Calcium is a mineral needed by the body for a large number of functions. Calcium is used as a building material, as a regulator and as a signaler throughout the body. Calcium is needed in large amounts on a continual basis. Most calcium is consumed from dairy products as well as many types of vegetables. In most countries, foods such as cereal, oatmeal, juices and bread is often fortified with this nutrient as it is very important in children as they grow. Calcium absorption and usage is dependent on adequate amounts of Vitamin D being present int he body, therefore a deficiency of vitamin D will also lead to many symptoms of calcium deficiency. This happens even if the person is consuming enough calcium.
Calcium is mostly known for its important use in building bones and teeth. Calcium is the basic building material of all bones and teeth and almost 99% of all calcium found in the body is located in these two areas. Calcium, along with several other minerals, are used to create a matrix that ends up being the hard bone material we all know. In the absence of calcium or the other minerals, the bones that are formed are weak, brittle and sometimes soft. Children are especially susceptible to low level of calcium since their bones are growing so quickly and the matrix of calcium and other minerals is important as a base for muscles, organs and other tissues. In children, a calcium deficiency results in short bones, especially in the arms and legs, but also can have a great impact on the bones in the ribcage. In adults, a calcium deficiency will lead to brittle bones that break easily. This is especially dangerous in older individuals and results in hip fractures.
Calcium is also used in the body during muscle contraction, that is any time a muscle is shortened. This is most noticeably in the large muscles like in the legs, chest and arms, but even more important for proper health it also includes heart and intestinal muscles which must contract continually throughout our lives. A severe deficiency in calcium usually does not affect internal muscles because the body is very efficient at ‘borrowing’ calcium from bones in order to keep the more important processing working. The body is continuously storing and removing calcium from bones in order to maintain availability for other functions. In some cases of calcium deficiency, cramps can occur, mostly this happens in the large muscles in the legs.
Calcium is also used as a regulator for a large number of systems. Calcium is one of the primary ways the body controls blood pressure. The body is continuously dilating and constricting blood vessels in order to provide optimum blood supply throughout the body. Calcium is used extensively throughout all blood vessels for this function. Calcium is also an important component of many hormones and enzymes, especially those involved with the digestive system.
Calcium is also important in blood clotting and wound closure at many different steps. Similar to the matrix used in bones, scar tissue and the original plug that is used to stop bleeding are composed of, and regulated by calcium.
While calcium absorption into the body is dependent on the presence of Vitamin D, calcium in return is required for the proper absorption of Vitamin B12 and iron and their uses throughout the body.
A deficiency of calcium can lead to diminished effectiveness of all of these systems, although in children it mostly affects bone growth, and in adults it mostly affects bone density. One of the most serious risks in adults of a prolonged deficiency is the development of osteoporosis and scoliosis, which is a curvature in the spine.
Calcium is used throughout the body to perform many functions; sometimes it acts as a regulator and other times it is used simply as a building component. Almost all the calcium in the body is stored in the bones and when the body needs more, it can remove calcium from the bone and use elsewhere. Calcium has a major role in muscle constriction along with regulation of blood pressure and blood supply in the body. Calcium is obtained by many food sources, but mostly from dairy products, vegetables and foods that are fortified with the nutrient.
