Calcium

Question 1

What are the properties of Calcium?

Answer 1

99% is found in bones and teeth

1% is found in blood clotting, muscle contraction, and heart/nerve function.

Question 2

What is the RDA for calcium, and what foods provide it?

Answer 2

1000mg for 19-70 yrs.

• 1cup Milk = 299mg
• 1.5 oz Cheese = 333mg
• 8 oz Yogurt = 415mg
• 3oz Sardines w/ bones = 325mg
• 1 cup orange juice = 349mg

Question 3

What happens if there is an excess/deficiency?

Answer 3

During a deficiency of calcium in the blood, parathyroid hormone (PTH) signals calcium from bones to release which also activates vitamin D for calcium absorption.
During an excess, the hormone calcitonin signals the release of calcium via urine and stopping calcium release from the bones.

Question 4

What are the symptoms of calcium deficiency?

Answer 4

hypocalcemia:
Muscle cramps or weakness
Numbness or tingling in fingers
Abnormal heart rate
Poor appetite.
For extreme measures, bone loss can occur starting at osteopenia and eventually evolving into osteoporosis