Calcium diet for Women
Calcium intake for women is a much discussed subject today on the media and at various health related conferences and literature. There are mixed views despite the fact that the importance of calcium is indeed immense in women’s diet, even more so than in men.
Some studies have linked sufficient calcium intake to prevention of weight gain in middle age, which, combined with the ability of calcium to prevent cholesterol build up and control blood pressure significantly lowers the risk of heart disease in older women. According to a 1999 Harvard study, calcium supplement intake reduces risk of strokes in middle aged women.
According to a study, women on a high calcium diet reported less cramping, bloating, anxiety and depression in the pre menstrual period compared to women taking lower levels of calcium. Given the advantages, it is imperative that women include sufficient amount of calcium in their diet. The major source is dairy products such as cheese, milk, yogurt, and butter. However, the downside is that these products also contain a lot of fats, which in turn increase risk aversely affect the body, leading to heart diseases. There are alternative sources of calcium too, such as sardines, clams, oysters, tuna, broccoli and kale. Soy milk, mustard greens, and turnip greens are also good calcium sources. Also, calcium fortified cereals and juices are commonly available, and can be easily incorporated into the breakfast menu.
