Multiple Physiological Processes - Nursing Assignment Help

Assignment Task

Calcium

What We Know
› Calcium (Ca) is a mineral essential for multiple physiological processes in the body. Most of the Ca in the body is integrated as hydroxyapatite into the bones to provide strength and as a dynamic repository that responds to the changing metabolic conditions and requirements of growth and tissue function. Less than 1% of the body’s total Ca circulates in the blood and other extracellular fluid (ECF), and only a minimum amount is stored in intracellular organelles. About half of the Ca present in blood is in the ionized, or free, form. Free Ca, the active form of Ca, is required for neuromuscular function, muscle contractility, and blood clotting. The remaining Ca is primarily in the bound form attached to the protein albumin(8,9,13,18)
› Action of Ca
• Ca functions in combination with vitamin D and phosphorous to build and maintain the bones and teeth, and is crucial for the prevention of osteoporosis and rickets(8,13,17)
• Ca is important in regulating the contraction of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle(8,9,13,17)
• Ca is vital to the conduction of nerve impulses(8,9,17)
• Ca activates enzymes such as glycogen phosphorylase kinase (for energy production) and adenosine triphosphatase (for muscle contraction)(8,9,17)
• Ca plays a role in blood clotting(8,9,17)
• Ca assists with vitamin B12 absorption(8,9,17)
• Ca serves to maintain the structural integrity of intracellular membranes(8,9,17)

› Dietary Sources of Ca
• Dairy (i.e., milk-based) products are very good sources of Ca. Some individuals, however, are lactose-intolerant (i.e., they lack the lactase enzyme, which is necessary
for the breakdown of lactose, the sugar in cow’s milk). In these cases, consumption of straight cow’s milk can result in abdominal discomfort and diarrhea. However, many
individuals who lack the lactase enzyme can ingest lactase-treatedmilk, take lactase supplements to aid in the digestion of dairy products, or even ingest moderate amounts of the following dairy foods without discomfort:(12,13,14,18)
–Yogurt
–Acidophilus milk
–Buttermilk
–Cheese
–Chocolate milk (cocoa appears to reduce the effect of the lactose)

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