Calcium: uses, benefits, side effects
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Calcium is a mineral present in large quantities in our body.
MECHANISM OF ACTION
Calcium is absorbed in the first part of the intestine. Calcium levels are regulated by several signalling molecules, including parathyroid hormone (PTH), vitamin D and calcitonin. Calcium is essential for many physiological functions. Calcium is an important component of the bone matrix and of teeth. In addition, various calcium channels are involved in the constriction and relaxation of blood vessels, muscle contraction, nerve action potentials and cardiac electrophysiology. Calcium ions are also an important component of the blood clotting pathways
CALCIUM SUPPLEMENT
Potential indications for calcium supplementation include osteoporosis, osteomalacia, hypocalcaemic rickets, hypoparathyroidism and hypocalcaemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD).
The most common reason for taking a calcium supplement is to prevent or slow the progression of osteoporosis.
Regulation of energy metabolism: high-calcium diets reduce the accumulation of fat in adipocytes and weight gain on high-energy diets, increasing lipolysis and preserving thermogenesis during calorie restriction, thus supporting weight loss.
ADMINISTRATION
Calcium carbonate depends on the acidic environment of the stomach for adequate absorption and should be taken with food. NRV 800 mg/day, max 1200 mg
Excessive calcium intake (>2000 mg or more) can cause gastrointestinal effects (e.g. constipation, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting).
CALCIUM AND SPORT
Physical exercise can increase calcium losses. For example, Dressendorfer and colleagues examined the effects of 10 weeks of intense endurance training, including volume, interval and taper phases, on serum and urinary mineral levels. They found that urinary calcium increased and serum calcium fell below the clinical norm after the high-intensity training phase, but these changes were reversed after the recovery phase. Therefore, it appears that calcium excretion may be increased by high-intensity training. Inadequate calcium intake and increased calcium losses can predispose to osteoporosis. This may be particularly true in women who develop the female athlete triad (eating disorders, amenorrhoea, osteoporosis).
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Contraindications include kidney failure or chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a history of calcium-containing kidney stones.
Want to try a calcium supplement?
MECHANISM OF ACTION
Calcium is absorbed in the first part of the intestine. Calcium levels are regulated by several signalling molecules, including parathyroid hormone (PTH), vitamin D and calcitonin. Calcium is essential for many physiological functions. Calcium is an important component of the bone matrix and of teeth. In addition, various calcium channels are involved in the constriction and relaxation of blood vessels, muscle contraction, nerve action potentials and cardiac electrophysiology. Calcium ions are also an important component of the blood clotting pathways
CALCIUM SUPPLEMENT
Potential indications for calcium supplementation include osteoporosis, osteomalacia, hypocalcaemic rickets, hypoparathyroidism and hypocalcaemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD).
The most common reason for taking a calcium supplement is to prevent or slow the progression of osteoporosis.
Regulation of energy metabolism: high-calcium diets reduce the accumulation of fat in adipocytes and weight gain on high-energy diets, increasing lipolysis and preserving thermogenesis during calorie restriction, thus supporting weight loss.
ADMINISTRATION
Calcium carbonate depends on the acidic environment of the stomach for adequate absorption and should be taken with food. NRV 800 mg/day, max 1200 mg
Excessive calcium intake (>2000 mg or more) can cause gastrointestinal effects (e.g. constipation, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting).
CALCIUM AND SPORT
Physical exercise can increase calcium losses. For example, Dressendorfer and colleagues examined the effects of 10 weeks of intense endurance training, including volume, interval and taper phases, on serum and urinary mineral levels. They found that urinary calcium increased and serum calcium fell below the clinical norm after the high-intensity training phase, but these changes were reversed after the recovery phase. Therefore, it appears that calcium excretion may be increased by high-intensity training. Inadequate calcium intake and increased calcium losses can predispose to osteoporosis. This may be particularly true in women who develop the female athlete triad (eating disorders, amenorrhoea, osteoporosis).
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Contraindications include kidney failure or chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a history of calcium-containing kidney stones.
Want to try a calcium supplement?
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