The A to Z of ‘miracle mineral’ calcium and how it helps your body to function at its optimum best

The A to Z of ‘miracle mineral’ calcium and how it helps your body to function at its optimum best
 
Women need calcium most for bone development. ‘The building up and wearing away of bone is a lifelong process,’ in women, the breakdown of bone tissue is checked by oestrogen. Post menopause, however, when oestrogen levels fall, the bone wears away faster than it can build up. It’s vital to build up a bank balance of calcium by the time you are 30, since bone density peaks around this time then and can only decline afterwards. Sufficient calcium now lets bones reach optimum bone density, a huge insurance against osteoporosis   later in life.
HOW MUCH IS RIGHT?
The amount of calcium that a woman needs per day depends on her age group and hormonal profile.  ‘The peak requirements are at menarche (onset of menstruation), at childbirth and at menopause.’