CALCIUM

Question 1

Functions of Calcium:

Answer 1

• Enzyme activity
• Blood clotting
• Contraction of muscles
• Maintenance of regular heart beat
• Maintenance of nerve function
• Mian component of HYDROXYAPATITE needed for building/maintaining bones/teeth

Question 2

Sources of Calcium:

Answer 2

• Brocoli
• Fish if bones are eaten
• Soya products
• Milk/Cheese/Yogurt
• Flour (fortified by law)

Question 3

Excess of Calcium:

Answer 3

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Thirst
• High VIT D intake can cause CALCIUM DEPOSITS in soft tissue = HYPERCALCEMIA

Question 4

Deficiency of Calcium:

Answer 4

• Children = stunted growth = rickets
• Adults = Osteomalacia
• Ageing = loss of calcium therefor decreasing bone mass making them weak & brittle
• Severe loss = Osteoporosis which affects mostly older women

Question 5

What is RICKETS?

Answer 5

• Deficiency of CALCIUM during growth meaning the bones weaken and bow outwards
• One of the most common childhood disease in developing countries

Question 6

What is OSTEOMALACIA?

Answer 6

• Adult form of rickets ( no bowed legs as they’re fulling grown)
• Softening & wearing of bones due to unsatisfactory bone mineralization making them easy to fracture

Question 7

How is Calcium absorbed?

Answer 7

• Harder to absorb from plant foods
• Lactose & Vit D promote Calcium absorption
• SFA’s form INSOLUBLE SOAPS with Calcium
• When protein is broken into AA’s is combines with Calcium to form CALCIUM SALTS which are easily absorbed