Spinach is an excellent source of calcium, however the binding factors in the plant prevent much of its absorption. Our bodies can’t absorb more than 500 mg of calcium at any one time. This means as the amount of the calcium in a single meal or supplement goes up, the fraction or amount we absorb goes down. With this in mind, it is important to consume calcium rich foods throughout the day, rather relying on a high dose supplement.
Check out the chart below:
| Food | Serving Size | Calcium per serving | Absorption Rate | Estimated Amt of Calcium Absorbed |
| Plain yogurt, skim milk | 8 fl. Oz | 488mg | 32% | 156mg |
| 2% Milk | 1 cup | 314mg | 32% | 100mg |
| Skim Milk | 1 cup | 306mg | 32% | 98mg |
| Kale, cooked | 1 cup | 179mg | 59% | 106mg |
| Broccoli, chopped, cooked | 1 cup | 61mg | 61% | 37mg |
| Spinach | 1 cup | 291mg | 5% | 14mg |
Adults 19-50 (men and women) the AI is 1,ooo mg per day and for men and women 50+ the AI is 1,200 mg per day.
Deficiency symptoms/related diseases:
- osteoporosis
- bone fractures
- convulsions
- muscle spasms
- heart failure
- bleeder’s disease
