Calcium health

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. An average man contains about one and a half kilograms of calcium and an average woman about one kilogram. Over 99 per cent of the calcium in your body is in bones and teeth. The remaining one per cent is found in the blood, lymph and other body fluids, cell membranes and structures inside cells.

Benefits

Bones and teeth

The main function of calcium is in the structural development and maintenance of healthy bones and teeth. Bone is made up of both mineral (mostly hydroxyapatite-like crystals) and nonmineral (mostly protein) components. Calcium in the bone is in two forms, one bound tightly and the other more easily removed. Calcium is removed from the tightly bound part of the bone to maintain blood levels only when dietary intake is inadequate and the more mobile stores are exhausted. Bone undergoes a constant remodeling process with 20 per cent of an adult's bone calcium re-absorbed and replaced every year.

Muscle contraction

Calcium plays a vital role in muscle contraction. It is also necessary for heartbeat regulation through its effects on heart muscle.

Nervous system

Calcium is essential for nerve impulse conduction. It plays a role in the release of neurotransmitters and activates some enzymes which generate neurotransmitters.

Cardiovascular system and blood

Calcium interacts with sodium, potassium and magnesium to regulate blood pressure and water balance. A major class of drugs used to lower high blood pressure blocks the channels which transport calcium across muscle cell membranes. Calcium also plays a role in the activation of prothrombin (which is formed from vitamin K in the liver) which is essential to the blood clotting process.

Other functions

Calcium is essential for cell division, healthy immune function, for enzyme activity
and for the production and activity of hormones involved in digestion, energy
and fat metabolism, and the production of saliva. It is also involved in the transport
of nutrients and other substances across cell membranes.

Calcium
Calcium health
Calcium absorption
Calcium deficiency
Calcium sources
Calcium recommended daily
Calcium supplements
Calcium overdose
Calcium supplement
Calcium interactions

Other Minerals:

Boron
Calcium
Chromium
Cobalt
Copper
Electrolytes
Potassium
Sodium
Chloride
Fluoride
Iodine
Magnesium
Manganese
Molybdenum
Nickel
Phosphorus
Selenium
Silicon
Sulfur
Vanadium
Zinc