CALCIUM
Calcium is the largest most nonpolar, alkaline and most abundant of all minerals with 99% of all calcium found in the bones and teeth.
Calcium exists in the ionized state 55 percent of the time and 45 percent of the time in the non-diffusible state, bound to either albumin, prealbumin or thyroglobulin. Therefore, if there is a decrease in serum albumin then there will be a decrease in serum calcium.
Calcium has many functions:
¬ Provides the mobilizing factor in trauma, infections and stress for tissue repair, along with vitamins A, C, manganese, phosphorus, and fatty acids.
¬ Causes vasoconstriction, while potassium, sodium, magnesium, hydrogen ions, and carbon dioxide cause vasodilatation.
¬ Is necessary for bone formation along with phosphorus, collagen, hydroxyapatite (gives bone its hardness) and bone salts of magnesium, sodium, potassium, carbonate, uranium, plutonium, and strontium.
¬ Calcium is used to create action potentials across smooth and striated muscles leading to contraction.
¬ Calcium is used as an intracellular communicator via calcium ion gated channels.
¬ Calcium collects and gather up lipoproteins, and move them across the intestinal membrane. Attaches to oils, fats, fatty acids and waxes. Calcium is absorbed in the upper portion of the small intestines (duodeneum), and the amount absorbed depends on the "acidity" of the intestinal content, via phosphorylation and protein content. When the ratio of calcium to magnesium (which is found in the intestinal membrane as well as cell membranes) is greater than 2-1, fat is drawn through the intestinal and cell membranes. Calcium also requires vitamin D. and HCl for optimal metabolism.
The glands involved with calcium are:
1. The stomach via the release of HCL, which affects the preparation and absorption of calcium.
2. The parathyroids- via parathormone control of calcium ion concentration by controlling intestinal absorption, excretion via the kidneys and the release of calcium from the bones.
3. The liver/gallbladder- via bile emulsification of lipoproteins, preparing them for intestinal absorption.
4. The spleen- which stores and ages fats or lipoproteins.
5. The parotids- due to their ability to program foodstuffs.
6. The thyroid glands-via "calcitonin", promoting deposition of calcium in the bones, while decreasing calcium concentration in the extra-cellular fluids and the blood.
7. The anterior pituitary via its control of magnesium regulating calcium uptake, which regulates protein transport thru the cell membranes.
8. The pancreas- via its ability to oxidize fatty acids
Therefore, any of the above glands or organs or combinations thereof has a great impact on calcium levels.
CALCIUM IS HIGH WHEN
General considerations
¬ Your patient should drink plenty of water
¬ Make sure they are not hypervitaminosis on Vitamins A or D
¬ Very high protein diets may increase calcium levels
¬ Magnesium and phosphates may also increase calcium levels
¬ Using sea salt can help to reduce calcium levels.
CALCIUM IS LOW WHEN
General considerations:
¬ Increase Vitamin A and D intake
¬ Increase albumin and protein intake
¬ Increase magnesium intake
¬ Increase phosphorus