For many of us, when we think of calcium, our minds go to the classic “Got Milk?” advertisements, but we can get a surprising amount from many of the vegetables that are growing in our gardens.

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Want to learn more about plant-based sources of this essential nutrient? Here’s what we’ll cover:

What Is Calcium?

Calcium is an essential mineral that we need to include in our diets every day. Of all of the minerals found in the body, calcium is the most abundant.

In the food that we eat, it comes mainly from dairy products and leafy greens.

Many processed food products – including soy milk and some types of flour – are fortified with calcium, making those good dietary choices as well.

In order for our bodies to be able to absorb and use the calcium we eat, vitamin D is also required. We get this vitamin from the sun, as well as foods like salmon, egg yolks, and mushrooms.

How It Works in the Body

What role does calcium play in the body? Let’s take a look!

Most of the calcium in our bodies is stored in our bones and teeth, and it provides structure and stability.

When the supply of available calcium in our blood serum is low, the body pulls from these stores in our bones to maintain healthy levels in the blood serum.

Our bones are constantly remodeled by losing calcium stores and then building them back up. As we age, the breakdown of calcium can exceed what is rebuilt, leading to health conditions like osteoporosis.

In our blood serum, calcium supports vein contraction and dilation, muscle contraction (including the beating of the

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