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General description	Soluble in solvents such as alcohol and other dilute acids
Found	- milk, yogurt - egg yolk - fish (sardine, salmon) - soybeans, soy milk - almonds - green leafy vegetables (kale, broccoli) - sesame seeds - tofu
Anti-aging role	- transmission of nerve impulses - regulation of muscle contraction and relaxation - regulation of blood clotting - regulation of metabolic activities - prevent osteoporosis, rickets, osteomalacia - lower high blood pressure - lower cholesterol level - natural tranquilizing effects - prevent colorectal cancer
Deficiency symptoms	- nervous spasms - facial twitching - weak feeling muscles, cramps - rickets, osteoporosis, osteomalacia - slow growth in children - heart palpitation - slow pulse rate - height reduction - colon cancer - convulsion - the most common cause of calcium deficiency is parathyroid gland disorder, chronic kidney disease, vitamin D deficiency, alcoholism
Therapeutic doses	1000 - 1500 mg RDA 19 - 50 year: 1000 mg RDA 51 - over: 1200 mg Pregnancy: 1200 mg European RDA: 800 mg
Maximum safe level	1500 mg - long term usage 1900 mg - short term usage
Side effects	- associated with high doses and usually in combinations with calcium antacids - constipation - diarrhea - dry mouth - increase thirst - increase frequency of urination - persistent headache - loss of appetite - nausea, vomiting - irregular heartbeat - persisting itching - mental changes - people with hypercalciemia have increased risk of kidney stones
Contraindications	- kidney and thyroid disease
Interactions	DRUG INTERACTIONS: - thiazide diuretics - intravenous calcium supplements decrease calcium channels blockers - calcium supplementation and eating calcium - rich food at the same time may decrease tetracycline, quinolones, biophosphonates, and levothyroxine absorption - simultaneously usage of H2 blockers and proton pumps blockers may decrease calcium absorption from calcium carbonate and phosphate - glucocorticoide therapy may decrease intestinal calcium absorption FOOD INTERACTIONS: - vitamin D is essential for normal calcium absorption - high sodium intake increase urine calcium secretion - high protein intake increase calcium absorption, but also increase urine calcium secretion - phosphorus increase calcium secretion - phosphorus and calcium salts can not be absorbed - caffeine increase urine calcium secretion
High risk groups	- pregnant and lactating women - women in menopause, premenopause and postmenopause - children, adolescents - women using child birth pills based on estrogen - patients using glucocorticoids - people with acute pancreatitis and kidney insufficiency - underweight persons - people with anorexia and/or bulimia - chronic alcoholics - people with peptic ulcer - people who received transplant lately - patients on dialysis
Composition formulas	- citrate, carbonate, hydroxiapathite - best utilization - citrate - usually in combinations with vitamin D, magnesium and zinc
Other remarks	- 99% of body calcium is contained in teeth and bones (hydroxiapatite) - calcium is insoluble in alcohol and diluted solvents

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