Calcium

Calcium
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At a Glance

Calcium is the most common mineral in the human body. Calcium is known for its importance to bone and teeth health, but it has other important jobs, too: for example, it regulates nerve impulse transmissions, muscle contractions, and hormone secretions. Calcium-rich foods include beans, broccoli and other green vegetables, as well as almonds and dairy products.

Overview

Calcium is the most common mineral in the human body. Parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, vitamin D, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts all help to maintain calcium levels in the body.

Importance

Calcium has many functions in the body including:

  • Regulating nerve impulse transmissions
  • Regulating muscle contractions
  • Regulating hormone secretions
  • Forming teeth and bone
  • Acting as a cofactor for enzymes.

Food Sources

Calcium can be found in several foods including:

Deficiencies

Common symptoms and resulting conditions of calcium deficiency include:

  • Low bone mineral density
  • Rickets
  • Osteomalacia
  • Osteoporosis
  • Perioral numbness
  • Tetany.

However, your individual response could be different. If you suspect a health problem or deficiency in certain nutrients, please see your primary health care provider (doctor, naturopath, etc). They can help unravel the complexity of your physiology.

Excess/Toxicity

Common symptoms of calcium excess/toxicity include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Dry mouth
  • Thirst
  • Increased urination
  • Kidney stones
  • Soft tissue calcification.

However, your individual response could be different. If you suspect a health problem or an excess of certain nutrients, please see your primary health care provider (doctor, naturopath, etc). They can help unravel the complexity of your physiology.

Recipe

For recipes rich in calcium, check out any of the Encyclopedia of Food entries for food items listed above.

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At a Glance

Calcium is the most common mineral in the human body. Calcium is known for its importance to bone and teeth health, but it has other important jobs, too: for example, it regulates nerve impulse transmissions, muscle contractions, and hormone secretions. Calcium-rich foods include beans, broccoli and other green vegetables, as well as almonds and dairy products.