Vigour – Health and Sports Nutrition

Macrominerals play an important role in maintaining the health of musculoskeletal system, brain function, cardiovascular system, and reproductive function. They are found in the body in abundance. Macrominerals are those for which the daily requirement is more than 100mg. They include calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium.

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body. About 98% of the calcium is deposited in the bones, while remaining 2% is present in the intracellular fluids and soft tissues. Calcium plays a vital role in maintaining the health and strength of bones. It is required for the storage of important minerals in the bones. It assists in the secretion of hormones and helps prevent accumulation of too much acid in the body. It supports the process of blood clotting and affects muscle contraction, nerve transmission, neurotransmitters and muscle growth.

The rich dietary sources of calcium include broccoli, spinach, peas, kale, mustard greens, salmon, sardines, tofu, yoghurt, buttermilk, cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese, milk, baked beans, blackstrap molasses and sesame seeds.

A regular intake of calcium is recommended in ailments like backache, rickets, osteopenia, osteoporosis, arthritis, atherosclerosis, hypertension, constipation, cataracts, mental illness, insomnia, nail problems, acne and colon cancer. People suffering from these medical conditions are often advised to take a dietary supplement that contains calcium in its formulation.

Natures Aid Calcium 400mg (Chewable) is a popular brand on the market that promotes strong bones and healthy teeth. It makes a great gift for children, pregnant women and elderly. It is suitable for people who are allergic to milk and vegetarians.

Cartilage is a soft and flexible connective tissue that is found in joints and other areas of your body such as bronchial tubes, rib cage, ear and nose. It helps protect the joints from shocks and allows for smooth movement. Cartilage doesn’t contain blood vessels and therefore, it grows, repairs, and heals very slowly.

There are a variety of causes that can damage the structure and functions of cartilage. They include an autoimmune disease, physical trauma such as a traumatic road accident, sport injury or bad fall, previous joint injury, daily wear and tear, age, immobilization for long periods, and viral or bacterial infection.

Articular cartilage damage in the knee joint often causes knee swelling, severe pain and substantial reduction in mobility. If left untreated, small articular cartilage damage can lead to osteoarthritis over time.

In order to maintain the health of cartilage and joints, make sure that you use a supplement that plays a vital role in maintenance of the cartilage and connective tissues in the joints. Natures Aid Glucosamine & Chondroitin Complex is a naturally occurring compound that helps maintain the health of your joints and nourishes cartilage with the glucosamine and chondroitin. Natures Aid glucosamine is a product of crustaceans and chondroitin is sourced from shark cartilage and is bovine free. Moreover, Natures Aid also contains Rosehip in its formulation that makes your joints flexible and supple. You should take 1-2 tablets per day with food to maintain the health of cartilage, surrounding connective tissues, ligaments and tendons.

Calcium plays a vital role in maintaining the health of your bones. Not only does it maintain the flexibility of your joints and strengthen your bones, but it also helps maintain mineral bone density. A deficiency of calcium may lead to the osteoporosis, a condition in which your bones become soft and weak due to the growing age. Therefore, it becomes very important that you include calcium-rich diets in your daily dietary routine.

Milk makes a rich source of calcium and you should drink at least one glass of milk every day. Ten ounces of fat-free milk will cost you about 110 calories, but provide you with 38%-40% of your daily dose of calcium. It also makes a good idea that you use a milk brand fortified with vitamin D. Vitamin D is another important nutrient that is essential for the growth and development of your bones. Vitamin D helps the bones in the absorption of calcium. Moreover, it helps produce hormones which maintain healthy phosphorus levels in the bloodstream.

In order to maintain the strong bones and teeth, make sure that you take a supplement which makes use of calcium and vitamin D in its formulation. Vitabiotics Osteocare Original Healthy Bones & Calcium is the number one calcium supplement on the market that contains a well-balanced “Bone-Friendly” formula. The formula includes the full-recommended daily allowances of calcium, vitamin D3, magnesium and zinc. D3 is very effective as it is the specific form made in the human body by the action of UVB ultraviolet radiation. Moreover, zinc helps in the constant regeneration of bones and maintains healthy muscles and nerves.