Calcium: Low Calcium or Too Much Calcium Can Be Dangerous

Introduction:

Calcium is a mineral nutrient necessary for human health: Calcium is found in supplements, dairy, cereals, meats, spinach, kale, soybeans, white beans, and other vegetables. Calcium is primarily stored in the bones but used in other parts of the body to perform functions such as nerve conduction, muscle contraction, heart function and neurotransmitter release. Calcium helps to maintain strong bones and teeth in addition to being needed for nerve transmission, clotting, blood pressure, muscle use, enzyme activation, and hormone regulation.

Dietary supplements containing calcium are taken by about 43% of Americans. Calcium is well-known for prevention of osteoporosis. A review of major trials performed on osteoporosis by Nordin, BE supported calcium supplementation in the prevention of about a 1 % bone density loss per year (1). Research also supports that weight bearing exercise increases bone mass better than calcium supplements as long as adequate calcium intake is present.