I have a question!

• What is calcium?
• Why is calcium so important to me?
• What happens when I do not take in enough calcium?
• Hey, I've got a great idea! What if I take in more calcium than I need?
• I heard that someone is lactose intolerant... What does 'lactose intolerant' mean?
• Dad / Mom / Teacher says I need Vitamin D. Why do I need it?
• What if I eat too much Vitamin D?

Where can I get:

• calcium??
• Vitamin D??

How much each day do I need:

• calcium?
• Vitamin D?

I'm just too tired / lazy / bored / busy to go through all of the above.. Can I have a short summary of everything?

Why is calcium so important to me?

When the calcium level in our blood is low, our body will start taking calcium from our bones. Why? Well, our body needs calcium to function properly. Our bones also need calcium to be firm and strong. This is because our bone is mostly made up of hydroxyapatite or calcium phosphate [Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂] crystals. This means that our bone contains large amounts of calcium and phosphate. Hydroxyapatite makes our bones and teeth firm and hard.

As we grow, our bone is constantly formed and reformed again. To maintain the calcium levels in our blood, the calcium from our bones will go into our blood when we have a low calcium level. Then there are cells that make new bone to replace the 'lost' bone. Can you see that this is a cycle? As our bone is mainly made up of calcium, when we do not take in enough calcium, the lost bone is not replaced. When this carries on, our bones no longer become healthy and strong.

Hence, it is very important to take in enough calcium to keep our bones healthy and strong!

Are you still not convinced? Well, go on to find out what happens when you do not take in enough calcium...

Calcium? | Importance of calcium | Not taking in enough calcium | Taking in too much calcium

Lactose Intolerant? | Importance of Vitmain D | Taking in too much Vitamin D | Summary

Sources of calcium | Sources of Vitamin D | Daily recommended amt of calcium | Daily recommended amt of Vitamin D

References:

(April 7, 2004). Healthcommunities.com, Inc. Kidney Stones. [WWW document].

URL: http://www.urologychannel.com/kidneystones/index.shtml. Date Accessed: 10/06/04

Karen Collins. Young Again Nutrients. Vitamin D Deficiency Concerns on the Rise [WWW document]

URL: http://www.youngagain.com/vitamind7.html. Date Accessed: 20/06/04

Jane Higdon (2001 to April 8, 2003). Linus Pauling Institute. Calcium. [WWW document]

URL: http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/calcium/. Date Accessed: 05/06/04

Osteoporosis Society of Canada Web site. What is Osteoporosis? [WWW document] URL: http://www.osteoporosis.ca/english/about%20osteoporosis/default.asp?s=1.

About Osteoporosis [WWW document] URL: http://www.osteoporosis.ca/english/About Osteoporosis/Nutrition/Calcium%20Requirements/default.asp?s=1,

http://www.osteoporosis.ca/english/About Osteoporosis/Nutrition/default.asp?s=1

Date Accessed: 05/06/04. C. 2004.

Health Promotion Board. Joy of Life [WWW document] URL: http://www.hpb.gov.sg/hpb/ere/ere05010101.asp
Strong Bones for Life [WWW document] (in pdf format) http://www.hpb.gov.sg/pdf/strongbonesforlife_e_.pdf

Adult Requirements [WWW document] http://www.hpb.gov.sg/hpb/adu/adu010101.asp

Child Requirements [WWW document] http://www.hpb.gov.sg/hpb/chi/chi010101.asp Date Accessed: 04/06/04