It’s a bird. . . It’s a plane. . . NOPE, it’s calcium – the superhero nutrient for strong bones and teeth! And like superheroes who eat and train to keep their powers, kids need to get enough calcium to grow big and strong. Unfortunately, not all kiddos are getting enough calcium from their diet (picky eater much??), and that’s where calcium supplements come in to save the day!
Let’s fly up, up, and away on a mission to learn all about calcium and how your kiddos can grow big and strong.
Calcium Basics
Calcium is a mineral our body needs to build strong bones and teeth. But that’s not this superhero’s only job. Calcium’s also essential to get our bodies movin’ and groovin’, brains powered up, and blood flowing. You can think of calcium as a social butterfly, a mineral who flits from bone, to tooth, to blood vessel. . you get the gist! Calcium loves being involved in many parts of our kiddo’s growing body.
So what happens when we don’t get enough of this guy?
For starters, we don’t have the basics to grow big and strong, obvi. But low levels of calcium can also lead to osteoporosis, a disease that causes weak bones. Now it’s true that osteoporosis is found in older adults, but this lifelong process starts much younger. It starts as kids when our bones are still growing and developing. Which means calcium isn't only crucial in childhood, but sets our kiddos up for a long, healthy life.
Low calcium can also lead to rickets, a disease in children that causes soft bones and leads to bone deformities.
Now that we know what calcium is and why we need it, how do we boost our kiddo’s levels?
If you guessed diet, you’re spot on! A healthy, calcium-rich diet is always first on the list. And unlike some secretive superheroes who hide their true identities, calcium loves the spotlight, and is found in many foods such as:
- Milk, yogurt, and cheese
- Sardines and salmon
- Kale, broccoli, and bok choy
- Fortified foods and beverages
If your little one is a picky eater, lactose-intolerant, or vegan, they may not get enough calcium from diet alone. But never fear, calcium supplements are here to save the day.
Calcium Supplements: Which is Best?
There are many forms of calcium supplements for children, the most common of which is Calcium Carbonate with 40% elemental calcium. But it’s also the cheapest form and often associated with constipation and bloating [1] – not a happy tummy!
Calcium Phosphate is another common form with 39% elemental calcium, and another is Calcium Citrate with 21% elemental calcium.
You can find calcium supplements for kids as chewables, melty tabs, liquid, and unfortunately, sugar-filled gummies.
Calcium & Vitamin D3
Every superhero needs a sidekick, and calcium’s better-half is Vitamin D3. Just like Vitamin C is best paired with Iron, Vitamin D3 helps absorb all that calcium richness into our bones.
Here are a few you can try out to get this dynamic duo to work their magic:
- Broccoli and salmon
- Mushrooms and tuna
- Yogurt fortified with Vitamin D3
- Calcium supplements with Vitamin D3
Now about our favorite calcium dream team. . .
Hercules Calcium for Kids
Renzo’s Vitamins took healthy & strong to a whole new level with Hercules Calcium. These kid-friendly melty tabs are packed with calcium, Vitamin D3, and Vitamin K2 – a terrific trio for building strong bones and teeth. The yummy Grapealicious flavor isn’t just fun to say, but yummy to eat with all its grapey goodness – free from sugar and junk of course (what parents love most!).
Conclusion
Calcium is an important mineral for strong bones, teeth, and a healthy, growing body. It’s found in many foods making it super duper important for our little ones to eat a calcium-rich diet. And for our picky eaters, a yummy calcium supplement for kids is a great way to get all those bone-strengthening benefits. . . without the mealtime battle.
Let’s give it up for our “bone”-a-fide superhero, Calcium!
[1] Li K, Wang XF, Li DY, Chen YC, Zhao LJ, Liu XG, Guo YF, Shen J, Lin X, Deng J, Zhou R, Deng HW. The good, the bad, and the ugly of calcium supplementation: a review of calcium intake on human health. Clin Interv Aging. 2018 Nov 28;13:2443-2452. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S157523. PMID: 30568435; PMCID: PMC6276611.