‘Why I Take Calcium Supplements’

‘Why I take calcium supplements’ by Joanna Engel MSc BSc (Hons) PGDip Nutrition Therapy MBANT CNHC

Our monthly blog will focus on discussing important and current topics of interest on an expansive array of nutritional subjects relating to diet, health, supplements and lifestyle. We aim to share the latest nutrition news and updates to help maximise your health, as well as informing you of all of our impressive monthly product offers. We hope you find this blog informative and inspiring. As a busy working mother, I appreciate the challenge of balancing a demanding schedule with ensuring we get the nutrients that we need from our diet, however, if we struggle to get the right nutrients, over time this may lead to nutritional deficiencies. The inspiration for this month’s post comes from my own health experience which has led to my additional nutritional requirements, for which I take a daily supplement. As a former cancer thyroid patient, I have had my thyroid removed, and am required to take levothyroxine (T4) daily for the rest of my life. The thyroid is an important gland that produces hormones to regulate the body's metabolic rate as well as heart and digestive function, muscle control, brain development and bone maintenance As a Nutrition Therapist I am aware that taking levothyroxine medication daily depletes my calcium levels. Calcium plays key roles in cell signalling, blood clotting, muscle contraction, nerve function and in bone health. Therefore, I take a daily supplement containing calcium, as well as other important nutrients found to support bone health including boron, vitamin D, magnesium and vitamin K, as well as consuming a diet rich in calcium rich foods seeds, cheese, dark leafy greens, yoghurt, tinned sardines, beans and lentils, almonds in order to support my bone health. (Society of Endocrinology). (Natural database).