CALCIUM

VITAMINS AND MINERALS

 Group Colleagues:

 Nawal jamshed
 Syed Ammar Zia
 Syeda Kanza Batool
 Hira Mujeeb Mughal
 Shiza Rauf
 Shehzil Tanveer
 WHAT ARE MINERALS ?
Human Body Needs Minerals:
 Most of us take our bodies for granted, but if you stop to
think about it the human body performs amazing feats
every day.
 The millions of tiny cells in your body require essential
nutrients to grow, develop and work together in perfect
harmony. T
 hese essential nutrients, those that your body needs but
cannot produce, include the inorganic substances found
in foods known as minerals.
 These minerals include calcium, magnesium,
phosphorous, fluoride etc.
 INTRODUCTION
 Calcium is an essential nutrient that is necessary for many
functions in human health.
 Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body with 99%
found in teeth and bone. Only 1% is found in serum.
 Bone formation and maintenance is a lifelong process. 
“ THE BONES ARE ALL IN GOOD SHAPE,
THEY JUST NEED MORE CALCIUM.’’
 IMPORTANCE
 Calcium is distributed among various
tissue compartments in the human body.
 The extracellular pool maintains the
plasma calcium level at a constant serum
level (9.0 mg/dL) using a complex team
of hormones.
 Adequate intake:
 1000 mg/day(19-50 yr)
 1200 mg/day ( >51 yr)
 FUNCTIONS

 Calcium is tightly linked to many of the roles that vitamin D

plays in the body. In bone building, Calcium is a key player.
 It stabilizes blood pressure by keeping heart beat normal.
 It’s essential for blood clotting process.
 It contributes to normal brain function.

 Calcium is involved in nerve

transmission.

 And is needed for the release of

chemicals that transmit signal from a
nerve cell to a target cell.
 Facilitates the actual process of contraction of the
muscle cell.
 FOOD SOURCES
 Milk
 Cheese
 Yogurt
 Beans
 Figs
 Broccoli
 Spinach
 Tofu
 Dandelion leaves
 Seaweeds such as kelp, sardines
 Fortified cereals
 Soy milk
 Nuts and seeds (pistachio, sesame, almonds & hazelnuts)
 DEFICIENCY
• There are generally two types of calcium deficiencies
namely ;

 Dietary Calcium Deficiency: This condition is caused due to

inadequate calcium intake, which often leads to depleted
calcium stores in the bones.
 Hypocalcemia: This condition is characterized by low level
of calcium in the blood. It often occurs as a side effect of
medications i.e diuretics, medical treatments for diseases
like hypoparathyroidism.
 Osteoporosis:
Osteoporosis is the condition where the bones lose
minerals. This makes the bones porous, fragile & brittle.
They become less resistant to normal stresses and are at
a greater risk of fractures and breakage.
 Cardiovascular Diseases:
Getting enough calcium may provide protection from
heart disease and stroke. Thus, calcium deficiency can
cause cardiovascular risk.
 High Blood Pressure:
Taking recommended dietary intake of calcium can reduce
the risk of developing high blood pressure. A diet
comprising of fat-free and low-fat dairy products, fruits
and vegetables can lower blood pressure.
 Cancer:
Certain studies have proved that lack of calcium can lead
to colon or rectum cancer and increase the risk of prostate
cancer. Calcium supplements or taking a diet high in
calcium can prevent this condition.
 CAUSES OF CALCIUM
DEFICIENCY
1. Inadequate Consumption of Calcium:
• Due to low levels of calcium in our blood,it results
consequently thinning of bones.
2. Deficiency of Nutrients:
• Deficiency nutrients like vit-D, mg and P can also lead to
dietary calcium deficiency.
3. Menopause:
• After menopause a consequent increase in bone break down
and absorption of calcium into bone.
4. Age:
• As we age, our body becomes less efficient in absorbing
calcium from foods.
 SYMPTOMS OF CALCIUM
DEFICIENCY
 Confusion Or Memory Loss.
 Muscle Spasms.
 Tingling In Hands, Feet & Face.
 Depression.
 Hallucinations.
 Muscle Cramps.
 Weak And Brittle Nails.
 Easy Fracturing Of The Bones.
 Dry Skin
 TREATMENT OF CALCIUM
DEFICIENCY
Following are the treatments necessary to prevent health
issues and maintain strong bones.
1. Dietary Changes:
Increasing the intake of foods rich in Ca+. Consume foods rich
in vitamin D to enhance the absorption of Ca+.
2. Calcium Supplements:
Under low intake from diet, the doctor may suggest you to take
calcium supplements. Majority in conditions of hypocalcaemia.
3. Injections:
If diet changes and supplements do not yield, doctor may
regulate calcium levels by giving Ca+ injections. 
 DISEASE OF Ca+
OSTEOPOROSIS:
Osteoporosis causes bones to become
weak and brittle — so brittle that a fall
or even mild stresses such as bending
over or coughing can cause a fracture.
Osteoporosis-related fractures most
commonly occur in the hip, wrist or
spine. Bone is living tissue that is
constantly being broken down and
replaced.
 SYMPTOMS OF OSTEOPOROSIS:

Once your bones have been weakened by

osteoporosis, you may have signs and
symptoms that include:
 Back pain, caused by a fractured or
collapsed vertebra
 Loss of height over time,
 a stooped posture
 a bone fracture that occurs much
more easily than expected.
 CAUSE OF OSTEOPOROSIS:
• RISK FACTORS
A number of factors can increase the likelihood that you'll develop
osteoporosis including your age, race, lifestyle choices, and medical
conditions and treatments.

• UNCHANGEABLE RISKS
Some risk factors for osteoporosis are out of your control, including:
 Gender. (Women are much more likely to develop osteoporosis
than are men.)
 Age. 
 Family history. 
 Body frame size. 
• DIETARY FACTORS
Osteoporosis is more likely to occur in people who have:
Low calcium intake. Low calcium intake diminish bone density,
early bone loss and risk of fractures.
Eating disorders. Severely restricting food intake and being
underweight weakens bone in both men and women.
Gastrointestinal surgery. Limits the amount of surface area
available to absorb nutrients, including calcium.
Steroids. Long-term use of oral or injected corticosteroid
medications, interferes with the bone-rebuilding process.
Other medications. Also associated with medications used to
prevent seizers ,Gastric reflux, Cancer and Transplant rejection.
• HORMONE LEVELS
Osteoporosis is more common in people who have too much or too
little of certain hormones in their bodies
Sex hormones. Lowered sex hormone levels tend to weaken bone.
WOMEN: Reduction of oestrogen levels in women is the risk factor
for developing osteoporosis.
MEN: Experience a gradual reduction in testosterone levels as t
hey age.
Thyroid Problems. This can occur if your thyroid is overactive or if
you take too much thyroid hormone medication can cause bone loss.
Other glands. Osteoporosis has also been associated with overactive
parathyroid and adrenal glands.
 MEDICAL CONDITIONS
The risk of osteoporosis is higher in
people who have certain medical
problems, including:
 Celiac disease
 Inflammatory bowel disease
 Kidney or liver disease
 Cancer
 Lupus
 Multiple myeloma
 Rheumatoid arthritis
 PREVENTION

 GOOD NUTRITION and regular exercise are essential for keeping your bones
healthy throughout your life.
 BODY WEIGHT: Maintaining an appropriate body weight is good for bones just
as it is for health in general.
 CALCIUM: Men and women 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day. This daily
amount increases to 1,200 milligrams when women turn 50 and men turn 70.
Daily use of good sources of calcium, including;
– Low-fat dairy products
– Dark green leafy vegetables
– Canned salmon or sardines with bones
– Soy products, such as tofu
– Calcium-fortified cereals and orange juices
BONE MASS
 TOXICITY OF CALCIUM
 HYPERCALCEMIA:
• Hypercalcemia is a condition in which the calcium
level in our blood is above normal. Which can
weaken our bones, form kidney stones, also
interfere with our heart and brain functioning.
• Hypercalcemia is usually a result of overactive
parathyroid glands. These four tiny glands are
situated behind the thyroid gland.
• Other causes of hypercalcemia include cancer,
medical disorders, some medications, and taking
too much vitamin D supplements.
 SYMPTOMS OF TOXICITY
 KIDNEYS:
Excess calcium in your blood means your kidneys have to work harder to filter it.
This can cause excessive thirst and frequent urination.
 DIGESTIVE SYSTEM:
 Hypercalcemia can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting and constipation.
 BONES AND MUSCLES:
 The excess calcium in your blood was leached from your bones, which weakens
them. This can cause bone pain, muscle weakness and depression.
 BRAIN:
Hypercalcemia can interfere with the way your brain works, resulting in
confusion, lethargy and fatigue. It can also cause depression.
 HEART:
 Rarely, severe hypercalcemia can cause palpitations and fainting, indications of
cardiac arrhythmia, and other heart problems.
 CONCLUSION
 In summary, this narrative review has emphasized the following key
information regarding calcium through the lifecycle.
 Calcium is an essential nutrient, a component of bone health.
 Adequate calcium is needed throughout life cycle.
 Dietary requirements vary slightly by population Group, Age, Gender
 Calcium consumed as food naturally contains many other nutrients and
should be primary method of intake.
 Calcium supplements may be required to correct deficiencies.
 Inadequate intake may change bone mineral density, particularly in the
elderly.
 Barriers to adequate intake need to be addressed including lactase deficiency.
 innovative ways to increase intake with at risk populations.
 UNDERSTANDING NUTRITION

 Trace Elements In Animal And Human Nutrition

 FAO/WHO Expert Consulation On Human Vitamin

And Mineral Requirement