Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and makes up 1.9% of the body by weight. Nearly all (99%) of this is in the skeleton. The remainder is in the teeth (0.6%), the soft tissues (0.6%), the plasma (0.03%) and the extracellular fluid (0.06%).
The blood Ca is in two distinct forms, a part is bound with protein and is non diffusible while the diffusible moiety is found as undissociated phosphates and carbonates and as ionic calcium.
Calcium is a very potent mineral, fulfilling different tasks in our bodies. The most important of its functions relate to: mineralization of the bone tissue (bones and teeth), maintaining the cardiac rhythm, coagulating the blood, regulating the acid-basic equilibrium.
The body also needs calcium for muscles to move and for nerves to carry messages between the brain and every body part. In addition, calcium is used to help blood vessels move blood throughout the body and to help release hormones and enzymes that affect almost every function in the human body.
Daily body requirement is about 450 mg. The adult requirements of Ca vary. During pregnancy and lactation, there is greater depletion of Ca from the mother and the intake needs to be increased. On an average, 10 mg per Kg of body weight per day should be sufficient.
Calcium intake is very beneficial for patients that suffer from acute or chronic convulsions, osteoporosis, concentration disorders, headaches, allergies etc.
Inadequate intake, poor calcium absorption and excessive calcium losses contribute to reduced mineralization of bone. For example, in rickets and osteomalacia, vitamin D deficiency causes poor absorption of calcium and reduced mineralization of bone resulting in soft, pliable bones that deform easily. A reduction in absorbed calcium causes serum ionized calcium concentration to decline.
Calcium must be ingested daily and absorbed effectively in order to maintain optimal health. Most people can get enough calcium by eating a variety of foods rich in calcium. Foods that naturally contain calcium include milk and other dairy products; green, leafy vegetables; seafood, nuts, and dried beans.
Calcium in adult body
