Role of Calcium in human body Calcium has several main functions in the body. Calcium acts structurally as supporting material in bones as calcium phosphate. Calcium is also involved in cellular signalling pathways. Intracellular calcium functions as a second messenger in the secretion of many hormones and neurotransmitters. Calcium also acts as an intracellular permeation regulator and mediator of muscle contraction. Calcium also acts as an enzyme cofactor for some clotting factors (enzymes) in the coagulation cascade. The plasma level of calcium is closely regulated with a normal total calcium of 2.2-2.6 mmol/L (9-10.5 mg/dL) and a normal ionized calcium of 1.1-1.4 mmol/L (4.5-5.6 mg/dL). Effects of hypocalcemia: If levels of calcium are low for long periods, people may develop dry scaly skin, brittle nails, and coarse hair. Muscle cramps involving the back and legs are common. Over time, hypocalcemia can affect the brain and cause neurologic or psychologic symptoms, such as confusion, memory loss, delirium, depression, and hallucinations. These symptoms disappear if the calcium level is restored. An extremely low calcium level may cause tingling (often in the lips, tongue, fingers, and feet), muscle aches, spasms of the muscles in the throat (leading to difficulty breathing), stiffening and spasms of muscles (tetany), seizures, and abnormal heart rhythms. Effect of Hypercalcemia: Excessive thirst,excessive urination, pain between your back and upper abdomen on one side, nausea, abdominal pain, decreased appetite,constipation,vomiting,twitches,weakness,Skeletal System ,pain in your bones,height loss,bowed shoulders,curvature of the spine,fractures from disease.How such balance in human bodies are formed? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium_metabolism merckmanuals/home/hormonal_and_metabolic_disorders/electrolyte_balance/hypocalcemia_low_level_of_calcium_in_the_blood.html healthline/health/hypercalcemia#Symptoms3
Posted on: Fri, 24 Oct 2014 08:44:02 +0000