CAFFEINE AND CALCIUM
Calcium is an important part of nutritional health
and is particularly important for the
development and maintenance of strong and healthy bones. Caffeine increases the excretion of calcium,
and thereby lowers calcium levels in
the body. This is not a huge effect, but it is worth keeping in mind—particularly for women. There have also been
some studies suggesting that caffeine
may reduce the absorption of calcium, and thus limit the beneficial effects of calcium that is consumed
in the diet or in supplements.
Although there are still some questions about this possible effect, some nutritionists recommend that calcium be taken
before consuming caffeine to diminish
the possible effects of caffeine on calcium absorption.
TREATMENT
OF HEADACHES
Caffeine causes constriction of blood vessels, and
this is likely the reason that it can be an effective treatment
for migraine headaches, especially if it is taken at the first sign of the headache. In
general, it is easier to head off
growing pain than to remove pain once it is strong, so a cup of strong coffee at
the first sign of a migraine can help stop the problem before it really gets started. Caffeine also increases the
effectiveness of medications used to
treat migraines, if taken at the first sign of the headache. Caffeine has even been touted as an effective treatment for
nonmigraine headaches in some
individuals, so it is easy to see why some over-the-counter pain relievers (such as Anacin, Excedrin, and Goody's
Powders) contain caffeine. However,
its effectiveness in this regard really hasn't been proven.
