Calcium
The calcium being the most abundant mineral salt in the body, about 99% of it is found in the bones and teeth, but it is also found in the calcium inside the cells and in the blood.
The body maintains precise control over the amount of calcium in the blood. In the event of a calcium deficiency in the blood, a transfer occurs from the bones to the blood. Therefore, if calcium intake is consistently insufficient, too much calcium will move from the bones to the blood, which weakens the bones and can cause osteoporosis.
The daily calcium intake should be between 1000 mg and 1500 mg, divided into 2 or 3 meals, as the body only absorbs 500 mg of calcium at a time and rejects the excess.
Important to know, for proper absorption, calcium requires a sufficient amount of vitamin D and of magnesium.
Benefits of calcium:
- Formation of bones and teeth
- Muscle contraction
- Normal functioning of many enzymes
- Blood coagulation
- Normal heart rate
Symptoms of deficiencies:
- osteoporosis,
- dental and gum problems,
- kidney problems,
- hyperparathyroidism