What Is Calcium? Other Names: Acétate de Calcium, Bone Meal, Calcio Quelado

What is Calcium?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Calcium is a vital mineral that plays a crucial role in various physiological processes in the human body. It is the most abundant mineral in the body and is essential for maintaining strong bones and teeth, facilitating nerve transmission, muscle contraction, and blood clotting. Despite its importance, many individuals fail to meet the recommended dietary intake of calcium, which can lead to various health issues. Other names include: Acétate de Calcium, Aspartate de Calcium, Bone Meal, Calcio, Calcio Quelado, Calcium Acetate, Calcium Aspartate, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Chelate, Calcium Chélaté, Calcium Chloride, Calcium Citrate, Calcium Citrate Malate, Calcium D-Gluconate, Calcium Disuccinate, Calcium Gluconate, Calcium Glycerophosphate, Calcium Hydrogen Phosphate, Calcium Hydroxyapatite, Calcium Lactate, Calcium Lactogluconate, Calcium Orotate, Calcium Phosphate, Calcium Sulfate, Carbonate de Calcium, Chélate de Calcium, Chelated Calcium, Chlorure de Calcium, Citrate de Calcium, Citrate Malate de Calcium, Coquilles d’Huîtres Moulues, Coquilles d’œuf, Dicalcium Phosphate, Di-Calcium Phosphate, Dolomite, Egg Shell Calcium, Gluconate de Calcium, Glycérophosphate de Calcium, Heated Oyster Shell-Seaweed Calcium, Hydroxyapatite, Lactate de Calcium, Lactogluconate de Calcium, MCHA, MCHC, Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite, Orotate de Calcium, Ossein Hydroxyapatite, Oyster Shell, Oyster Shell Calcium, Phosphate de Calcium, Phosphate de Calcium Hydrogène, Phosphate de di-Calcium, Phosphate Tricalcium, Poudre d’os, Quelato de Calcio, Sulfate de Calcium, Tricalcium Phosphate.

Role in Bone Health

Calcium is a major component of mineralized tissues and is required for normal growth and maintenance of bone. It is particularly important during childhood and adolescence when bone mass is being accumulated. Increased dietary intake of calcium during these stages is associated with increased bone mass in adulthood, which is crucial for reducing the risk of fractures later in life1 3. Calcium supplementation has been shown to increase bone mineral density in prepubertal children, suggesting its importance in achieving peak bone density1.

Calcium Sources and Supplementation

Calcium can be obtained from various dietary sources, including dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified foods. Additionally, calcium supplements are widely used to ensure adequate intake, especially in populations at risk of deficiency. Studies have shown that calcium supplementation can prevent bone loss in middle-aged and elderly women, particularly during the winter months when vitamin D levels decline8 9. Moreover, calcium supplementation has been associated with a reduction in the risk of recurrent colorectal adenomas, indicating its potential role in cancer prevention6.

Calcium and Body Weight

Interestingly, calcium intake has also been linked to body weight regulation. Clinical studies have found significant negative associations between calcium intake and body weight, suggesting that higher calcium intake may be associated with lower body weight and reduced risk of being overweight2. This relationship highlights the multifaceted benefits of adequate calcium intake beyond bone health.

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Uses of Calcium

Bone Health and Osteoporosis

Prevention and Treatment: Calcium supplements, often in the form of calcium carbonate or calcium citrate, are commonly used to prevent and treat osteopenia and osteoporosis. They help maintain bone density and reduce bone loss, especially in postmenopausal women and individuals undergoing treatments that affect bone health1 2 4 5.

Bone Building: Calcium, particularly when combined with vitamin D, supports bone building and reduces the risk of stress fractures during periods of high physical activity, such as military training5.

Bone Mineral Density: Calcium supplementation has been shown to improve bone mineral density in various populations, including children with low dietary calcium intake and postmenopausal women4 8.

Colorectal Health

Prevention of Colorectal Adenomas: Calcium supplementation has been associated with a moderate reduction in the risk of recurrent colorectal adenomas, suggesting a protective role against certain types of colorectal cancer3.

Parathyroid Function and Bone Resorption

Parathyroid Hormone Regulation: Calcium intake can help regulate parathyroid hormone levels, which is crucial for calcium metabolism and bone health. This is particularly important in conditions like hypoparathyroidism6 7.

Bone Resorption: High-calcium mineral water and supplements can reduce bone resorption markers, indicating a decrease in the breakdown of bone tissue6.

Other Considerations

Bioavailability: Different forms of calcium, such as calcium citrate, carbonate, and pyruvate, vary in their bioavailability and effects on the body. Some forms may be more suitable for individuals with specific dietary needs or health conditions9 10.

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Adverse Effects of Calcium

Gastrointestinal Effects

Calcium supplements are commonly associated with gastrointestinal (GI) issues. These include constipation, abdominal cramping, bloating, and severe diarrhea or abdominal pain. Such symptoms were more frequently reported in individuals taking calcium supplements compared to those on a placebo, with a relative risk increase of 1.43 for GI events1 9.

Cardiovascular Risks

There is evidence suggesting that calcium supplementation may increase the risk of cardiovascular events. In postmenopausal women, calcium supplements have been linked to higher rates of myocardial infarction and a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, or sudden death4. Another study found that calcium supplementation increased serum cholesterol concentrations and carotid intima-media thickness in postmenopausal women with dyslipidemia, indicating potential cardiovascular risks2.

Effects on Lipid Profiles

Calcium supplementation has been shown to affect lipid profiles adversely. In postmenopausal women, it was associated with increased serum cholesterol levels, which could contribute to cardiovascular risk2.

Bone Health in Specific Populations

In children with nephrotic syndrome undergoing steroid treatment, calcium plus vitamin D supplementation helped reduce bone mineral density loss but did not completely prevent it, indicating a need for careful management in such cases10.

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How has Calcium Improved Patient Outcomes?

Cardiac Arrest

Calcium administration during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest has not shown significant benefits. Studies indicate that calcium does not improve the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) or survival rates compared to placebo treatments in these scenarios1 3. In fact, one study was halted due to concerns about potential harm in the calcium group3.

Depression Treatment

In patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who do not respond adequately to SSRIs, adjunctive treatment with L-methylfolate calcium has been shown to significantly improve outcomes. This improvement is particularly notable in patients with higher body mass index (BMI) and elevated inflammatory markers2.

Endodontic Treatment

Calcium hydroxide preparations in endodontic treatments have demonstrated significant clinical value. Patients treated with calcium hydroxide showed higher effectiveness rates, reduced pain, fewer complications, and greater satisfaction compared to conventional therapy4.

Hemodialysis

Lowering dialysate calcium levels in hemodialysis patients has been beneficial in reducing the progression of coronary artery calcification and improving bone turnover, suggesting a protective role against cardiovascular and bone complications5.

Postoperative Care

Prophylactic calcium and magnesium supplementation before thyroidectomy may reduce the risk of postoperative hypocalcemia and improve quality of life, although further studies are needed to confirm these findings6. Additionally, calcium injections during coronary artery bypass grafting have been shown to reduce the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation by inducing autonomic denervation9.

Bone Health

Calcium, often combined with vitamin D, has been used to prevent bone loss after renal transplantation and in postmenopausal women. While it helps maintain bone mineral density, its effects on reducing fracture risk are less clear7 8.

Periodontal Treatment

In periodontal repair, the use of calcium carbonate implants alongside guided tissue regeneration has shown improvements in clinical outcomes, such as probing depth reduction and clinical attachment gain, compared to surgery alone10.

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Calcium Mechanisms of Action

Antimicrobial Action

Calcium hydroxide can absorb carbon dioxide, contributing to its antibacterial activity in root canals by reducing the growth of anaerobic bacteria1.

Gene Modulation

Calcium, in conjunction with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, modulates genes involved in immune and inflammatory pathways in the human colon. This modulation can reverse inflammation induced by a Western-style diet, highlighting calcium’s role in immune response regulation2.

Bone Health

Dietary calcium helps retard postmenopausal bone loss by decreasing bone resorption. It affects bone turnover and calcitrophic hormones, showing a significant impact on bone mineral density3.

Pre-eclampsia Prevention

Calcium supplementation may reduce the severity of preeclampsia, although the exact mechanisms remain unclear. It is hypothesized to involve modulation of placental and endothelial function4.

Calcium Homeostasis

In animal models, calcium affects homeostasis by influencing urinary calcium excretion and serum calcium concentrations, which are crucial for maintaining bone and mineral balance5.

Appetite Regulation

Calcium can suppress food intake by enhancing the secretion of peptide-YY (PYY), a gut hormone, through activation of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR)7.

Cardiovascular Effects

Magnesium, acting as a calcium agonist at the CaSR, can induce vasorelaxation and reduce vasospasm, suggesting a potential pathway for calcium in cardiovascular health8.

Apoptosis Regulation

Calcium concentrations are critical in ischemia-reperfusion injury, where they influence apoptosis through the regulation of mitochondrial calcium levels and Bcl-2 expression9.

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Common Complaints Associated with Calcium Use

Gastrointestinal Issues: Calcium supplements, especially those containing calcium carbonate, are often linked to gastrointestinal adverse events such as bloating, gas, and constipation. A study comparing different forms of calcium supplements found that conventional calcium carbonate tablets resulted in higher GI symptom scores compared to microencapsulated calcium carbonate, which showed better tolerability1.

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Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

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