Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body. Of the body’s total calcium, about 99% is in the bones and teeth where it plays a structural role. The remaining 1% is present in body tissues and fluids where it is essential for cell metabolism, muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmission.

The main function of calcium is structural. There is continuous movement of calcium between the skeleton and blood and other parts of the body. This is finely controlled by hormones. Metabolites of Vitamin D are important in this, increasing reabsorption of calcium by bones.

Some research has indicated vegetarian women are at less risk of osteoporosis than omnivorous women. This is thought to be due to animal protein increasing calcium loss from bones. However, other research has found no difference between vegetarians and omnivores. The risk of osteoporosis may be altered by factors other than diet. Lack of exercise, being underweight, smoking and alcohol can all increase the risk.

Calcium is present in a wide range of foods. Dairy products, leafy green vegetables, nuts and seeds (almonds, brazils, sesame seeds), tofu, and dried fruit are all good sources of calcium for vegetarians. Most flour is fortified with calcium carbonate so cereals can also be a good source. Hard water may also provide calcium. Meat is a very poor source of calcium.

So be attentive, do not loose the “such useful calcium”.

From “Vegetarian Society”

Eating out can be a treat for lots of families. Kids with type 1 or type 2 diabetes don’t have to give up that treat — they just have to take some extra precautions and be sure to choose nutritious foods in reasonable portions. Whether your child craves Mexican, Asian, or country-style cuisine, his or her tastes can be accommodated.

When you’re choosing a restaurant, take into consideration what your child wants to eat and consider the places that offer the most options for your child. You don’t have to find a place that serves “health food” — just the mix of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates that work with your child’s meal plan. Try keeping track of the places that make meal choices easy or that your child enjoys most.

Ask the owner or manager to start offering some healthier foods like salads and lean protein — chances are, you’re not the only one who wants them. A chef may also be willing to make a special meal to accommodate your child’s needs. Many restaurants are used to doing this for people with other dietary restrictions, like vegetarians or people with food allergies.

Remind your child that the same tips apply to “eating out” at the school cafeteria or a friend’s house. If your child becomes upset or sad because he or she can’t eat something truly unhealthy on the menu, explain that all healthy people have to watch what they eat — including you — so kids with diabetes certainly aren’t alone.

From KidsHealth.org

£170 TURKEY WITH EXTRA STUFFING

Instead of mixing up a packet of sage and onion, butcher Geoff Riley is inviting his customers in Rossendale to try a turkey stuffed with no less than six other birds!

He is selling the 30lb Christmas special which consists of a turkey stuffed with a goose, a duck, a chicken, a guinea fowl, a pheasant and a wood pigeon.

The COMMUNITY UNETED METHODIST CHURCH will offer a free Christmas Day dinner following its 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday.

The dinner will be provided by volunteers from the church. “They will come in that morning and prepare a traditional Christmas meal,” she said.

The dinner is for anyone wanting a hot meal and for those who might be alone at Christmas and just want to spend time with the fellowship.

MOSUL, IRAQ (Reuters) — U. S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld wrapped up his visit to Iraq at a Christmas eve dinner with American troops in Mosul, the country’s second largest city and one of its most volatile.

Escorted by Apache helicopters to the U.S. regional headquarters in Mosul, Rumsfeld lent a hand serving troops a dinner of lobster tails and steak.

IN NORWICH, JAMAICA, they will be eating breadfruit instead of Christmas pudding and in America Norwich households will sit down to pork or beef instead of turkey.

On the occasion of its 135th anniversary, Ivanhoe Cheese Inc. is pleased to announce Ivanhoe Medium Cheddar Cheese has captured the Grand Champion Award at the prestigious British Empire Cheese Competition held in Belleville on December 1, 2005.

This achievement is the direct result of the Ivanhoe entry receiving the highest score of any of the numerous and various maturities of cheddar cheese which competed in this year’s event.

The British Empire Cheese Competition was established in 1928 by the Central Ontario Cheesemakers Association to recognize both excellence and innovation on the part of cheese manufacturers located here and abroad.

As Canada’s oldest independent cheese company, and a recipient of many national and international awards, Ivanhoe Cheese Inc. is both pleased and proud to receive this further recognition of its ability to achieve the highest standards possible for the many products it manufactures at its modern facility located in the hamlet of Ivanhoe in east central Ontario.

Beginning with the time-honoured and award-winning cheese-making tradition which started in 1870, Ivanhoe has created its Classic Medium Cheddar Cheese to meet the most discriminating palate particularly those looking for a somewhat mature and well-rounded cheddar flavour remindful of the cheese once only available directly from the factory outlet. Now, in stock at most local food stores, Ivanhoe Classic Medium Cheddar Cheese is great for snacking on its own, in your favourite sandwiches, to top off a great hamburger, or in any of your prized recipes calling for great cheddar cheese.

From ivanhoecheese.com

After the investigations that proved the salmon improve functioning of the heart, there appeared the data that eating this fish leads to cancer.

Investigators advise to check the origin of the fish you eat. They say that the toxin level in salmon may be more than norm.

The reason is that on fish farms they feed salmon with local fish with dirt mineral oil additions. Some farms changed to vegetable oil additions, but it has negative influence to fish health.

The dirtying level depends of the region. The highest toxin level is in the fish from Europe and the lowest is in the fish from the South Africa.

Salmon is reach with fatty acids, it raises the “good” cholesterol level (HDL). Medicals advise to eat fat fish at least twice a week. So, in spite of the risk, the advantage of eating salmon is very considerable.

Scientists say that they do not appeal to refuse eating salmon, but they ask for being more attentive with it.