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?

Hey, I've got a great idea! What if I take in more calcium than I need?

No you should not!

Although sufficient calcium intake is important in maintaining healthy bones and teeth, too much calcium is also bad for our health. When you take in too much calcium, the excess calcium lost through the urine is increased. It is thought that taking in too much calcium can cause kidney stones.

One of the most common kidney stones is made up of calcium. Dietary factors such as sodium and protein cause an increased calcium loss through the urine. Normally, excess calcium is taken from the blood by the kidneys and passed out in the urine. However, in this case, the excess calcium builds up in the kidneys and urine, combining with other waste products to form kidney stones.

Having kidney stones can be very painful. Sometimes one would vomit. The pain may also be felt to the groin.

If the stone is too large to pass through, pain continues as the muscles in the wall of the tiny ureter try to force the stone into the bladder. As a stone grows or moves, there may be a little blood in the urine. There may be an increased desire to urine or a burning feeling when urinating. If you have fever and chills soon later, there may be an infection. Contact a doctor as soon as possible.

So make sure that you don't eat too much calcium. Just eat the recommended amount!

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