Sources
Where do we get Calcium?
Calcium can come from dietary sources or supplements. Dietary sources for calcium include dairy products, sardines, clams, oysters, turnip greens and mustard greens. Calcium supplements are available under a variety of names and dosage forms, and it is important to understand that not all are the same. The labeling may be confusing since calcium is manufactured in a differing salt formulations and a conversion to elemental calcium content is needed to determine the actual amount of calcium available for absorption. The salts are used as carriers to facilitate calcium entry into the body. The most common types of oral dietary calcium supplements are calcium carbonate, calcium citrate, and calcium gluconate; however, other salt formulations are available. The absorption of calcium supplements vary based on several things including type of calcium salt, dosage, and stomach acidity. Additionally, intake of vitamin D is a key factor in the absorption of calcium. Methods to improve calcium absorption include taking it with food and dividing the total dose into several administrations throughout the day. There are many medications that can interfere with absorption of calcium and separating calcium intake from intake of these medications can be beneficial; consult your pharmacist for recommendations.
As a result of calcium’s importance to the body’s daily and overall functions, calcium’s benefits are evident in both the prevention and treatment of several disease states: most notably osteoporosis and premenstrual disorder (PMS).
There is more calcium than any other mineral in a child's body. An adult's body contains roughly 2%, or 2 pounds, of its total body weight in calcium. By far, the vast majority of the mineral (99%) is found in bones and teeth, with the remaining 1% (about two-thirds of a tablespoon) in soft tissues and body fluids serving other functions not related to bone structure. The body continually adjusts the amount of calcium in the blood in order to keep it at an exact level.
The calcium ion is the most sensitive chemical regulator of human cellular activity known. Even the slightest difference in the concentration of calcium can influence body cells and organs, causing a skipped heart beat, muscles to tighten muscle cramps, leg cramps, lower back pain, stiff neck, restless legs, insomnia, nervousness, just to name a few.
This internal regulator plays one of the most important functions in our body.
If the calcium levels in the blood fall below the 1%, hundreds of functions in our body can be affected. Thus, we experience many side effects that may be visibly known or unknown.
If the body is trying to adjust itself to get back up to the 1%, it is looking for calcium either from food sources or supplementation. If neither of these is available, it steals it from our bones leading to our risks of bone loss.
It is extremely important to understand how this internal regulator works. Once you understand it, it will help you understand why your body suffers from many of the side effects associated with low levels of calcium.
In order for calcium to be a wonder mineral controlling bodily functions, other factors must be present, including a great many nutrients that interact with this mineral, affecting its absorption as well as its losses in the urine.
For example, the cardiovascular system relies heavily on calcium and magnesium. Without Vitamin D, calcium cannot be absorbed at all. However, an over supplementation of Vitamin D is more likely to cause high blood calcium than a high intake of calcium alone. Boron plays a role in preventing calcium loss and may help increase the levels of natural estrogen, which, in turn, helps to conserve calcium. Plant estrogens, such as those found in soy products, are the current center of attention in that area. In order for calcium to be transported to bone marrow, it needs to be in balance with phosphorus. When there is not a balance, the bone marrow becomes starved for calcium, and osteoporosis develops.
Calcium is required for heart muscle contraction and in regulating the heart beat. It also assists in the utilization of iron, helping it pass through cell walls, thereby providing strength and energy. In children, it helps to alleviate the muscle and bone pain commonly referred to as "growing pains." Calcium quickens the reflexes by aiding the nervous system in impulse transmission and helps to alleviate insomnia. It is also an important mineral in blood coagulation and for the activation of numerous enzymes.
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