Men can benefit from calcium supplements to maintain bone strength and prevent colon cancer.
While the benefits of calcium for bone health have been established for years, recent research is now supporting the emergence of calcium as an important mineral for supporting the health of many other body systems in both men and women. Here are two important health benefits of calcium and why you may need to consider calcium supplements to boost your intake of this vital nutrient.
Calcium and Bone Health
Calcium and Vitamin D are the two most essential building blocks of healthy bones. Unfortunately, as men age the body’s ability to use calcium may diminish, resulting in a loss of bone density that can cause a hunched look and increased risk of fractures. Getting more calcium can help. So can seeking andropause treatment. At Renew Man™, we can test for excess cortisol that may be leaching calcium from the body as well as for low testosterone and low estrogen that may be interfering with healthy bone growth.
Calcium and Colon Health
In a meta-analysis of 15 prior studies on colorectal cancer, researchers at Harvard School of Public Health found that every 300 mg increase in total calcium was associated with an 8 percent reduction in cancer risk. For every 300 mg increase coming specifically from supplements, the risk reduction was slightly higher at 9 percent. In their findings, which were published in the International Journal of Cancer, the researchers indicated that increasing calcium beyond 1,000 mg per day may continue to decrease colorectal cancer risk.
Why Supplement
Of course, many foods do contain natural calcium and it is certainly possible to get all the calcium you need from your diet alone. However, as the Harvard research team pointed out in their findings, dairy products, which are the typical go-to dietary source of calcium, are also a substantial source of calories and saturated fat. You will need to be careful about adding these kinds of calcium sources to your diet in order to avoid potentially contributing to the development of belly fat that can interfere with efforts to safely boost your testosterone during andropause.
You can also turn to non-dairy calcium sources like broccoli, watercress, and cabbage. If you find it difficult to work these foods into your diet on a daily basis, a calcium supplement is another option. Supplements help you hit your goal for ideal calcium intake without any risk of extra calories or need for painstaking nutritional label reading and portion measuring. At Renew Man™, we can provide custom dietary guidance including recommendations for appropriate supplements of calcium and other vital nutrients.