CALCIUM DEFICIENCY, SUPPLEMENTS, BENEFITS AND
SIDE EFFECTS          
Calcium

If you do not enough calcium in your body, you may have hypocalcemia.
Hypocalcemia is the calcium deficiency, it is a condition of low blood calcium. It
may be resulted from low parathyroid hormone levels, kidney failure, acute
pancreatitis, insufficient magnesium, insufficient protein in the blood, or vitamin
D deficiency. Symptoms of low calcium often do not occur with mild calcium
deficiency. As calcium deficiency becomes more severe, symptoms such as
abnormal heart rhythms, muscle cramps, muscle twitching, or seizures,
burning, pricking, tickling, or tingling sensation (paresthesia) of the hands,
feet, lips, and tongue occur.

On the other hand, high blood calcium is called hypercalcemia. Its symptoms
include sleeplessness, itching, headache, palpitation, apathy, akinesis,
leanness, foot gangrene, dehydration, confusion, loss of appetite, nausea,
vomiting, weight loss, and constipation. In long term, it may lead to vascular
calcification.

Benefits and uses of calcium
Calcium is essential for many functions in the body, including regulating the
heartbeat, conducting nerve impulses, building and maintaining healthy bones,
stimulating hormone secretions and blood clotting.

Calcium requirements
Calcium is a mineral found in many foods. Getting enough of this nutrient is
important because the human body cannot make it. Even after you are fully
grown, adequate calcium intake is important because the body loses calcium
every day through the skin, nails, hair, and sweat, as well as through urine and
feces. This lost calcium must be replaced daily through the diet. Otherwise, the
body takes calcium out of the bones to perform other functions, which makes
the bones weaker and more likely to break over time.

Calcium is needed for our heart, muscles, and nerves to function properly and
for blood to clot. The recommended calcium intake for infants (0-6 months) is
210 mg, young kids (1-3 years) 500 mg, kids (4-8 years) 800 mg, older kids
(9-18) 1,300 mg, adult (19-50 years) 1,000 mg and older adult (50+) 1,200
mg. Experts recommend that adults get 1,000 to 1,200 mg (milligrams) of
calcium each day. Calcium supplements can fill the gap by ensuring that you
meet your daily calcium requirement.

Calcium supplements are better absorbed when taken in small doses (500 mg
or less) several times throughout the day. In many individuals, calcium
supplements are better absorbed when taken with food. Most brand-name
calcium products are absorbed easily in the body. If you are not sure about
your product, you can find out how well it dissolves by placing it in a small
amount of warm water for 30 minutes and stirring it occasionally. If it hasn't
dissolved within this time, it probably will not dissolve in your stomach.

For certain people, some calcium supplements may cause side effects such as
gas or constipation. Calcium supplements may also educe the absorption of
the antibiotic tetracycline. Calcium also interferes with iron absorption. Do not
overdose yourself with calcium supplement or related products, though studies
have shown that doses as high as 2-3 g of calcium carbonate (i.e. maximum
1200 mg of calcium) a day appear was not associated with prostate risk.

Reference
http://www.zhion.com/Supplements/Calcium.html

THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, YOU SHOULD
CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008. DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER THIS
ARTICLE TO OTHER WEBSITES NOR OTHER TYPES OF PUBLICATION.
"Victoria crater" Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell  SPACE