Calcium
Minerals are required for the normal growth and maintenance of the body. They aid in functions of repair of the daily wear and tear and boost the body’s immune system, thereby enhancing the resistance of the body and its overall capacity to fight diseases. Minerals are divided into two categories— major minerals including calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sulphur and micro minerals such as iron, iodine, copper, manganese, zinc, cobalt and selenium.
Calcium is a major mineral element of the human body. It comprises of 1.5 to 2 per cent of the body weight of an adult. The average human body contains about 1200 g of the mineral of which over 89 per cent is found in the bones. The calcium constituent of blood is approx. 10 mg/dl. A developing fetus requires about 30g of the element. There is an amazing balance between the quantity of the nutrient in the blood and in the skeletal system which is maintained by the interaction of Vitamin D, parathyroid hormone and calcitonin.
Benefits of Calcium:
Ionized calcium found in the plasma plays a vital role in the formation of bones and teeth.
It plays a significant role in the process of coagulation of blood.
It helps in the contraction of muscles.
It enhances cardiac action, strengthens the heart muscles, increases the circulation of oxygen throughout the body and reduces the risk of heart disease.
It increases the production of milk in lactating women.
It plays a significant role in the transmission of electrical and chemical messages that emerge from the cell’s surface membrane to the biochemical machinery within the cell, keeping the membranes of cells intact.
It enhances the process of metabolism of enzymes and hormones in the body.
It plays a vital role in the transformation of light to the electrical impulses in the retina.
Deficiency:
Shortage of calcium may result in hypocalcaemia, osteoporosis, bone deformities, weakening of the gums etc. Hypocalcaemia is accompanied by mild tumors, cranial nerves and decreased urinary secretion of calcium.
Osteoporosis: Major calcium content is in the bones of the human body which is attained by the age of 30. After the age of 40 -45 years, calcium absorption is reduced and excretion is increased resulting in a negative balance of the nutrient in the body. This results in reduced bone strength and an increased risk of fractures. It also shows a decline in the levels of androgens and estrogens. Women are more prone to this disease than men.
Calcium Sources:
They include milk, milk products, cheese, eggs, fish, skimmed milk, spinach, cereals, millets, green leafy vegetables, soy milk, orange juice and yogurt.
Dosage:
The Recommended Daily allowance (RDA) of calcium is 400 to 500 mg per day for adults. The physiological requirements of the mineral are higher in children, pregnant and nursing women.
Absorption:
Approximately, 20 to 30 per cent of dietary calcium is absorbed by the body. The process of absorption is enhanced by Vitamin D and decreased by the presence of phytates, oxalates and fatty acids in the diet. Parathyroid hormone increases the calcium transport from the intestinal cells. Acidity and the amino acids, lysine and arginine are also known to increase the absorption of the mineral.
Side Effects of Calcium:
Taking the nutrient in extremely high doses may lead to headaches, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, fatigue, loss of appetite, irritability, depression etc.
Before taking any mineral supplements it is essential for you to consult a registered medical practitioner in order to determine if the nutrient is required by your body or not. You must also make note of any diseases or ailments you might be suffering from such as high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, depression, kidney problems, gastro intestinal disease, high cholesterol levels etc. before taking any supplementation. You must also consider your present medical condition, if you are allergic to any prescription or over the counter (OTC) drugs or have a family history of any ailments before taking any mineral.
Calcium is a major mineral element of the human body. It comprises of 1.5 to 2 per cent of the body weight of an adult. The average human body contains about 1200 g of the mineral of which over 89 per cent is found in the bones. The calcium constituent of blood is approx. 10 mg/dl. A developing fetus requires about 30g of the element. There is an amazing balance between the quantity of the nutrient in the blood and in the skeletal system which is maintained by the interaction of Vitamin D, parathyroid hormone and calcitonin.
Benefits of Calcium:
Ionized calcium found in the plasma plays a vital role in the formation of bones and teeth.
It plays a significant role in the process of coagulation of blood.
It helps in the contraction of muscles.
It enhances cardiac action, strengthens the heart muscles, increases the circulation of oxygen throughout the body and reduces the risk of heart disease.
It increases the production of milk in lactating women.
It plays a significant role in the transmission of electrical and chemical messages that emerge from the cell’s surface membrane to the biochemical machinery within the cell, keeping the membranes of cells intact.
It enhances the process of metabolism of enzymes and hormones in the body.
It plays a vital role in the transformation of light to the electrical impulses in the retina.
Deficiency:
Shortage of calcium may result in hypocalcaemia, osteoporosis, bone deformities, weakening of the gums etc. Hypocalcaemia is accompanied by mild tumors, cranial nerves and decreased urinary secretion of calcium.
Osteoporosis: Major calcium content is in the bones of the human body which is attained by the age of 30. After the age of 40 -45 years, calcium absorption is reduced and excretion is increased resulting in a negative balance of the nutrient in the body. This results in reduced bone strength and an increased risk of fractures. It also shows a decline in the levels of androgens and estrogens. Women are more prone to this disease than men.
Calcium Sources:
They include milk, milk products, cheese, eggs, fish, skimmed milk, spinach, cereals, millets, green leafy vegetables, soy milk, orange juice and yogurt.
Dosage:
The Recommended Daily allowance (RDA) of calcium is 400 to 500 mg per day for adults. The physiological requirements of the mineral are higher in children, pregnant and nursing women.
Absorption:
Approximately, 20 to 30 per cent of dietary calcium is absorbed by the body. The process of absorption is enhanced by Vitamin D and decreased by the presence of phytates, oxalates and fatty acids in the diet. Parathyroid hormone increases the calcium transport from the intestinal cells. Acidity and the amino acids, lysine and arginine are also known to increase the absorption of the mineral.
Side Effects of Calcium:
Taking the nutrient in extremely high doses may lead to headaches, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, fatigue, loss of appetite, irritability, depression etc.
Before taking any mineral supplements it is essential for you to consult a registered medical practitioner in order to determine if the nutrient is required by your body or not. You must also make note of any diseases or ailments you might be suffering from such as high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, depression, kidney problems, gastro intestinal disease, high cholesterol levels etc. before taking any supplementation. You must also consider your present medical condition, if you are allergic to any prescription or over the counter (OTC) drugs or have a family history of any ailments before taking any mineral.