneficial to your blood pressure. A deficiency of calcium can actually lead to high blood pressure. There is research that indicates that calcium may also help other conditions such as ADHD or attention hyperactivity disorder, headaches, canker sores, heartburn, gum disease and even high cholesterol. Further research is needed to substantiate these findings.

Calcium can be found in a whole host of herbs and foods. The herbs that contain calcium are:

• Basil
• Dill Weed
• Cinnamon
• Fennel
• Ginseng
• Fenugreek
• Marjoram
• Kelp
• Parsley
• Oregano
• Savory
• Sage
• Poppy Seed

The foods that contain calcium are:

• Blackstrap Molasses
• Brazil Nuts
• Broccoli
• Bok Choy
• Collard Greens
• Swiss Chard
• Kale
• Calcium Fortified Juices
• Milk and Milk Products
• Nuts
• Oysters
• Sardines with Bones
• Tahini
• Whole Grains
• Soybean Flour
• Wheat-Soy Flour

Personally, I like to have some calcium-fortified orange juice in the morning, a yogurt for a snack and a small serving of low-fat ice cream for dessert. A little sprinkle of low-fat cheese on my salad is always good. When I think of dairy foods and juices, I think CalciYUM. My taste buds are happy and so are my bones and teeth. Go calcium!