Calcium

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body with 99% of it being found in your bones. It readily binds with phosphorus to create Calcium Phosphate, the main ingredient for bones, teeth, and enamel. There is a significant amount of calcium found in your muscles cells as well, especially the heart. Without Calcium, the Heart could not keep a consistent rhythm and arteries would become tight. Calcium also plays a major role in enzymatic functions and the overall chemical nature of our bodies. 

Bone and Teeth
When we consume calcium it is absorbed through the intestines with the help of Vitamin D and sulfur. Once in the bloodstream, the majority of it binds with Phosphorus and is stored as bone crystals. In order for our bones to maintain their strength, we must intake a consistent amount of dietary Calcium. When the body senses a lack of Calcium in the blood, it releases something called the Parathyroid Hormone (PTH). In the case that the blood has insufficient Calcium levels, the PTH is released to stimulate the bones to release Calcium. PTH also influences the kidneys to excrete less urine and more activated Vitamin D, which enables the digestive track to absorb more Calcium from the diet. If there is too much Calcium in the blood the Thyroid will release Calcitonin which will slow the breakdown of bone, and allows the kidneys to excrete the excess Calcium. (1)

Weight Loss
The correct concentration of Calcium in the blood also helps in maintaining a proper body weight. When blood calcium levels are low, Parathyroid Hormone is released to influence your bones to put calcium back into the bloodstream as to regulate calcium levels. The thing about PTH is that it also stimulates the body to store fat. If Calcium intake is consistently low, the body will gain weight and bones will become brittle.  

Heart and Blood
Roughly half the calcium found in the blood is bound to proteins, whereas the other half is found in its’ Ionized form ( Ca2+). Much like the other electrolytes in the blood, Calcium travels in and out of cells through a gradient. It goes where it is needed in order to provide the energy or voltage required for neural transmission and muscular contraction. It is especially important in the heart. The calcium gradient along with other electrolyte gradients are what ensure a normal consistent heartbeat.

Calcium also plays a vital role in blood clotting. When we cut ourselves platelets from inside the body are exposed to  Calcium and collagen. This interaction stimulates a cascade of processes which results in the formation of a tightly sealed wound. Calcium's role in wound healing is to activate something called protein kinase C, which through other reactions increases the affinity to the integrin membrane to bind with fibrinogen. Fibrinogen is a glycoprotein that gets converted to Fibrin which then helps to close the broken blood vessels and stop bleeding. (2)

Enzyme Function
Once Caclium has entered a cell, it begins to regulate the effects of enzymes and proteins. Enzymes are mainly proteins that act as catalysts. A catalyst is something that accelerates chemical reactions in the body, allowing a reaction to take place at normal temperatures and without detriment to the organism.  Almost all metabolic processes in the body are reliant upon these catalysts to sustain life. Calcium is what would be referred to an activator meaning that it helps to turn on enzymes. It will usually first join up with a protein intermediary and create calmodulin. Once this has happened, it can join with a variety of different cellular targets and alter their structure This, in turn, determines their function. Without these enzymes, and Calcium's role as an activator, the body would not be able to make these reactions happen fast enough to sustain life.(3,4)

​Nervous system and Brain
In order for the muscles to contract, they need to receive a signal from the nervous system. This signal comes as an electrical potential carried by Calcium. When your mind tells your body to move, Calcium ions are released from the nervous system, which then stimulate activator proteins which influence the sodium-potassium pump to shift the electrical potential of the cell. Calcium is also stored in Neurons and is the main cause for the release of neurotransmitters. It is now understood that Calcium plays a major role in the development and maintence of the brain, especially during the early stages of life. Research suggests that Calcium deficiencies significantly increase the chances for mental retardations and autism in newborns.(5) 

​Mood and Emotions
Normally, at nerve endings, it is calcium that is released to stimulate a muscle contraction. But, in the brain, heart, and gut, when a nervous system, response trigger Calcium, in turn, triggers the release of a neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitter function plays a major role in the way we think, store memories/information, mood, digestion, hormone production, and our general experience of self. When Calcium deficiency is prevalent, the body cannot communicate across neuronal synapses appropriately. Without proper communication between the nervous system, organs, and cells, the body cannot regulate its necessary functions and health begins to decline. 

Signs and Symptoms of Calcium Deficiency or Excess

Deficiency:
Low Calcium levels in the body are referred to as Hypocalcaemia. The majority of Calcium deficiencies stem from a lack of Magnesium and Sulfur. Low Magnesium can lead to hypothyroidism and low Vitamin D levels. Without Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Sulfur, Calcium cannot be properly absorbed or utilized. Poor diet, alcohol/drug abuse, prescription drugs, chelation therapy, and cancer can all assist in creating a Calcium deficiency. Symptoms of low calcium levels include:   

Muscles ache and twitch
Cramps and spasms
Osteoporosis
Loose teeth
Tooth sensitivity
Gum diseases
Insomnia
Premenstrual cramps
Tetany
Hypertension
Arthritis
Mental confusion, irritability, depression, and anxiety
Tooth decay
Insufficient blood clotting
Bone fractures
Growth and development delays in children
Heart problems involving blood pressure and heart rhythms.  

Excess:
Hypercalcemia is when your body has too much Calcium. 90% of hypercalcemia cases occur due to hyperparathyroidism. This can occur from the presence of tumors/cancers, Multiple myelomas, aluminum toxicity, or too much Vitamin D in the system. Symptoms can include:

Abdominal pain 
Bone pain 
Confusion 
Depression
Weakness
Kidney stones
Abnormal heart rhythm 
Cardiac arrest
Nausea and Vomiting
Coma 
Anorexia
Constipation
Increased Heart rate

Consistently working with the Immortal Minerals Cell Salt Formula can help balance mineral levels and bring health back to its optimum potentials. 

Immortal Minerals Cell Salt Formula

$25.00 - $200.00

A perfect cell salt formula.

12 Essential Salts supersaturated into living spring water in the ratios that your cells prefer.


Add 1 full dropper to 32oz of water and drink 1-3x a day.

*1oz vials tends to last one individual  3-4 weeks. Time is decreased if shared. 

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Resources:
1.https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/hormonal-and-metabolic-disorders/electrolyte-balance/overview-of-calcium-s-role-in-the-body
2. http://www.bloodjournal.org/content/bloodjournal/52/4/654.full.pdf?sso-checked=true
3.http://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.1000427
​4. http://www.jbc.org/content/278/26/23834.full
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4771444/​