Why You Don’t Want Calcium from Cow’s Milk
Most cow’s milk sold in grocery stores is pasteurized, including some organic brands. Pasteurization isn’t ideal because it leads to the formation of calcium carbonate in the milk. Calcium carbonate, essentially chalk, isn’t easily absorbed by the body unless there’s a chelating agent present. To process this form of calcium, the body often pulls calcium from bones, which can lead to osteoporosis over time.
Another reason vegetable-based calcium is better than milk-based calcium is due to the presence of methionine in milk. This amino acid, when consumed in large amounts, can make the body’s pH more acidic. An acidic pH further encourages the leaching of calcium from bones, negating the benefits of drinking milk for calcium.
Calcium Daily Allowance
The term “Calcium Daily Allowance” refers to the amount of calcium needed daily, which varies by age and gender. Men and women aged 19-50 need about 1,000 mg daily. Women over 50 and everyone over 70 need 1,200 mg daily. Calcium is crucial for the body, supporting 179 different functions, so it’s essential to ensure adequate intake.
Vegetables provide ample calcium for daily needs. Here’s a look at the calcium content in one cup of some commonly available vegetables:
– Raw Kale: 137 mg
– Collard Greens: 357 mg
– Turnip Greens: 105 mg
– Garlic: 246 mg
– Arugula: 32 mg
– Rapini (Broccoli Rabe): 516 mg
– Mustard Greens: 152 mg
– Sun-Dried Tomatoes: 59 mg
– Raw Spinach: 30 mg
– Okra: 177 mg
Other vegetables like raw broccoli, sweet potatoes, lettuce, and cabbage also contain significant amounts of calcium. Additionally, fruits such as apples are rich in calcium and offer numerous other health benefits.
Supplementation
It’s important to recognize that modern agricultural practices have depleted soil nutrients, reducing the calcium content in vegetables and fruits over the past fifty years. Organic farming helps mitigate this, but to ensure adequate calcium intake, it’s recommended to supplement your diet with a natural calcium orotate supplement. This can help meet your daily calcium needs effectively.
