Calcium, which is important for bone health, has a low absorption rate in the body
Requires magnesium and vitamin D to help calcium work
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[헤럴드경제=육성연 기자] Calcium is not the only nutrient needed for bone health. Calcium is a nutrient with a low absorption rate in the body, so in order to perform its role properly in our body, a ‘partner nutrient’ is needed to help it. This is why the word ‘Kalmadi’ is popular recently.
‘Kalmadi’ is an abbreviation of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, and refers to a combination of nutrients needed to maintain bone health.
▶Magnesium
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Magnesium is a mineral that is closely involved in the body’s action of calcium. It transports calcium throughout the body and also prevents calcium from escaping from the bones.
Magnesium is consumed in the absorption of calcium in the body, so if you consume only calcium excessively, the body may become deficient in magnesium. In other words, if you are taking calcium supplements, you should also pay attention to your magnesium intake.
There are also studies showing that magnesium regulates the amount of vitamin D in the blood to an appropriate level. According to Professor Daichi’s team at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the United States, taking magnesium supplements showed that vitamin D-deficient people increased their vitamin D levels, while those with too much vitamin D had their levels decreased.
Magnesium is found in green leafy vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seed foods.
▶Vitamin D
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Vitamin D, along with calcium, plays an important role in bone health. According to medical experts, vitamin D helps the large intestine and kidneys absorb calcium, and builds calcium in the bones to increase bone density. Therefore, when vitamin D is severely deficient, bone density begins to decline and the risk of osteoporosis increases.
Vitamin D also plays a role in regulating the concentration of calcium and phosphorus in the body within the normal range. When the phosphorus concentration in our body increases, there is a risk of calcium absorption disorder due to changes in the parathyroid hormone. In other words. No matter how much calcium you consume, if you don’t have enough vitamin D, you won’t see the effect.
The Korean Society of Nutrition suggests the recommended daily intake of vitamin D for adults as 400 IU (international unit).
