A - Z of Vitamins & Supplements

Calcium: Sources of Calcium include: Milk, Cheese and other dairy products, Broccoli, Cabbage and Okra, Soya Beans, Tofu and Nuts. Calcium has several important functions, these include: helping build strong bones and teeth, regulating muscle contractions including heartbeats, and making sure blood clots normally.

A lack of calcium could lead to a condition called rickets in children and osteomalacia or osteoporosis in later life. You should be able to get all the calcium you need from your daily diet. Taking high doses of calcium (more than 1,500mg a day) could lead to stomach pain and diarrhoea.

Research: Magnesium

Calcium and Magnesium - Vitamins for Allergies: Calcium and magnesium are important nutrients for the allergy sufferer. They help to relax an over reactive nervous system. While symptoms are acute, take a supplement containing 750-1,000 milligrams of calcium and 500 milligrams of magnesium twice a day. Then take the same dosage once a day for two months.

Calcium and Magnesium - Vitamins for Headaches: Calcium supplements help to improve blood flow and alleviate pain by relaxing the muscles. You may take calcium, magnesium and zinc supplements (100 milligrams once daily) as these are more effective in treating headaches.

• Allergies
• Headaches