Calcium

• Calcium is an essential mineral serving as a primary building block for strong bones and teeth.
• It supports bone development, growth, and density.
• Calcium also facilitates muscle contraction and nerve transmission.
• Supplementation ensures adequate intake for overall bone health and osteoporosis prevention.

• Molecular Formula: Ca
• IUPAC Name: Calcium
• Key Structural Features: Face-centered cubic (FCC) crystal structure; 20 protons, 20 neutrons, 20 electrons; [Ar] 4s² electron configuration; readily forms a +2 ion (Ca²⁺).
• Physical Properties: Atomic mass: 40.078 u; Density: 1.55 g/cm³; Melting point: 842 °C; Boiling point: 1484 °C; Electronegativity: 1.00.
• Chemical Properties: Highly reactive metal; readily forms +2 ion; highly soluble in water; reacts with acids; essential for biological processes.

Natural Sources:

• Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt).
• Leafy greens (broccoli, kale, spinach).
• Fortified foods (cereals, orange juice, plant-based milk).
• Mineral water.
• Seaweed (kelp, wakame).
• Bone broth.

Extraction/Synthesis Methods:

• Limestone mining.
• Calcium carbonate production (calcium oxide + carbon dioxide).
• Calcium citrate production (calcium carbonate + citric acid).
• Calcium gluconate production (calcium carbonate + gluconic acid).

Quality Considerations for Supplements:

• Bioavailability.
• Purity (heavy metal contamination).
• Form (carbonate, citrate, gluconate).
• Additives.
• Third-party testing (NSF International, ConsumerLab.com).
• Accurate label claims.