3. CALCIUM FACTS
âȘ Soft grey alkaline earth metal
âȘ Symbol Ca
âȘ Number 20
âȘ Group II
âȘ Divalent cation
âȘ Atomic weight 40 g/mol
âȘ Single oxidation state +2
âȘ Fifth most abundant element in EarthÂŽs crust
âȘ Essential for living organisms
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4. CALCIUM HISTORY
ïLatin calx or calcis meaning âlimeâ
ïKnown as early as first century when ancient Romans
prepared lime as calcium oxide
ïIsolated in 1808 by Englishman Sir Humphrey Davy
ïElectrolyzed a mixture of lime & mercuric acid
ïIn 1883 demonstrated Sydney Ringer the biological
significance of calcium.
ïFrog hearts needed the presence of calcium in the bathing
solution in order to continue beating
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5. CALCIUM OCCURRENCE
In nature
âȘ Does not exist freely
âȘ Occurs mostly in soil systems as limestone (CaCO3), gypsum (CaSO4*2H2O) & fluorite
(CaF2)
In the body
ï§ The most abundant mineral
ï§ Average adult body contains app. 1 kg
ï§ 0,1 % in the extra cellular fluid
ï§ 1 % in the cells
ï§ The rest (app. 99 %) in the skeleton
(Bones can serve as large reservoirs, releasing calcium when extracellular fluid concentration decreases and storing
excess calcium)
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6. CALCIUM FUNCTIONS
âȘ Major structural element in the vertebrate skeleton (bones
and teeth) in the form of calcium phosphate
(Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 known as hydroxyapatatite
âȘ Key component in the maintenance of the cell structure
âȘ Membrane rigidity, permeability and viscosity are partly
dependent on local calcium concentrations
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7. CALCIUM FUNCTIONS (Bone)
âȘ Osteoclasts (bone cells)
remodel the bone by
dissolving or resorbing bone
âȘ Osteoblasts (bone forming
cells) synthesize new bone to
replace the resorbed bone
- Found on the outer surfaces of
the bones and in the bone
cavities
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8. CALCIUM FUNCTIONS
Plays important regulatory roles in the body
A passive role:
- As a cofactor for many enzymes (e.g. Lipase) and proteins
- As component in the blood clotting cascade
An active role: as an intracellular signal
- In the relaxation and constriction of blood vessels
- In cell aggregation and movement
- In muscle protein degradation
- In secretion of hormones as insulin
- In cell division
- In nerve impulse transmission
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9. INTERACTIONS
âȘ Phosphate: â calcium excretion in the urine
âȘ Caffeine: â urinary and fecal excretion of calcium
âȘ Sodium: â sodium intake, â loss of calcium in urine
âȘ Dietary constituents: Phytic acid can reduce absorption of calcium by
forming an insoluble salt (calcium phytate)
âȘ Iron: calcium might have inhibitory effect on iron absorption
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10. ABSORPTION AND EXCRETION FACTORS
âȘ Absorption increased by:
- Body need
- Vitamin D
- Protein
- Lactose
- Acid medium
âȘ Absorption decreased by:
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Calcium-phosphorus
imbalance
- Oxalic acid
- Phosphorous
- Dietary fiber
- Excessive fat
- High alkalinity
- Also stresses and lack of
exercise
âȘ Excretion increased by:
- Low parathyroid hormone (PTH)
- High extracellular fluid volume
- High blood pressure
- Low plasma phosphate
- Metabolic alkalosis
âȘ Excretion decreased by:
- High parathyroid hormone
- Low extracellular fluid volume
- Low blood pressure
- High plasma phosphate
- Metabolic acidosis
- Vitamin D3
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11. Calcium needed by the body for:
1. The formation and maintenance of bone and teeth,
2. Coagulation of blood,
3. Regulation of neuromuscular irritability and
4. Muscular contractility.
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12. SOURCE
ïMilk and milk products are main source of calcium.
ïFish, vegetable, fruits, cereals (ragi rich in calcium) and
drinking water are other sources.
ïGreen leafy vegetables are the cheapest natural source
of calcium but the bio availability of calcium is poor.
ïAvailability of calcium from a good source like milk is
adversely affected by the simultaneous consumption of
green leafy vegetable.
ïRecommended in take of calcium (adult)
â 400 â500 mg / day.
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13. Doctrine of signature
âȘ The remedy is prepared from the middle layers of inner part of
the oyster shell. Thus one of the features of calcarea is
protection and withdrawal. They withdraw and make a
protective layer around them.
âȘ Another strong aspect of Calcarea is anxiety and fear. There is
a theme of insecurity. The fears & anxieties centre around
issues such as money, health. When these basic aspects are not
secure, they develop strong despair.
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14. Contd.
Calcium gluconate (Ca(C6H11O7)2) is used as a food additive and in vitamin pills.
Calcium hypochlorite (Ca(OCl)2) is used as a swimming pool disinfectant, as a
bleaching agent, as an ingredient in deodorant, and in algaecide and fungicide.
Calcium permanganate (Ca(MnO4)2) is used in liquid rocket propellant, textile
production, as a water sterilizing agent and in dental procedures.
Calcium phosphate (Ca3(PO4)2) is used as a supplement for animal feed, fertilizer, in
commercial production for dough and yeast products, in the manufacture of glass,
and in dental products.
Calcium stearate (Ca(C18H35O2)2) is used in the manufacture of wax crayons,
cements, certain kinds of plastics and cosmetics, as a food additive, in the
production of water resistant materials and in the production of paints.
Calcium sulfate (CaSO4·2H2O) is used as common blackboard chalk, as well as, in its
hemihydrate form better known as Plaster of Paris.
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15. CALCAREA GROUP
ï§ Insecurity feeling ,very uncertain about themselves, constantly worrying
about what other will think about them; a confused state of mind
ï§ Constantly comparing themselves with others, ( but not openly)
ï§ Different forms of fear due to insecurity feeling
ï§ These situation leads to protection and withdrawal
ï§ Calcarea group drugs indicated in persons coming from a protected
individuals and one who desires stability
ï§ obesity
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16. âȘ Homoeopathic Medicines made out of Calcium compounds and their preparation, properties and
clinical indications
âȘ According to Mendeleef, Calcarea comes under group 2A
âȘ ALKALINE EARTH GROUP â
1. Beryllium
2. Magnesium
3. Calcarea
4. Strontium
5. Barium
6. Radium
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17. General characters of alkaline earth group medicines:
âȘ Mental character â Sluggish,
Indolent, Anxious
âȘ Aggravation from cold (Chilly
patient)
âȘ Predominantly tubercular
âȘ Involvement of nervous system and
endocrine system
âȘ Oedema
18. Calcarea Carb.
Clinical
Abdominal
Disorders
Acidity
Bone Affection
Glandular
Affections
Respiratory
Troubles
Common Name- Carbonate of lime
or Middle Layer of Oyster Shell
ï±Constitution:
âąâLEUCOPHLEGMATICâ
âąSuited to Fair, Fatty and Flabby Patient who
becomes easily fatigued.
âąLarge Heads, Open Fontanelles and Sutures
ï±Thermal:
âąChilly Patient
ï±Miasm
âąPsora and Sycosis
ï±Diathesis
âąScrofulous, Rachitic and Tubercular
Diathesis.
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19. Pathogenesis:
Calcarea carb. produces impairment in nutrition
of various organs, particularly bones.
Alteration in composition of blood with chief
action on skin and bones.
20. Guiding Symptoms
âą Great Sensitiveness to take cold.
âą Disposed to grow fat.
âą Head sweats profusely, while sleeping wetting the pillow far
around.
âą Coldness in general and the single part.
âą Feels better in every way when constipated. Stool has to be
removed mechanically.
âą Excellent remedy for polypi and exostosis.
âą All discharges smell sour eg, vomitus, diarrhoea, sweat etc.
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21. Contd.
âȘ Longing for eggs especially during
sickness. Craves un-digestible
things.
âȘ Has aversion to meat.
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22. General Modalities
âȘ Aggravation:
Cold air and water, wet weather, from washing, in morning, during full
moon.
âȘ Amelioration:
Lying on painful side.
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23. Contd.
âȘ Kent says:
ïŒ Sulphur has heat in patches, Calcarea has cold in patches and
sweat also in patches.
ïŒCalcarea grows and cures polypi.
ïŒCalcarea babies are always more or less wormy.
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