Facts about Calcium

The word 'calcium' is derived from the Latin word calcis meaning lime. The use of calcium dates back to the first century, when the Ancient Romans used it to prepare lime and calcium oxide. It was also used as plaster of Paris to set broken bones. In 1808, Sir Humphry Davy and Jöns Jakob Berzelius, first isolated the element.

Calcium as the element is a silvery gray, hard metal. It's not metallic in nature, but is found in various minerals such as limestone, gypsum and fluorite. It's the fifth most abundant element found in the earth's crust and also as dissolved ion in seawater. The chemical symbol for calcium is Ca and atomic number 20.

Industrial Uses of Calcium

• Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) is the basis of the cement, glass and steel industry.
• Calcium hydroxide solution (Ca(OH)₂); also known as lime water, is used to detect the presence of carbon dioxide in water.
• Calcium arsenate (Ca₃(AsO₄)₂) is used in insecticides.
• Calcium chloride (CaCl₂) is used as a conditioner in concrete, an additive in canned tomatoes and to provide body for automobile tires.
• Calcium gluconate (Ca(C₆H₁₁O₇)₂) is used as a food additive and in vitamin pills.
• Calcium hypochlorite (Ca(ClO)₂) is used as a swimming pool disinfectant, a bleaching agent and an ingredient in deodorants.
• Calcium phosphate (Ca₃(PO₄)₂) is used as a fertilizer, as a supplement in animal feed, in commercial production for dough and yeast products and in dental products.
• Calcium phosphide (Ca₃P₂) is used in fireworks, torpedoes and flares.
• Calcium sulfate (CaSO₄·2H₂O) is used as common blackboard chalk, as well as plaster of Paris.
• Hydroxyapatite (Ca₅(PO₄)₃(OH)), makes up seventy percent of the bone mass. Also carbonated-calcium deficient hydroxyapatite is the main mineral of which dental enamel and dentin are comprised.

Nutritional Value of Calcium

Total body health can't be maintained without adequate intake of calcium. Besides strong teeth and bones, calcium is essential to ensure proper functioning of nerves and muscles. Calcium deficiencies are usually due to an inadequate intake of calcium. When blood calcium levels drop low, it's borrowed from the bones. And when our diet does not supplement this loss, it leads to unhealthy and weak bones, and thinning of bones leads to osteoporosis.

How Much Calcium Do We Need?

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has recommended, calcium intake for adults in the age group of 19-50 years, is 1,000 mg per day. While, for people in the age group of 50-70 years, it's 1,200 mg a day. However, the intake levels can vary depending not only on the age but also gender and the overall health of an individual. It's best to adhere to your doctor's advice.

Nutritional Uses of Calcium

The National Osteoporosis Foundation says, "Calcium plays an important role in building stronger, denser bones early in life and keeping bones strong and healthy later in life." Besides keeping the bones and teeth strong, it's important for the nerve and muscle functions. Calcium deficiency leads to rickets and poor blood clotting. In menopausal women, it causes osteoporosis; thereby increasing the risk of bone fractures. It also lowers the risk of developing kidney stones. While ensuring lesser levels of deficiency, it's important to understand the role of over retention of calcium. It causes hypercalcemia, hindering the absorption of iron, zinc and magnesium. A nutritious diet should include vitamin D, as it's required to absorb calcium.

Dietary Sources of Calcium

Dairy products such as milk, yogurt, tofu and cheese are well-known sources of calcium. Seafood, leafy green vegetables, fruits, soy bean products, sprouts, pulses and nuts are also excellent sources of calcium.

Calcium is important for the proper functioning of our body. It can be easily sourced from natural resources as well as calcium-rich nutritional supplements.