Most of us are aware that calcium builds bones and teeth, but are calcium supplements important? This health guide will tell you if you’re consuming enough calcium so you’ll know if you need a supplement or not.

Why do you need calcium? Calcium is essential for building healthy bones, teeth, and proper heart and muscle function. You need calcium every day because your body leaches calcium from your teeth and bones to meet your body’s needs, and then restores the calcium reserve (your bones and teeth) with the calcium you’ve consumed that day. If you don’t take in as much calcium as your body needs each day, your bones and teeth are weakened. This is why you should keep an eye on how much calcium you get each day.

What should you do to get enough calcium? Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, ice milk), salmon, sardines, and shrimp are all excellent sources of calcium. There is a lot of calcium available in leafy greens and soybean products, but some people are wary of these two sources because of the presence of oxalate, which might drain calcium from the body.