Calcium: A Dietary Necessity

Calcium is the most abundant mineral found in the human body. A hefty performer, calcium is responsible for a long list of both structural and functional duties. The role calcium plays with regard to human health and wellness cannot be over estimated. One can assert that calcium is the top macro mineral responsible for a healthy body balance.

Calcium is the principal constituent or building block of bone tissue. In addition to constructing the skeletal system, calcium is also found distributed in the soft
tissues of the body. Calcium is essential for several important functions of the human body that range from hormonal activities to enzymatic activities and neuromuscular activities. Calcium assists the body in producing lymphatic fluids. Calcium also enables muscle contractions and blood clotting while helping to maintain the integrity of the cell membrane.

Calcium is crucial to building strong bones and healthy teeth. The body cannot manufacture calcium by itself. Therefore, the regular intake of calcium via the daily diet is required in order to compensate and replace the amounts of calcium lost during regular metabolic activities. Long-term calcium deficiency results in osteoporosis, a condition that refers to the degeneration or deterioration of bones, thereby increasing the risk of fractures. Calcium transport systems in the cell membranes are engaged in coordinating the osmolarity and the peripheral vascular resistance of the cells. In addition, calcium governs the transport of various nutrients and other substances across the cell membrane. One of the most important roles of calcium is the binding of intrinsic factor to ilea receptors, thus enabling the absorption of vitamin B12. Calcium is required to transform the light into electrical impulses in the retina and therefore an important mineral for vision.

For feeding mothers, calcium is necessary for milk production. Mothers require an adequate supply of calcium during pregnancy and through the nursing period. Similarly, children and young people depend on an adequate supply of calcium in order to meet the rapid growth of bones. If calcium deficiency is suspected, vitamin supplements containing calcium may help.

Some of the notable calcium deficiency diseases in the body are osteoporosis, arthritis and high blood pressure. Bones store high levels of calcium which can
be used to maintain adequate levels of calcium in the blood. Therefore, any short-term dietary deficiency of calcium does not lead to the lowering of blood
calcium levels immediately. However, long-term dietary deficiency of this mineral can deplete bone stores and render the bones brittle and fracture prone. Some of the popularly known calcium deficiency symptoms in children are knock-knees, pigeon breast, cramping pains in legs and delays in crawling, sitting or walking in babies. Across the board, calcium deficiency also leads to irregular heart, irritable nerves, insomnia and weakness in bones.

A significant change in dietary habits has necessitated the need for liquid nutritional supplements. Liquid vitamins can prove most beneficial by augmenting the nutritional needs of the body in order to help combat the inadequate levels of minerals in our processed food environment. Due to the importance of calcium for the normal health and function of the body, its intake is highly recommended for all age groups.