Crystal Nelson
The mineral is a real all-rounder: it relieves PMS, strengthens the bones, and can prevent cancer. Read here what else you need to know about calcium.
Many women suffer from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) before their period: irritability, mood swings, water retention, or insomnia. Now there is finally help: Doctors found out that the symptoms are related to the calcium level. The lower it is, the stronger the PMS symptoms.
Calcium gets the nerve cells going
The brain also needs calcium. If we don’t have enough of it in our blood, we become nervous, anxious, or explode at the slightest provocation. Women who are exposed to the double burden of family and jobs need a particularly large amount of calcium. Because stress hormones are among the worst calcium thieves.
The risk of osteoporosis increases with menopause
Calcium is particularly important for bone metabolism. In healthy bones, new bone tissue is constantly being built up and old bone is broken down. Both processes balance each other out. During menopause, this balance is disturbed: Bone loss increases because estrogen is lacking. The hormone promotes calcium absorption in the bones. If this support is missing, the body needs more calcium. Otherwise, osteoporosis will occur, which mainly affects women. According to the latest information, 7.8 million women in Germany are affected – and the trend is rising. Osteoporosis has now been included in the list of the top ten diseases by the World Health Organization. Because the decrease in bone mass increases the risk of fractures, which can have life-threatening consequences.
Prevention strengthens the bone substance
Optimal osteoporosis prophylaxis is based on three pillars: diet, exercise, and calcium. The basic rules for a bone-strengthening diet: are lots of milk, whole grain products, fruit, and green vegetables. In order for calcium to actually get into the bones, vitamin D is needed as an incorporation aid. Diet alone is usually not enough to provide enough calcium (1200 mg/day). Vitamin D is also rarely available in sufficient quantities (800 IU). If you want to be on the safe side, you can get a combination preparation from the pharmacy.
