Weight Loss Spotlight

Protein and Calcium

Protein & Calcium to Build Muscle!

While protein is a must for your muscles, calcium is a necessary mineral for your bones. The need of calcium supplementation especially in athletes who usually have a higher protein intake then the average person is extremely important and even more so in the female athlete. The bone mineral density in women is often low as it is and adding extreme exercise to that puts the female athlete in the risk group of calcium deficiency.

The high intake of protein in athletes of all genders causes an increased excretion of calcium and therefore a negative calcium balance. Another risk that athletes are facing is the possible double calcium deficiency they might suffer from, due to a higher bone mineralization from exercise-induced stress. A good mineral supplement high in calcium is therefore a must for athletes.

Women especially have to make sure they get enough calcium in their diets, whether it comes from food or supplements. The increased rate of osteoporosis cases in the world should serve as a warning to all women to watch their diets, their calcium and mineral intake and make sure they exercise to increase their bone density.

Calcium supplementation alone doesn't seem to be enough to keep your bones healthy if your protein intake is too low, for whatever reason. Even though consuming too much protein might cause a decrease in calcium absorption, a diet fairly high in protein, is still the best way to go as long as you take a good calcium supplement with it.

The recommended daily intake of calcium is 1200mg.

Protein and Calcium Advice Continued...