WHAT IS CALCIUM NEEDED FOR? Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body. Of the body's total calcium, about 99% is in the bones and teeth where it plays a structural role. The remaining 1% is present in body tissues and fluids where it is essential for cell metabolism, muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmission. The main function of calcium is structural. The skeleton of a young adult male contains about 1.2 kg of calcium. There is continuous movement of calcium between the skeleton and blood and other parts of the body. This is finely controlled by hormones. Metabolites of Vitamin D are important in this, increasing reabsorption of calcium by bones. The Vitamin D necessary to properly utilize calcium, though slight, is vital.  This vitamin is found in most foods, or from a vitamin supplement. Calcium also plays a role in cell biology. Calcium can bind to a wide range of proteins altering their biological activity. This is important in nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction. Calcium is also needed for blood clotting, activating clotting factors. Calcium is vital in the formation of strong bones and teeth.  It is needed for muscle growth and for the prevention of muscle cramps.  It lowers blood pressure and prevents bone loss associated with osteoporosis as well. Your blood cells need a high level of calcium to function.  When the dietary intake of calcium is not high enough to "feed" your blood, the blood will draw it's calcium from your bones.  This is mostly seen in women, and leads to osteoporisis and osteoarthritus.  The need for your blood to have a high source of calcium is one of the most over looked sources of pain, injury and death in the United States. Osteoporosis is mostly due to calcium deficiency. This involves loss of calcium from the bones and reduced bone density. This causes bones to be brittle and liable to fracture. Bone loss occurs with age in all individuals. This usually occurs after 35-40 years and involves the shrinking of the skeleton. Bone loss is greatest in women following the menopause. This is due to reduced levels of the hormone, estrogen. Post menopausal women are particularly at risk from osteoporosis. Calcium provides energy and participates in the protein structuring of RNA and DNA. It is also involved in the activation of several enzymes including lipase. Calcium protects the bones and teeth from lead by inhibiting absorption of this toxic metal. If there is a calcium deficiency, lead will be absorbed by the body and deposited in the teeth and bones. This may account for the higher levels of lead in children who have a higher incidence of cavities. A calcium deficiency may result in the following symptoms:   Hypocalcaemia (tingling, numbness and muscle twitches) Tetany (muscle spasms) Muscle cramps Nervousness Heart palpitations Brittle nails Eczema Hypertension Aching joints Increased cholesterol levels Rheumatoid arthritis Tooth decay Insomnia Rickets  PMS Hyperactivity in children Temporary insanity High blood pressure Slow wound healing Porous bones X-rays actually show nearly translucent rib bones on people who are weak in calcium intake.  Many miscarriages are due to lack of calcium in the mother. Calcium is more effective when taken in smaller doses spread throughout the day and before bedtime. When taken at night, it also promotes a sound sleep. This mineral works less effectively when taken in a single megadose. Female athletes and women experiencing menopause need greater amounts of calcium due to lower estrogen levels. Some research has indicated vegetarian women are at less risk of osteoporosis than omnivorous women.   Back to Calcium Information Return to the main Calcium page Back to Nutritional page. Question? Email us!   "These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, cure, prevent or treat any diseases." The above is a Government ORDERED statement. It is NOT based in either reality or sanity. Just like our Government. In a landmark decision on Friday, Jan. 15, 1999, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled that the health claim rules imposed by the FDA unconstitutional and in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act. The court instructed the FDA to define "significant scientific agreement" for health claims on dietary supplement labels, and instructed the FDA to allow the use of disclaimers on labels rather than to suppress these claims outright. The court further held that four FDA Final rules (prohibiting certain nutrient disease relationship claims) invalid under the first Amendment to the Constitution.