The Earth’s crust is comprised of more than 4 percent calcium. This makes calcium the fifth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, and the fifth most dissolved ion in saltwater. Its chemical symbol is Ca and its atomic number is 20. Calcium is found in sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks–mainly in silicate minerals, and dolomite and gypsum.

Besides all the chemical advantages and uses that calcium is utilized for, let’s not forget what most Americans use it for every day, nutrition. Since nearly 99 percent of the human body’s calcium reserves are stored in the bones and teeth, we need to refill the supply as much as possible. Dairy foodstuffs are well known for their contributions of calcium to the human body. Some are lactose intolerant and cannot consume large quantities of dairy products. For these people soy milk, oranges and even seaweed can be a great way to get the needed calcium their body needs.
When people think of calcium supplements, they usually think of using them to maintain bone mass and fight osteoporosis, and to promote overall bone health, healthy hair and nails and strong teeth. Calcium also helps you maintain strong muscles and promotes a healthy nervous system. However, calcium benefits go far beyond just maintaining strong bones. Read on to learn additional reasons to eat foods rich in calcium and/or to use calcium supplements.

Calcium health benefits go far beyond helping you to maintain healthy bones. For instance, calcium supplements such as Tums (calcium carbonate) have been clinically proven to help women coping with such PMS symptoms as PMS mood swings, PMS cramps, PMS depression, and other disruptive PMS symptoms.

Consuming calcium supplements and/or low fat and non fat foods rich in calcium have also been proven to help with weight loss and/or weight control . (Some calcium-rich foods include low fat milk, low fat yogurt, low fat cheese, calcium-fortified orange juice, figs, black strap molasses, sesame seeds, cooked broccoli, collard greens and sardines.)

People who consume enough calcium (either in their food or by taking calcium supplements or by using a combination of both) are less likely to have high blood pressure  than people who do not consume adequate amounts of calcium.

Calcium also appears to play a role in fighting colon cancer and the development of polyps in the colon. Scientists do not fully understand the role of calcium in colon cancer prevention, but there is evidence of a link that scientists will continue to explore further.

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