CHAPTER 02 | The Building Blocks of Nutrition Table 2.16 Calcium in Selected Foods CALCIUM
FOOD Milk
Almond, unsweetened Soy
Cheese Cheddar
Cottage cheese, low-fat
Yogurt Low-Fat
Greek yogurt, plain, low-fat Frozen
Fish Sardines with bones
Nuts and Seeds Almonds
Sesame seeds Chia seeds
Miscellaneous
Tofu, prepared with calcium sulfate
Black beans, canned 1/2 cup 1 cup Source: Cleveland Clinic, 2022c; Calorie King, 2019
unlike some vitamins, minerals are not easily destroyed in storage or preparation. Like vitamins from dietary supplements, minerals from dietary supplements can be toxic when consumed in excessive amounts.
Calcium
Calcium, along with phosphorus, is used for building bones and teeth and are the most abundant minerals in the body (Farag et al., 2023). Together, they give rigidity to the structures. Bone is being constantly rebuilt, with new bone being formed and old bone being taken apart, every day. Almost all of the carbohydrate, fat, and protein in the diet is absorbed into the body efficiently, but the percentage of mineral absorption varies greatly.
Only 5-10 percent of dietary iron is normally absorbed (NIH, 2022c); above 30 percent of calcium is absorbed. This may vary based on source, dose, presence of vitamin C and phytates, age, and health status (NIH, 2022c).
Nutrition Fundamentals and Medical Nutrition Therapy 434 239 PORTION