Student name:
Professor:
Course:
Date:
Minerals and Trace Elements, Calcium
It’s Functions in The Body
An abundant amount of calcium is found in the body and is crucial for various important functions. The body requires an adequate amount of calcium together with vitamin D and various other components like vitamin K to maintain and develop healthy teeth and bones. Calcium besides plays a crucial function in many systems, including muscle contraction control like the heart, blood clotting, information transmission via the nervous system, and intercellular signaling to enable regulation and integration of metabolic processes. Moreover, it has been said that sufficient calcium intake, such as decreased fat dairy products, may help protect against colon cancer and decrease high blood pressure.
Potential Deficiency
Inadequate calcium in the body may trigger complications. The commonly famous calcium deficiency disease is hypocalcemia, which happens when calcium levels in the blood are low. A deficiency for a long period may cause dental alterations, osteoporosis, changes in the brain, and cataracts, decreasing the bones’ robustness. If the condition of calcium deficiency is not treated, its complications may be life-threatening, and it could lastly lead to death. Low levels of calcium may not have early signs. A person should look for treatment and diagnosis to avoid complications if they encountered symptoms of calcium deficiency.
Potential Toxicity
Although calcium is useful in the body, it has toxic consequences. The common toxicity of vitamin D is a buildup of calcium in the blood, which is referred to as hypercalcemia. This can cause frequent urination, weakness and vomiting, and nausea. The toxicity of vitamin D may progress to kidney problems and bone pain, such as developing calcium stones.
Sources of Calcium
Calcium sources are easily attainable; the calcium sources include green leafy vegetables such as spinach, okra, curly kale, cheese, milk, and various dairy products, anything made with fortified flour, including bread drinks which have calcium added. Besides, other sources include fish where bones are eaten, for instance, pilchards and sardines.
Calcium Requirements
The amount of calcium required in the body depends on the age of a person and sex. For example, men’s calcium daily are; age between 19 – 50 and 51 – 70 years, 1000mg, between 71 and above is 1200mg and for women are; age between 19-50 years is 1000mg and between 51 and above is 1200mg. The recommended higher limit for calcium per day for adults between 19 to 50 years is 2500mg and for the individuals between the age of 51 and above, the higher limit per day is 2000mg
Calcium Mineral
Learning about calcium mineral has instilled knowledge in me on the relative amount of calcium required in the body and why calcium is important for the body’s wellbeing. I learned that calcium is all around us, and 99 percent of calcium is stored in our bones, which is approximately 1kg. It is the most abundant mineral found on the earth’s crust as limestone and is the most abundantly dissolved ion in seawater.
Work Cited
Smith, Anne M., Angela Collene, and Colleen K. Spees. Wardlaw' s Contemporary Nutrition. McGraw-Hill Education, 2018.