The document provides an overview of calcium as an essential mineral in human nutrition, detailing its properties, sources, absorption mechanisms, and physiological roles such as bone mineralization, nerve conduction, and blood coagulation. It discusses the regulation of calcium homeostasis through hormones like parathyroid hormone and calcitonin, and highlights the consequences of calcium deficiency and excess. Additionally, it mentions the recommended daily intake and the impact of dietary factors on calcium bioavailability.