COLLOIDAL MINERALS

What is the function of CALCIUM ?

Calcium is the most common mineral in the human body, where it is present in almost the same relative abundance as in the earth's crust. There are six stable isotopes of calcium: calcium⁴⁰ is the most common (97 %), and calcium⁴⁶ the least abundant (0.003 %). The ratios of the stable calcium isotopes in all terrestrial materials are virtually identical and were determined during nucleosynthesis 4.5 billion years ago. That humans have this same isotopic composition is no surprise, because dietary calcium depends on the isotopic composition of the soil. Calcium is present in variable amounts in all the foods and water we consume, although the main sources are dairy products and vegetables.

Approximately 99% of total body calcium is in the skeleton and teeth and 1% in blood and soft tissues. Calcium has four major biological functions:

1. structural as stores in the skeleton

   electrophysiological - carries charge during an action potential across membranes

   intracellular regulator, and 4) as a cofactor for extracellular enzymes and regulatory proteins.

CALCIUM IMPORTANCE:
Builds and maintains bones and teeth; regulates heart rhythm; eases insomnia; helps regulate the passage of nutrients in & out of the cell walls; assists in normal blood clotting; helps maintain proper nerve and muscle function; lowers blood pressure; important to normal kidney function and in current medical research reduces the incidence of colon cancer, and reduces blood cholesterol levels.

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:
May result in arm and leg muscles spasms, softening of bones, back and leg cramps, brittle bones, rickets, poor growth, osteoporosis ( a deterioration of the bones), tooth decay, depression.

Acute deficiency symptoms are avoided because of the large skeletal stores. Prolonged bone resorption from chronic dietary deficiency results in osteoporosis either by inadequate accumulation of bone mass during growth or increased rate of bone loss at menopause. Dietary calcium deficiency also has been associated with increased risk of hypertension, preeclampsia, and colon cancer.

Dietary recommendations: The dietary recommendations set by the 1994 NIH Conference on Optimal Calcium Intakes are:

Food sources: Dairy products are the most concentrated, well absorbed sources of calcium. Few other foods are rich sources of calcium. Foods which can contribute to dietary calcium include firm tofu (chemically set with calcium), dried beans, kale, broccoli, and bok choy. Calcium from oxalate rich foods such as spinach is generally poorly absorbed. Phytates are slightly inhibitory to absorption. Since FDA allows a label claim relating calcium to prevention of osteoporosis, some fortified foods have become available on the market.

Toxicity: Symptoms of calcium toxicity are largely anecdotal. Excess calcium supplementation may lead to mineral imbalances, e.g., magnesium, iron, and zinc.

Recent research: Calcium supplementation during adolescence increases bone mineral content. Sodium intakes may influence calcium requirements. Vitamin D receptor genotyping may predict individuals who respond to calcium supplementation.

For further information:

NIH Consensus Conference (1994) Optimal Calcium Intake. JAMA 272(24): 1942-1948

Weaver, C.M. & Plawecki, K.L. (1994) Dietary calcium: adequacy of a vegetarian diet, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 59:1238-1241S

Matkovic, V., Ilich, J.Z., Andon, M.B., Hsieh, L.C., Tzagournis, M.A., Lagger, B.J. & Goel, P.K. (1995) Urinary calcium, sodium, and bone mass in young females. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 62: 417-425.

THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FDA. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.

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