Natural sources of Calcium??

[tylerdylan]

I have recently become quite lactose intolerant.  I tried Lactaid pills but they gave me severe stomach pains which were way worse than the cramps from the dairy.  So, for the past few months I have basically avoided dairy.  Now my finger nails are really brittle - cracking and chipping - I assume this is from a lack of calcium.  I tried Calcium pills but they too gave me really bad stomach pains. 

So - I guess I am stuck with natural sources of calcium which will be a challenge I'm sure since I don't like raw vegetables.

[sunnysandiegan]

I just read about nettles infusions....calcium in there. Check out the thread. I bumped it with my own questions a few minutes ago.

[tanyalynn]

We use various combinations of:

--homemade stock (simmer the bones a long time, the minerals leach out)

--cell salts (should've put this first, they are SO cool, check out the thread)

--nettles infusions

--some green veggies have a lot, baby bok choy is mild and easy to get all year if you have an Asian market around, or a well-stocked mainstream market (I think the minerals are more absorbable when they're cooked--at least it's debateable, and I cook ours)

--small fish, the kind that you can eat the bones--canned salmon and sardines are the ones I've chosen for us

And depending on what type of mineral supp you chose, you may want to play around with brands--there's a lot of difference in forms of calcium and fillers and how absorbable they are.  We use a combination of Thorne (available lots of places online, competitive pricing, you can search their main website for the multi-mineral supps they have) and Perque (available many fewer places, vitalbee.com is the only I know). 

[hippiemom]

Protein intake and vitamins A and & D affect your nails moreso than calcium..  Still, I understand your wanting to get it in your diet despite not eating dairy.

Soy, Rice, and Almond milks are fortified much the way cow's milk is.  Sesame seeds, leafy greens, and non-dairy yogurts are also good sources.  

[tylerdylan]

Originally Posted by hippiemom 

Protein intake and vitamins A and & D affect your nails moreso than calcium..  Still, I understand your wanting to get it in your diet despite not eating dairy.

Soy, Rice, and Almond milks are fortified much the way cow's milk is.  Sesame seeds, leafy greens, and non-dairy yogurts are also good sources.  

Thank you!  I just assumed it was the calcium (my mom has severe osteoporosis) and never even considered a separate deficiency.  The Vit D is a good possibility since it is winter here and I hate the cold so don't really go out much.  And Vit A I have no idea.  I will look into boosting these all in my diet.