Calcium in human body

Calcium is a macroelement performing diverse functions in a human body. It is plastic material for a skeleton, takes part in enzymatic processes, maintains normal neuromuscular excitability. The calcium role in immune processes is extremely important, it regulates permeability of cytosolic membranes:

in the presence of calcium ions they keep integrity, in case of absence become porous, easily passable. Calcium is the regulator of permeability intracellular the lysosomal membrans, thanks to what it is highly effective in case of inflammatory and allergic reactions (hyposensitization therapy). Ions of calcium take part in initial stage of activation of T-lymphocytes and implementation of the second signal for proliferation of T-lymphocytes (Birx D. et al., 1984, tsit. according to G. N. Drannik et al., 1994). Folding processes - antifibrillation calcium - dependent. Read calcium exchange in more detail.

Calcium in fitness and bodybuilding

Calcium is one of the most widespread minerals of an organism, he has paramount value in bodybuilding for several reasons:

• Bodybuilders at a diet not always have enough calcium, and protein consumed in bodybuilding is rich with phosphorus which suppresses his assimilation.
• It is the main mineral which carries out reduction of muscles.
• Growth of muscles and training stress increases the needs for calcium.
• Female athletes have to monitor intake of calcium as the decrease in level of estrogen connected with trainings leads to reduction of digestion of calcium and increase in his losses especially carefully.
• High level of calcium can slow down processes of absorption of iron, zinc and other mineral substances and minerals necessary for an organism.

Indications for calcium reception

However, natural cases when additional reception of a calcium in the form of drugs or nutritional supplements is absolutely necessary aren't excluded. It includes:

• specific features of a diet, first of all, full rejection of dairy products (yogurt, cream, whole milk, cottage cheese, cheeses);
• deficiency of body weight and disturbance of a menstrual cycle at female sportswomen;
• caloric content of a daily diet less than 2000 kcal/days;
• "true" vegetarianism;
• the osteoporosis phenomena (irrespective of a sex of the athlete);
• consumption of a large amount of protein (including in the form of nutritional supplements and amino acids);
• the period after an enterosorbtion;
• the accelerated destruction of teeth without the obvious reasons;
• frequent muscular cramps.

In similar situations, certainly, there is a question: what drugs calcium do you give preference?

Calcium products

If to take usual salts of a calcium (a carbonate, Natrii phosphas, Sodium lactatum, gluconat), then the greatest number of a calcium contains in a malata, a carbonate, then Natrii phosphas, Sodium lactatum and gluconat follow. At the same time gluconat and Sodium lactatum are transferred better.

"Attention" The ,ost acquired calcium forms are malat and calcium citrate. However effect of the drugs containing except calcium salts D3 vitamin and a number of the components strengthening calcium absorption, undoubtedly, above. At preventive calium reception the use with a magnesium is desirable its simultaneous and though a magnesium reduces digestion of calcium a little, but protects from adjournment of a calcium in tissues. Anyway you shouldn't accept calcium additives at deficiency of a magnesium in an organism.

It must be kept in mind that the normal content of calcium can't serve in blood serum as reliable criterion of lack of its deficiency.

It is necessary to pay attention: carry large numbers in a nutrition of a fibrous tissue, oxalic acid (contains in spinach, chocolate, a beet tops of vegetable, a rhubarb) to the factors reducing calcium absorption, phytic acid (is in external layers grain and, therefore, in products from whole grain), consumption of a large amount of protein, alcoholic beverages; to the factors improving this absorption - the increased need for a calcium, presence of vitamin D, lactose, performance of exercises of power character).

Read in more detail the scientific review: A calcium for weight loss

Time of reception

At night there is an accelerated release of mineral salts from an organism (circadian acceleration of resorptive processes in bones). Therefore it is expedient to accept medicines of calcium after a lunch and in the evening that will prevent the accelerated loss of calcium in the second half of night, especially at the reduced his level (or absence) in intestines. The negative dose-dependent effect of pharmacotherapeutic activity of calcium is noted: in low doses this biometal are soaked up better, than in high. In this regard it is more rational to accept medicine several times a day. Do not forget take Meldonium for better results.

Recommended doses

DRI (the recommended daily doses) for the calcium arriving with a nutrition and additives will be the following:

• women at the age of 19 — 50 years — 1000 mg;
• women are more senior than 50 years — 1200 mg;
• pregnant women — 1000 mg;
• nursing mothers — 1000 mg;
• men at the age of 19 — 50 years — 1000 mg
• men are more senior than 50 years — 1200 mg.

The national institute of health (NIH) recommends to accept additives with the calcium and vitamin D (helping to acquire this mineral) to those people who receive less its necessary daily dose, including women with a triad and female sportswomen. If at your ration there is a calcium quantity, don't accept all dose in 1200 or 1000 mg in the form of additive. Too larger dosages can promote formation of stones in kidneys.

Before accepting calcium drugs, it is necessary to consult with the doctor as process of an absorption of this element in a blood in digestive tract is very difficult, it depends on many circumstances - age, illnesses which are available for the person, acidity of a gastric juice, availability of vitamin D in an organism, a condition of hormonal system, etc.

I address to women: if at you irregular monthly, the monthly cycle is broken or stop monthly on the eve of the competition, you have to address the good expert in sports medicine or the gynecologist familiar with your sport. The termination of production of estrogen at young age can significantly affect health of osteal system. And in this case there is a probability of development of an osteoporosis at the earliest stages.

Side effects

Scientists from John Hopkins's university reported "attention" that use of additives which contain calcium in the structure is destructive affects heart. At the same time, the research showed that natural products in which there is calcium, on the contrary, are useful to an organism.

As authors of work consider, the excess amount of calcium in a human body leads to formation of processes, is destructive influencing heart. Conclusions are drawn after the long experiments which continued 10 years. Following the results of research specialists concluded that calcium not for all 100% is removed from an organism, especially at people in old age. Thus, calcium in soft fabrics, including arteries and even an aorta. Scientists considered data of patients aged from 45 up to 84 years. Within the work scientists used medical information of 2742 patients who answered questions of the food and accepted by dietary supplement. The smallest risk of cardiovascular diseases appeared at those people who consumed calcium in the natural form — with cottage cheese, greens and other products.

Substances influencing calcium homeostasis

In a cage at rest concentration of free ions of Sa2 + makes 0,1 microns. Increase in concentration on 10 microns at excitement leads to reduction of muscle cells (electromechanical interface), in gland cells to devastation of vesicles (electro-secretory interface). At achievement of balance of concentration of Sa2 + in and out of a cage become equal; partially calcium is connected with proteins of plasma of blood. Connecting to phosphate, Sa2 + it is besieged in the form of gidroksilappatit (a mineralization of bones). Osteoclasts are called "cage mi-devourers". They destroy bones and release Sa2+. Minor changes of extracellular concentration of Sa2 + can influence physiological functions, for example, at decrease in concentration of Sa2 + excitability of skeletal muscles (a spasm sharply increases at a hyperventilation). Constant extracellular concentration of Sa2 + is maintained by three hormones.

Hormone vitamin D (cholecalciferol) can be formed in a skin of a 7-degidrokholesterin under the influence of ultraviolet rays. In case of insufficient insolation administration of vitamin C nutrition is necessary (for example, to include in a ration an offal — a liver). Vitamin D is formed by a double hydroxylation: in a liver — in position 25 (capydiferol) and in kidneys — in position 1 (calcitriol = vitamin D). The hydroxylation in situation 1 depends on a homeostasis of Sa2 + and is stimulated with a parathormone, and also depression of concentration of Sa2 + and Natrii phosphases in a blood. Vitamin D strengthens an absorption of Sa2 + and Natrii phosphases in an intestine and the return absorption in kidneys. When rising concentration of Sa2 + and Natrii phosphases in a blood adjournment of a gidroksilapatit in bones amplifies. At deficiency of vitamin D the mineralization in bones is weakened (a rachitis, osteomalacy).

Therapeutic value of vitamin D: replacement therapy. At diseases of a liver it is prescribed calcifediol, at pathology of kidneys — calcitriol. Among vitamin D <25-OH - vitamin D <1,25-di-gidroksi-vitamin D efficiency grows, i.e. the effect occurs quicker, and stops later. At an overdosage the hypercalcemia with adjournment of Sa2 salts + in tissues, especially in kidneys and in vessels develops: calcification.

The polypeptide a parathormone is allocated from parathyroid glands at depression of concentration of Sa2 + in a blood. It activates osteoclasts and causes an osteolysis; in kidneys strengthens the return absorption of Sa2+, at the same time increases secretion of Natrii phosphases. When dropping concentration of Natrii phosphases in a blood ability of Sa2 + to a deposition in bones decreases. At a failure of a parathormone for replacement therapy prescribe vitamin D which unlike a parathormone is effective at oral administration. Drug teriparatide is received by genetic engineering methods; it represents derivative a parathormone with the shortened chain that is necessary for a svyazaniye with receptors. It can be applied at therapy of an osteoporosis in the period of a postmenopause and leads to restoration of bone tissues. Unlike a hyperparathyreosis in this case this drug was unexpectedly effective that, apparently, is caused by a special route of administration: the daily subcutaneous injection which causes "shock" effect becomes. Besides, enough Sa2 + and vitamin D has to be entered into an organism.

Treatment of hypercalcemia:

1) 0,9% NaCI solution with furosemide-> increase in removal of Sa2 + kidneys;

2) inhibitor of osteoklast a calcitonin or êëîäðîíàò (áèôîñôîíàò) -" reduction of binding of Sa2 + in bones;

3) glucocorticoids.