![]() As an intracellular ion, Ca 2+ serves the role of a second messenger. Within the blood over half of the Ca 2+ is free while the rest is bound to albumin or complexed with other ions such as bicarbonate and phosphate.Ĭalcium functions both intracellularly and extracellularly. Calcium concentrations in the blood are very tightly regulated within a narrow range. In addition, calcium is necessary for proper activity of a number of proteins involved in blood coagulation. In the context of Ca 2+ in secretion, the ion is required for neurotransmitter release and hormone release from a number of different tissues. Some of the most wide-spread functions for this ion are its requirements for neural signaling, cell proliferation, bone mineralization, cardiac function, muscle contraction, digestive system function, and secretory processes. Macro Minerals Calcium: Ca 2+Ĭalcium ion (Ca 2+) is an extremely critical mineral required for a vast array of biochemical processes. ![]() The following discussions of minerals and their functions is not intended to be exhaustive. The terminology of “trace” relates to the fact that these minerals are effective and necessary in only minute concentration. The minerals considered as trace minerals function primarily as cofactors or regulators of enzyme function. Minerals also serve as required cofactors for many different types of enzymes involved in a vast array of critical biochemical reactions. Minerals, as ions, serve as activators of complex biochemical reactions in most tissues with the role of calcium ions in the activation of cardiac and skeletal muscle activity being a prime example. Minerals serve as ions required for nerve impulse transmission in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The functions of the minerals are numerous and either quite broad or highly specific. This is somewhat true for minerals these are not as rigorously supplemented in prepared foods to the extent of the vitamins. Given the fact that many manufactured foods, consumed by most individuals in the developed world, are now supplemented with vitamins, deficiencies are less and less common. This is quite clear in the Vitamins page which discusses numerous, potentially lethal, consequences of vitamin deficiency. There is a clear correlation between micronutrient deficit and the development of chronic metabolic disruption. Humans must consume both macronutrients (the major sources of calories: fats, carbohydrates, proteins) and micronutrients in order to maintain virtually all metabolic and developmental processes. Minerals constitute one of two major classes of biologically critical micronutrients required for normal health and development of humans.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |