FOCUS ON CALCIUM
This key mineral does much more than keep your teeth and bones strong. Dietician Carrie Ruxton gives the lowdown
ADVICE LINE
Carrie Ruxton
CARRIE RUXTON PHD is an award-winning dietician, health writer and TV nutritionist
What is it?
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in our bodies, making up around two per cent of our body weight. It’s mostly stored in bones and teeth where it acts as natural scaffolding, but calcium is also vital for muscle contractions, protein metabolism, blood pressure and clotting, and nervous function. If levels in the blood are too low, our bones are ‘raided’ to make up the deficit; this is why we need to keep it topped up. Teenagers and women often have poor intakes; experts think this may be because they’re more likely to skip breakfast (which often contains milk). Worryingly, one in five teen girls don’t get enough, putting them at risk of low bone density.