What is calcium ?

Calcium is one of most common chemical elements abundantly found in the earth’s crust. It is a soft alkaline that takes a variety of forms. Calcium is primarily found in pearls, ivory, chalk and bones.  Calcium is also the crucial mineral within the human body. A major share of about ninety nine percentage of calcium in the human body is deposited in the bones and teeth. Blood plasma and other body fluids also have calcium in them. Though the calcium stored in the human bones is copious; it is the responsibility of the humans to sustain it at every stage of life as calcium plays a key role in protecting the immune system of the body.  

Milk and other dairy products like cheese, butter, yoghurt, etc are rich food sources for calcium.  In addition to the dairy food, beans, tofu, meat, fish, poultry, oats, nuts and seeds, sardines, sea weeds, sesame seeds, soy beverages, rice beverages, orange juice, figs, fruits, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, cucumber and other vegetables are other food sources containing calcium. The intake of calcium is recommended to be between 1000 to 1500 milligrams a day.

Absorption of calcium, however, decreases with too much intake of calcium supplements. Therefore, a thorough stability has to be maintained to balance the calcium supplement and calcium absorption. The ingestion of Vitamin D along with calcium supplements helps in better calcium absorption. Milk is an excellent supplement of calcium and it is also easily absorbed into the bones and other essential parts of the human body. Calcium carbonate, coral calcium, calcium phosphate, calcium citrate, calcium lactate, calcium chelates, calcium caseinate, calcium gluconate etc are other forms of calcium that supplement the calcium intake. Calcium also helps in the absorption of vitamin B12.

 Calcium primarily safeguards the health of the bones, teeth, circulatory system, cardiovascular function and muscle retention. It also helps in the activation of enzymes. The diverse functions of calcium affect the human body in a lot of ways. First and foremost, it keeps the human bones healthy and strong and avoids bone fractures. Calcium helps in recovering lower blood pressure and prevents osteoporosis and colon cancer. It also helps in maintaining complete growth and development of the body. The functioning of thyroid and parathyroid glands, the action of the number of hormones is controlling by calcium. Calcium is also essential in cell structure and metabolising iron. For some, it also heals muscle cramps.

Although calcium is very vital in the proper functioning of the human organs, its deficiency in the body is quite common. The calcium deficiency may occur in those who are suffering from thyroid or parathyroid problem.  This mostly occurs due to the imbalance in the calcium-phosphorous level, where phosphorous level rise. In severe cases of calcium deficiency, the bones and teeth become very weak and fragile. One more frequent, but less severe symptom of calcium deficiency is persistent cramping in the muscles.