Cal-Mag Plus Fizz by Baywood

 What does Calcium do?

Calcium is the most abundant, essential mineral in the human body. Of the two to three pounds of calcium contained in the average body, 99% is located in the bones and teeth. Calcium is needed to form bones and teeth and is also required for blood clotting, transmission of signals in nerve cells, and muscle contraction. The importance of calcium for preventing osteoporosis is probably its most well-known role.

Although calcium plays at least some minor role in lowering blood pressure, the mechanisms involved appear complex and somewhat unclear.¹ The level of calcium in the blood is tightly regulated by parathyroid hormone (PTH), and low intake of calcium causes elevations in PTH, which in turn have been implicated in the development of hypertension.² High calcium intake has also been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women.³

By reducing absorption of oxalate,⁴ a substance found in many foods, calcium may be able to indirectly reduce the risk of kidney stones.⁵ However, people with a history of kidney stones must talk with a doctor before supplementing with calcium because such supplementation might actually increase the risk of forming stones for the small number of people who absorb too much calcium.

Calcium also appears to partially bind some fats and cholesterol in the gastrointestinal tract. Perhaps as a result, some research suggests that calcium supplementation may help lower cholesterol levels.⁶

Animal studies have established a role of calcium in the development of female egg cells (oocytes).^{7 8} Although the precise role of calcium is unclear, some researchers speculate that future studies may identify important uses for calcium in conditions of the human ovary, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).⁹

Through a variety of mechanisms, calcium may have anticancer actions within the colon. Most preliminary studies have shown high calcium diets are associated with reduced colon cancer risk.¹⁰ Most,^{11 12 13} but not all,¹⁴ preliminary studies have found taking calcium supplements to also be associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer or precancerous conditions in the colon. One preliminary study reported that high dietary, but not supplemental, calcium intake was associated with a decreased risk of precancerous changes in the colon.¹⁵ In double-blind studies, calcium supplementation has significantly protected against precancerous changes in the colon in some,^{16 17} but not all, studies.^{18 19}

Warning: Calcium supplements should be avoided by prostate cancer patients.