Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. Dietary calcium is mainly absorbed from dairy products, but is also present in coarse flour, mineral water and some fruit and vegetables. It is absent, or almost absent, in fizzy soft drinks, sweets and fast food. Therefore, calcium supplementation is recommended in cases of malnutrition.
Calcium is essential for the body’s life functions.
- This mineral makes up about 1.5-2% of a person’s weight, and is the most important part of the human skeleton. If a person’s diet is adequate and their calcium intake is not deficient, the body does not need to draw calcium reserves from the bones, thereby maintaining normal bone mineralisation.
- Approximately 1% of the calcium circulates continuously in the blood plasma and enters all the body’s tissues and fluids. Calcium is involved in reducing irritability in the nervous system. It also regulates the cell membrane and capillary permeability, supports blood clotting, and helps maintain normal muscle functions.
- Most (about 99%) of the calcium in the human body is stored in the bones and teeth, making it essential for normal bone and teeth development in children and for maintaining healthy bones and teeth in adults.
