MAJOR MINERALS

Minerals are essential for the normal growth & maintenance of the body . Essential for calcification of bone, blood coagulation, neuromuscular irritability, acid-base equilibrium, fluid balance & osmotic regulation. If the daily requirement is more than 100 mg, they are called major elements or macro minerals . If the daily requirement is less than 100 mg, they are called as micro minerals.
Minerals classification
Minerals are classified into two categories: major and minor. If the daily requirement is more than 100 mg, they are called major elements or macro minerals, while If the requirement of certain minerals is less than100 mg/day, they are known as minor elements or micro minerals or trace elements.
Blood Calcium Distribution
Calcium is present exclusively in the plasma , to the extent of 9 to 11 mg % which represent about 1% from total body calcium . Also about 99% from total calcium exists in bones and teeth . In the plasma , calcium exists in two physiologically distinct fractions :
1. Diffusible or ionized fraction
2. Non- diffusible or unionized fraction .
A small fraction of about 0.5 mg% is present bound as an unionized complex ion with citrate.
It is critical to maintain blood calcium concentrations within a tight normal range. Deviations above or below the normal range frequently lead to serious disease.
• Hypocalcemia refers to low blood calcium concentration. Clinical signs of this disorder reflect increased neuromuscular excitability and include muscle spasms, tetany and cardiac dysfunction.
• Hypercalcemia indicates a concentration of blood calcium higher than normal. The normal concentration of calcium and phosphate in blood and extracellular fluid is near the saturation point; elevations can lead to diffuse precipitation of calcium phosphate in tissues, leading to widespread organ dysfunction and damage.
Preventing hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia is largely the result of robust endocrine control systems.