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Posted on Dec 30, 2005, 8 p.m.
By Bill Freeman
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Calcium is essential for the maintenance of many body functions, including the transmission of nerve impulses, the regulation of muscle contraction and relaxation, blood clotting, and various metabolic activities. It can be found in milk, egg yolk, fish or sardines (eaten with bones), yogurt, soybeans, green leafy vegetables (such as turnip greens, mustard greens, broccoli and kale), roots, tubers, seeds, soups and stews made from bones, blackstrap molasses, almonds, figs and beans.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Calcium is essential for the maintenance of many body functions, including the transmission of nerve impulses, the regulation of muscle contraction and relaxation, blood clotting, and various metabolic activities. It can be found in milk, egg yolk, fish or sardines (eaten with bones), yogurt, soybeans, green leafy vegetables (such as turnip greens, mustard greens, broccoli and kale), roots, tubers, seeds, soups and stews made from bones, blackstrap molasses, almonds, figs and beans.
ROLE IN ANTI-AGING:
Calcium maintains acid-alkaline balance in the body and normalizes contraction and relaxation of the heart muscles. Taken for strong bones and teeth the mineral helps to protect against osteoporosis, rickets, and osteomalacia. It also helps to lower high blood pressure, lowers cholesterol, and aids in preventing cardiovascular disease. Used with vitamin C it can help to offer relief from backaches, menstrual cramps and to sleep more soundly (a natural tranquilizer). Calcium can also help to prevent cancer, especially colorectal cancer.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:
Nervous spasms, facial twitching, weak feeling muscles, cramps, rickets, slow growth in children, osteoporosis (porous and brittle bones), osteomalacia (a bone-softening disease), heart palpitations and slow pulse rate, height reduction, colon cancer.
THERAPEUTIC DAILY AMOUNT:
1,000-1,500mg with half to equal parts of magnesium. Some researchers say menopausal women need 1,500mg, with added boron and magnesium. RDA is 1,000mg daily for adults aged 19 to 50, 1,200mg for adults aged 51 and upwards, and 1,200mg during pregnancy and lactation. The EU RDA is 800mg daily.
MAXIMUM SAFE LEVEL:
The maximum safe level for calcium supplementation is 1500mg (long term usage) 1900mg (short term usage). It is not recommended to take more than 1500mg on a longterm basis
SIDE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Side effects are only associated with excessively high dosages, they include: constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, increased thirst and frequency of urination, persistent headache, loss of appetite, metallic taste, nausea and vomiting, unusual fatigue. Advanced symptoms of calcium overdose are: bone and muscle pain, irregular heartbeat, persistent itching, extreme drowsiness, and mental changes. People taking thiazide diuretics or supplementary vitamin D, and those suffering from kidney or thyroid disease should consult their doctor before taking calcium supplements. Note: severe calcium toxicity may be fatal.
SOLUBILITY: Soluble in solvents such as alcohol and other dilute acids.
