The role of calcium in the body

Calcium is one of the elements essential for the functioning of the human body. Although it is usually
associated with the main building block of bones, it plays far more roles in our body.

Transmission of signals
Both within the cell and extracellularly – calcium affects the secretion of various hormones and,
among others, muscle contractions in the intestines.

Muscle activity
Due to the influence on the configuration of the complex of proteins present in the muscles, calcium
is involved in contractions of the heart muscle, striated muscles and smooth muscles.

Myocardial agitation
Calcium participates in the transmission of stimuli between cells and synchronization of contractions
of individual parts of the heart.

Immunity and regeneration
By participating in the mechanism of macrophage mobility and influencing the synthesis of
antibodies, regulatory and building proteins, calcium is an important factor regulating immunity and
regenerative functions of the body.

Bone structure
It is in the bones that 99% of the body’s calcium is found. As you can see, this element is a very
important element in the structure of our skeleton.

Thermoregulation
The ratio between the concentration of calcium and sodium in the posterior hypothalamus regulates
the operation of the so-called biological thermostat set point.

Based on: Kołłataj W.; Szewczyk L.: ?gospodarka wapniowa ? rola wapnia w organizmie ludzkim? w
Endokrynologia pediatryczna ? Pediatric endocrynology. Vol. 5/2006 nr 1(14)

As it is not difficult to guess, a disturbance of the calcium metabolism in the human body can
consequently cause a number of serious health disorders. Although calcium deficiency is usually
associated with osteoporosis, it is not the only condition that can be caused by too little calcium in
the body. Hypocalcaemia is a condition in which the total calcium concentration in the body falls below 2.25
mmol / l and / or the ionized calcium concentration drops below 0.95 mmol / l [2].

The reasons for too low calcium in the body include:
? disorders of the parathyroid gland (destruction of the gland, its insufficiency – caused, for
example, by too low levels of magnesium),
? autoimmune diseases,
? insufficient calcium absorption (e.g. due to an unfavorable ratio of calcium to phosphorus –
the latter element, present e.g. in meat, fish, cheese, forms a poorly absorbed calcium
compound with calcium), ? disturbances in the vitamin D economy (caused e.g. by improper diet, too short exposure to the sun, side effect of using antiepileptic drugs), ? chronic renal failure. [2]
Tetany is a typical clinical symptom of acute hypocalcaemia. It occurs when the level of calcium in the
intercellular space consistently drops below about 1.5 mmol / l. This causes painful and involuntary
muscle contractions on both sides of the body, and in severe cases, even cardiac arrhythmias. These
contractions are very often associated with specific muscle groups. Apart from muscle cramps, the
patient may experience numbness around the mouth and tingling in the distal parts of the arms and
legs. Tetany can be a direct threat to the patient’s life if laryngospasm and secondary respiratory
arrest occur. Generalized seizures while the patient is conscious can be a form of muscle spasms and
should be distinguished from epileptic seizures. [3]

Common functional symptoms of hypocalcemic tetany are:
Chvostek’s symptom: consists of a jerky pulling of the corner of the mouth when the facial
nerve is hit in a specific place
Trusseau’s symptom: when transient ischemia of over-excitable nerves is induced by
compressing the arm with a pressure cuff for several minutes, the fingers form the shape of the so-
called “obstetrician’s hand” [3].
Treatment of tetany is carried out in different ways depending on its cause. In case of a sudden attack,
it should be stopped by intravenous administration of calcium chloride or gluconate (remember that
the administration of a concentrated solution of calcium chloride outside the vein may cause tissue
necrosis!)

In other cases, depending on the need, supplementation with calcium, vitamin D, magnesium,
phosphate binders, thiazide diuretics or calcium enriched dialysis fluids are used. [2]
If we see such a need, we can support ourselves with appropriate dietary supplements. The most
commonly used substance among them is calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Calcium citrate can also be
used, but the difficulty here is having to take several tablets a day. If the administered amount of
calcium exceeds 0.5 g per day, it should be divided into two doses. Increasing the absorption of
calcium can be achieved by taking it with vitamin D and with meals, unless their ingredients contain a
lot of fiber and oxalate. For people who also struggle with iron deficiency, it is recommended to take
calcium with breakfast, because it is the meal with the lowest iron content, and CaCO3 reduces iron
absorption by as much as 50%. High doses of supplemented calcium (over 1.5 g per day) may cause
constipation, and should therefore be avoided. [4]?

CalciNeff series dietary supplements
If you want to start supplementing with calcium, we recommend the products available in our offer:
CalciNeff, Calcineff D3 K2, CalciNeff Minerals and CalciNeff Minerals Plus. Also, please visit the
website www.calcineff.pl – there you will learn more about each of them. We encourage you to use
LABOR brand preparations!

AUTHOR: mgr inż. Katarzyna Trębicka

Footnotes:
[1] Kołłątaj W., Szewczyk L.: ?Gospodarka wapniowa ? rola wapnia w ludzkim organizmie
ludzkim?,
Endokrynologia pediatryczna. Pediatric Endocrinology. Vol. 5/2006 Nr 1(14)
[2] Jakubas-Kwiatkowska W., Błachowicz A., Franek E.: ?Hipokalcemia w praktyce klinicznej ?
przyczyny, objawy i leczenie?, Choroby Serca i Naczyń 2005, tom 2, nr 4, 232?237
[3] Kluj P., Dąbrowski M., Dąbrowska A., Piotrowski A., Gaszyński T.: ?Postępowanie
przedszpitalne
i wczesnoszpitalne w stanach nagłych chorób gruczołów wydzielania wewnętrznego. Część IV.
Zaburzenia gospodarki wapniowo-fosforanowej?, Anestezjologia i Ratownictwo 2012; 6: 434-441
[4] Gowin E., Ignaszak-Szczepaniak M., Horst-Sikorska W.: ?Niedożywione grubasy?, FARMACJA
WSPÓŁCZESNA 2010; 3: 68-72