CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM

Done by: Melissa Adams

Sharmela Brijmohan
 CALCIUM
• Atomic number:20

• Atomic mass: 40.078

• It is the most abundant mineral in the body.

Benefits of adequate calcium throughout life may include:

– Prevention of osteoporosis

– Lowered blood pressure

– A lower incidence of colon cancer

– Weight maintenance
Benefits of adequate calcium throughout life

• Bones and teeth contain 99 percent of all calcium in the body.

The other 1 percent is distributed within cells and in body
fluids, such as the blood. This small percentage is extremely
important in maintaining body functions, including:

• Clotting of blood after injury

• Nerve conduction
• Muscle contraction
• Enzyme regulation
• Control of blood pressure
HIGH CALCIUM GOOD CALCIUM OTHER CALCIUM
SOURCES SOURCES CONTAINING FOODS
SOURCES OF CALCIUM
Contain 200 mg or Contain 100-190 mg Contain less than 100
more of calcium per calcium per serving mg calcium per serving
and include foods such
serving and include and include foods as
foods such as such as cottage cheese,
almonds, dried beans,
milk, yogurt, hard ice cream, custard, eggs, mustard greens,
cheeses, canned tofu, spinach, and broccoli, carrots,
oranges, orange juice,
salmon and sardines turnip greens. figs, dates, raisins, corn
with the bones, and tortillas, pancakes, and
blackstrap molasses. molasses.
Some of the foods in the
“other” group can be
significant contributors
to total calcium intake
when eaten frequently
as some foods are
fortified with calcium
Recommended Daily value of Calcium
AGE MALE FEMALE PREGNANT LACTATING

Birth to 6 months 210 mg 210 mg

7-12 months 270 mg 270 mg
1-3 years 500 mg 500 mg
4-8 years 800 mg 800 mg
9-13 years 1,300 mg 1,300 mg
14-18 years 1,300 mg 1,300 mg
19-50 years 1,000 mg 1,000 mg 1,300 mg 1,300 mg
50+ years 1,200 mg 1,200 mg 1,000 mg 1,000 mg
 
 METABOLISM OF CALCIUM( CALCIUM
HOMEOSTASIS)

• Calcium Homeostasis is an important mechanism

adapted by body cells to keep normal levels in order
for metabolic and physiologic functions to be carried
out. The mechanism utilizes hormones, blood, and
receptor cells. Regulation is important to prevent
Hypercalcaemia (high calcium levels) and
Hypocalcaemia (low calcium levels)
 METABOLISM OF CALCIUM( CALCIUM
HOMEOSTASIS)
• FUNCTION OF CALCITONIN

• Calcitonin is a hormone that controls the calcium concentration in the body by

maintaining a proper calcium level in the bloodstream and is secreted from the
parafollicular cells of the Thyroid gland.

• Calcitonin decreases the reabsorption of calcium and phosphate from the bones to
the blood thereby lowering blood levels of these minerals.  This function of
calcitonin helps maintain normal blood levels of these minerals while helping to
maintain a strong bone matrix.

• Hypercalcaemia triggers the stimulation of calcitonin and means that no more

calcium will be removed from the bones until there is a real need for more calcium
in the blood. The ability to decrease blood calcium levels at least in part by effects
on two well-studied target organs:
 METABOLISM OF CALCIUM( CALCIUM
HOMEOSTASIS)
• FUNCTION OF CALCITONIN

• Bone: Calcitonin suppresses resorption of bone by inhibiting

the activity of osteoclasts, (a cell type that "digests" bone
matrix, releasing calcium and phosphorus into blood.)

• Kidney: Calcium and phosphorus are prevented from being

lost in urine by reabsorption in the kidney tubules.
Calcitonin inhibits tubular reabsorption of these two ions,
leading to increased rates of their loss in urine
 METABOLISM OF CALCIUM( CALCIUM
HOMEOSTASIS)
• FUNCTION OF PARATHORMONE
• Parathyroid Hormone is secreted from the
Parathyroid glands located behind the Thyroid gland
and its effects are antagonistic to Calcitonin.
• It is secreted in response to low blood calcium levels
and it' affect is to increase those levels.  
• In conjunction with increasing calcium concentration,
the concentration of phosphate ion in blood is
reduced
 METABOLISM OF CALCIUM( CALCIUM
HOMEOSTASIS)
•FUNCTION OF PARATHORMONE

• Parathyroid hormone accomplishes its job by stimulating at least three processes:

–Mobilization of calcium from bone: PTH increases the stimulation of the number and the size of specialized
bone cells called osteoclasts.  Bone calcium is bonded to phosphorus in a compound that is called calcium
phosphate.  So when calcium is released into the bloodstream, phosphorus is released along with it...

–Enhancing absorption of calcium from the small intestine: Facilitating calcium absorption from the small
intestine would clearly serve to elevate blood levels of calcium. PTH stimulates this process, but indirectly by
stimulating production of the active form of vitamin D in the kidney. Vitamin D induces synthesis of a
calcium-binding protein in intestinal epithelial cells that facilitates efficient absorption of calcium into blood.

Suppression of calcium loss in urine: In addition to stimulating fluxes of calcium into blood from
bone and intestine, PTH puts a brake on excretion of calcium in urine, thus conserving calcium in blood. This
effect is mediated by stimulating tubular reabsorption of calcium. Another effect of PTH on the kidney is to
stimulate loss of phosphate ions in urine
 METABOLISM OF CALCIUM( CALCIUM
HOMEOSTASIS)
• FUNCTION OF PARATHORMONE

• Hypoparathyroidism or insufficient secretion of PTH leads to increased

nerve excitability.  The low blood calcium levels trigger spontaneous and
continuous nerve impulses, which trigger muscle contraction.

• Hyperparathyroidism or and excessive secretion of PTH leads to an

increase in the osteoclast activity that removes calcium from the bones
and excretes it into the bloodstream.  This increase in calcium in the blood
may lead to kidney stones or a buildup of mineral deposits that can be
found in abnormal places.  It may also lead to a bone disease called osteitis
fibrosa cystica where the bone mass decreases, decalcification occurs, cyst
like cavities appear in the bone and spontaneous fractures result.
 25- Hydroxycholecalciferol
plants  ergocalciferol catalyzed by the liver 25- OH-D3
animals  cholecalciferol by a specific hydroxylase
Main storage form of Vitamin D

25-hydroxycholecalciferol
1-hydroxylase
1, 25- Dihydroxycholecalciferol utilizing Cytochrome P450, NADPH, molecular
1, 25- diOH-D3 oxygen

Stimulated Inhibited

PTH, PHOSPHORUS 1- 25, diOH D3

CLINICALAPPLICATIONS:
CLINICAL APPLICATIONS:

Vitamin D deficiency causes a net demineralization of bone resulting in:

Vitamin D deficiency causes a net demineralization of bone resulting in:
Rickets in children: continued formation of collagen matrix of bone,
Rickets inmineralization,
incomplete children: continued
resulting in softformation
pliable bonesof collagen matrix of bone,
incomplete
Osteomalacia mineralization,
in adults: demineralizationresulting in bone
of pre-existing softincreases
pliablesusceptibility
bones
to fractures
Osteomalacia in adults:
Chronic Kidney Failure Leads to demineralization
damage of the enzyme toofconvert
pre-existing bone
inactive Vitamin D toincreases
Active form in order for calcium to be absorbed.
susceptibility to fractures
Chronic Kidney Failure Leads to damage of the enzyme to convert inactive
 MAGNESIUM
• Atomic number: 12
• Atomic mass: 24.3050
• Magnesium is a critical co-factor in more than 300 enzymatic
reactions in the human body.
• Potassium and magnesium are the most abundant cations
found within the cells of the body with magnesium being the
most abundant divalent cation
• If a diet is high in phosphorus (common in many meat dishes
as lunch meats, hot dogs, etc. and also in soda drinks), the
phosphate binds up the magnesium into magnesium
phosphate, which isn't absorbed. Thus you need more
magnesium for complete balance
 MAGNESIUM
• In disease and stress states, more magnesium is needed. If a person is using diuretics
(water pills), he should make sure his magnesium intake is adequate. Potassium
supplementation is usually needed also. The higher the protein you consume, the
more magnesium is needed. When large amounts of calcium are consumed, you need
more magnesium.

• Normal development apparently depends on the presence of magnesium.

Approximately 70 percent of the magnesium in the body is found in the skeletal
system. At least half of the magnesium in the body is combined with calcium and
phosphorus in the bones. The remainder is in the muscles, red blood cells and the
other tissues of the body.

• Magnesium ensures the strength and firmness of the bones, and it makes the teeth
harder. Adequate intake of magnesium counteracts acidity, poor circulation and
glandular disorders. Children with magnesium deficiency are very often mentally
backward.
 FUNCTIONS OF MAGNESIUM

– Needed for the proper functioning of muscles and

nerves (inhibitory to muscle contraction).
– Activates cellular enzymatic activity.
– Important for calcium, vitamin C, phosphorus,
sodium and potassium metabolism.
– Important for converting blood sugar into energy.
– Anti-stress
 BENEFITS OF MAGNESIUM
–Magnesium also is vital for maintaining a healthy heart.
–Magnesium helps stabilize the rhythm of the heart and helps prevent
abnormal blood clotting in the heart.
–Magnesium also aids in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.
–Magnesium is useful in preventing unwanted calcification in the kidney,
bladder and in the joints.
–The mineral magnesium can significantly lower the chance of heart
attacks and strokes, and can even aid in the recovery from a heart attack
or stroke.
–Magnesium also helps maintain proper muscle function. It works to keep
muscles properly relaxed. Because of its benefits in relieving stiff muscles,
magnesium can be especially beneficial to fibromyalgia patients.
 SOURCES OF MAGNESIUM
FOOD MILLIGRAMS (mg) % DV
Halibut, cooked, 3 ounces 90 20
Almonds, dry roasted, 1 ounce 80 20
Cashews, dry roasted, 1 ounce 75 20
Soybeans, mature, cooked, ½ cup 75 20
Spinach, frozen, cooked, ½ cup 75 20
Nuts, mixed, dry roasted, 1 ounce 65 15
Cereal, shredded wheat, 2 55 15
rectangular biscuits
Oatmeal, instant, fortified, prepared 55 15
w/ water, 1 cup
Potato, baked w/ skin, 1 medium 50 15
Peanuts, dry roasted, 1 ounce 50 15
 SOURCES OF MAGNESIUM
FOOD MILLIGRAMS( mg) % DV
Wheat Bran, crude, 2 Tablespoons 45 10
Black-eyed Peas, cooked, ½ cup 45 10
Yogurt, plain, skim milk, 8 fluid ounces 45 10
Bran Flakes, ½ cup 40 10
Vegetarian Baked Beans, ½ cup 40 10
Rice, brown, long-grained, cooked, ½ 40 10
cup
Lentils, mature seeds, cooked, ½ cup 35 8
Avocado, California, ½ cup pureed 35 8
Kidney Beans, canned, ½ cup 35 8
Pinto Beans, cooked, ½ cup 35 8
Wheat Germ, crude, 2 Tablespoons 35 8
Chocolate milk, 1 cup 33 8
Banana, raw, 1 medium 30 8
 RECOMMENDED DAILY ALLOWANCE OF MAGNESIUM
LIFE STAGE AGE MALES mg/day FEMALES mg/day

Infants 0 – 6 months 30 (AI) 30 (AI)

Infants 7 – 12 months 75 (AI) 75(AI)
Children 1 – 3 years 80 80
Children 4 – 8 years 130 130
Children 9 – 13 years 240 240
Adolescents 14 – 18 years 410 360
Adults 19 – 30 years 400 310
Adults 31 years & older 420 320
Pregnancy 18 years & younger - 400
Pregnancy 19 – 30 years - 350
Pregnancy 31 years & older - 360
Breast Feeding 18 years & younger - 360
Breast Feeding 19 – 30 years - 310
Breast Feeding 31 years & older - 320
 METABOLISM OF MAGNESIUM( MAGNESIUM
HOMEOSTASIS)

– Four types of glands are involved in magnesium homeostasis:

medullary-adrenal, parathyroid, medullary-thyroid and the beta
cells of the islets of Langerhans

– It is interesting to note that the three types of glands that control

calcium and potassium metabolism (medullary-thyroid. parathyroid
and the beta pancreas) exercise in parallel fashion added regulatory
effects on magnesium metabolism

– The absorption of magnesium from the intestines may be influenced

by
• the parathyroid hormone,
• the condition of the intestines
• the rate of water absorption, and the amounts of calcium, phosphate and
lactose (milk sugar) in the body
 METABOLISM OF MAGNESIUM( MAGNESIUM
HOMEOSTASIS)

– There are about 19 g of Mg in the average 70 kg adult body, of

which approximately 65%
is found in bone and teeth, and the rest is distributed between the
blood, body fluids, organs and other tissue

– Over half of the body’s magnesium is stored in the bone, about 1%

is found in extracellular fluid (20-30% bound to protein; the rest
free) and the rest is in soft tissues, particularly muscle. The kidney
controls the homeostasis of magnesium.

– Extracellular magnesium in serum is 33% protein bound, 12%

complexed to anions, and 55% in the free ionized form. At the
cellular level, magnesium appears to influence the properties of
various cell membranes; this process is thought to occur by means
of calcium channels and ion transport mechanisms.
 METABOLISM OF MAGNESIUM( MAGNESIUM
HOMEOSTASIS)

– Calcium flux is inhibited by magnesium from sarcolemmal membranes,

through competition for binding sites on actin and via changes in the
adenylate cyclase-cyclic AMP system. The next known physiologic role
of magnesium involving cell membranes pertains specifically to its
interrelationship with the sodium-potassium-ATPase pump.

– At the cellular level, magnesium also serves as a cofactor for many

intracellular enzymes that generate energy via hydrolysis of ATP. It is
also involved in DNA transcription and protein synthesis. Magnesium is
responsible for the maintenance of transmembrane gradients of
sodium and potassium.

– ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the main source of energy in cells, must

be bound to a magnesium ion in order to be biologically active.
 METABOLISM OF MAGNESIUM( MAGNESIUM
HOMEOSTASIS)

– Magnesium plays a role in the stability of all

polyphosphate compounds in the cells, including those
associated with DNA and RNA synthesis.

– Magnesium depletion depresses both cellular and

extracellular potassium and exacerbates the effects of low-
potassium diets on cellular potassium content. Muscle
potassium becomes depleted as magnesium deficiency
develops, and tissue repletion of potassium is virtually
impossible unless magnesium status is restored to normal.
 METABOLISM OF MAGNESIUM( MAGNESIUM
HOMEOSTASIS)

– Calcium and magnesium belong to a group of

"parasympathetic" elements (which includes chromium
and copper), that exhibit anti-inflammatory or
degenerative properties at higher amounts, in contrast
to elements such as potassium or iron, which are pro-
inflammatory when high:
  INFLAMMATORY DEGENERATIVE
  <---------------------------------------Ca, Cu, Mg, Cr ------------------------>
LOW AMOUNTS HIGH AMOUNTS

• Adequate Vitamin D levels will assist intestinal

absorption of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus
 METABOLISM OF MAGNESIUM(MAGNESIUM
HOMEOSTASIS)
• UNDERSTANDING NEUROENDOCRINE FEEDBACK

• Magnesium deficit (MD) falling short of the amount) directly causes a reduced
production of cAMP in the cell, probably by inhibition of Mg-dependent
adenylate cyclase. (cAMP acts as a second messenger system under the
stimulation of the autonomic nervous sytem)

• The organism responds by stimulation of the presynaptic sympathetic fibers

(and of the medullary-adrenal glands which produce catecholamines (especially
noradrenalin) which in turn stimulate the cAMP-responsive beta receptors.

• Magnesium overload (MO), like an excess of catecholamines, directly causes an

increased production of cAMP in the cell, probably by stimulation of adenylate cyclase
UNDERSTANDING THE NEUROENDOCRINE FEEDBACK

• The organism reacts by slowing the response of the

sympathetic fibers and of the medullary-adrenal glands
which inhibits production of catecholamines and
therefore of cAMP.

• Excess secretion of adrenaline/ noradrenalin

(epinephrine/norepinephrine) ultimately stimulates
adrenergic receptors (α1 &2, β1&2) which then
activates enzymes such as adenylate cyclase or
phospholipase C.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
• PAMELA C. CHAMPE, RICHARD A. HENRY & DENISE R. FERRIER, Lippincott’s Illustrated
Reviews, Biochemistry 4th Edition, 2008, R.R Donnelley & Sons, Philadelphia USA
• LINDA S. COSTANZO, PHYSIOLOGY 3RD EDITION, 2006, Saunders-Elsevier, Philadelphia USA
•  Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Calcium <http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/calcium.asp>
(2009/08/11)
• Calcium (2009/07/09) <http://www.dhss.mo.gov/Calcium/> (2009/08/11)
• Endocrine System 1 for Medical Assistants
<http://www.maexamhelp.com/id94.htm>(2009/08/10)
• Calcitonin<http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/thyroid/calcitonin.
html>(2009/08/10)
• Parathyroid Hormone
<http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/thyroid/pth.html>
(2009/08/10)
• MICHAEL B. SCHACHTER 1996
<http://www.mbschachter.com/importance_of_magnesium_to_human.htm> (2009/08/10)
• On the importance of Magnesium,DR.H.RAY EVERS, 2008/05/20,
<http://www.chelationtherapyonline.com/anatomy/p61.htm> (2009/08/10)
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Benefits of Magnesium, ELIZABETH WALLING, <http://health.learninginfo.org/benefits-of-
magnesium.htm> (2009/08/10)
• Function of Magnesium in the body
<http://hubpages.com/hub/Function_of_Magnesium_in_the_Body> (2009/08/10)
• Food sources of Magnesium< http://www.hoptechno.com/bookfoodsourcemg.htm> (2009/08/10)
• Magnesium, <http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/magnesium.asp> (2009/08/10)
• Magnesium Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA), 2008/04/10
<http://www.vitaminsupps.com/magnesium-recommended-daily-allowance-rda/> (2009/08/10)
• Magnesium metabolism, 2005/04/09, <http://magnesiummetabolism.blogspot.com/> (2009/08/10)
• <http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/423568_2> (2009/08/10)
• Magnesium in Biology<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_in_biology> (2009/08/11)
• Magnesium <http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/y2809e/y2809e0k.htm> (2009/08/11)
• Magnesium <http://www.acu-cell.com/acn.html> (2009/08/11)
• Magnesium Online Library <http://www.mgwater.com/durexfgs.shtml> (2009/08/11)
• Hypermagnesaemia 2007/10/11< http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/766604-
overview>(2009/08/11)