A sufficient intake of calcium is important as it helps the body to
- maintain healthy bones
- mediate blood vessel function and nerve impulse transmission
- absorb and use other micronutrients such as vitamin D, vitamin K, magnesium, and phosphorous.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which provides scientific advice to assist policy makers, has confirmed that clear health benefits have been established for the dietary intake of calcium in contributing to:
- the maintenance of normal bones and teeth;
- normal muscle function and neurotransmission;
- normal blood clotting;
- normal energy metabolism;
- the normal function of digestive enzymes;
- normal regulation of cell division and differentiation.
Authored by Dr Peter Engel in 2010, reviewed and updated by Dr Igor Bendik-Falconnier on 12.10.17.