Question

Assignment: Using your text (chp 10) and your Libguide, answer the following questios: 1). What are four major functions of calcium in the body? 2). What is osteoporosis? 3). How is calcium related to osteoporosis? 4). Other than strong bones, explain four other health benefits of calcium in the body. (A sentence or two of explanation is sufficient).

Answer 1

Ans) 1) Calcium is tightly linked to many of the roles that vitamin D plays in the body. In bone health (and other physiologic systems), calcium is a key player. Calcium is a mineral that must be constantly eaten to build bone and maintain the blood level of calcium.

- It’s essential for blood clotting.

- It stabilizes blood pressure.

- It contributes to normal brain function.

- It’s critical for communicating essential information among cells.

2) Osteoporosis is a bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. As a result, bones become weak and may break from a fall or, in serious cases, from sneezing or minor bumps. Osteoporosis means “porous bone.”

3) Calcium is the healthy bone mineral. About 99 percent of the calcium in the body is stored in the bones and teeth. In older adults, especially in post-menopausal women, bone is broken down at a faster rate than it is built. If calcium intake is too low, this can contribute to osteoporosis.

4) Calcium is very essential in muscle contraction, oocyte activation, building strong bones and teeth, blood clotting, nerve impulse, transmission, regulating heart beat and fluid balance within cells.