Cookie Juice and Calcium

Hey! Milk lovers everywhere! I missed something terribly important this past Monday, January 11th…

I missed National Milk Day.  

Let’s see what a couple of well-known people have to say about milk:

“The two basic items necessary to sustain life are sunshine and milk.” –Dustin Hoffman

“Me want a soft baked cookie, and a glass of cookie juice on the side…” –Cookie Monster

Like most things, milk has gone in and out of favor with the nutrition world. But one milk fact has remained constant; Milk has remained on the list of good sources of calcium.

When we think calcium, most of us think of bone strength and structure. Calcium is the major mineral component of bone. But calcium does so much more! Let’s explore:

  • Cell membrane function: Each of the millions of cells in your body have a membrane, or an outer covering, that controls what substances can and cannot enter the cells. Calcium contributes to proper function of that mechanism.
  • Nerve impulses: Calcium is critical for the normal transmission of nerve impulses. Without enough calcium, the ability for the nerves to transmit impulses “short-circuits”, and the ability to transmit messages is inhibited.
  • Muscle contractions: The mineral calcium assists in normal muscle contractions. Not enough calcium can cause spasms and twitching, whereas too much can lead to an extreme stiffening of the muscles. And hey-the heart is a muscle! Calcium deficiencies can actually lead to heart failure!
  • Blood clotting: This is a complicated mechanism to understand. But when we need our blood to clot, calcium is involved. Not enough calcium inhibits clotting and causes bleeding issues in our bodies.

With all the preferences, allergies, and intolerances to dairy out there, thank goodness that calcium can easily be consumed from other sources. Those green leafy veggies like kale and collard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, green cabbage, and brussels sprouts have loads of calcium in them.  There are also SO many foods that are now calcium fortified, like orange juice and soymilk, or other milk substitutes. You get calcium! I get calcium! We all get calcium!

So, to all who celebrated National Milk Day, I say to you…

Moo.

And be well!

 

 

 

 


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