why calcium is important

                       why you should add calcium in diet?

                       CALCIUM IS ESSENTIAL

Calcium is structural component of body (Skeleton and teeth): 99% of the calcium in the body is present in the bones and teeth.

Calcium controls the excitability of nerves and muscle contraction. Calcium is required for normal clotting process occurs in body.

REGULATION OF CALCIUM

Whenever blood calcium level decreases below the normal, parathyroid gland is stimulated to secrete parathormone. This hormone mobilizes calcium from the bone and also facilitates reabsorption of calcium in the kidney.
It also increases calcium absorption in the small intestine by increasing the synthesis of 1,25 dihydroxy cholecalciferol (active form of vitamin D) from 25 hydroxy cholecalciferol in the kidneys, which in turn increases the synthesis of calcium binding protein resulting in increased calcium absorption.High level of blood calcium stimulates the secretion of calcitonin, which has antagonistic action to that of parathormone.

DEFICIENCY OF CALCIUM IN BODY

If calcium is deficient in the diet of young growing child, then satisfactory bone formation cannot occur and the condition known as rickets is produced. The symptoms of rickets are misshapen bones, enlargement of the joints, lameness and stiffness.in adult animals,calcium deficiency produces osteomalacia in which the calcium in the bone is withdrawn and not replaced. In osteomalacia the bones become weak, fragile and are easily broken.

SYMPTOMS OF DEFICIENCY

Characterized by a lowering of the serum calcium level, muscular spasms and in extreme case paralysis and unconsciousness.The parathyroid gland is unable to respond rapidly enough to increase calcium absorption from the intestine to meet the extra demand.

Normal levels of blood calcium can be restored by intravenous injections of calcium gluconate, but this may not always have a permanent effect.

sources of calcium:

• Egg
• Milk
• Cereals
• Vitamin D intake
• Calcium supplement