What is calcium and what are its functions in the body

Calcium is the fifth most abundant element on earth and is an important part of our body. In nature it does not exist in its pure state, but is present in other minerals and stones.  

In our body it is present in the teeth, in the entire bone system and in some body fluids. It is naturally present in humans and animals, but as with other important nutrients, it wears out, so it is important to consume it through food.  

In addition to being important for the maintenance and strengthening of teeth and bones, calcium is important for other regulatory functions of the body.  

One of these functions is blood clotting that helps stop bleeding. Without blood clotting, a simple wound could cause terrible bleeding.  Another of these regulatory functions of calcium in the body is the transfer of energy and impulses through the nervous system. 

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Calcium Absorption

The absorption of calcium from the food we eat is done in the first part of the small intestine. This absorption is carried out with the help of vitamin D, which we also consume through food, but also from the sun.

Although this process of absorption is very important, in the best case and in a person of the healthiest, the maximum that we absorb from food is 40%. That is why it is important to consume foods that contain both calcium and vitamin D, the latter especially in winter.

Excess calcium and its consequences

Excess calcium or hypercalcemia is a disease in which calcium levels in our body, reflected in the levels of this mineral in the blood, exceed a measure that is considered normal. High levels of calcium in the blood can lead to problems such as decalcification of bones, kidney stones, as well as altering the functioning, in the most severe cases, of the most vital organs of the human body, which are the brain and the heart.