Calcium is an essential mineral found within the body and also available in many foods such as milk, cheese and certain vegetables and grains. Calcium gluconate is a specific form of calcium used for an array of health benefits. The National Cancer Institute reports that calcium gluconate is beneficial for maintaining calcium in the blood, preventing bone loss and preventing certain cancers.
Osteoporosis Prevention
As the most abundant mineral found in the body, calcium gluconate is necessary for many vital functions, most importantly bone health. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that every person should consume adequate calcium gluconate throughout their lives to support bone mass and prevent bone loss that increases with age. Osteoporosis is one of the most prevalent bone disorders affecting more than 10 million individuals in the United States alone. If the body is low in calcium, the bone begins to breakdown stored calcium in order to carry on normal biological processes. This decrease in stored bone calcium can lead to many complications associated with osteoporosis such as fractures of the hip and vertebrae, according to the NIH. Women are at the highest risk for developing osteoporosis because of the accelerated bone loss that occurs during menopause. The NIH recommends that proper calcium intake and regular exercise are vital for the maintenance of bone health.
Hypocalcemia
Hypocalcemia is characterized by the loss of insufficient levels of calcium in the circulating in the blood. Hypocalcemia is a life threatening disorder that can lead to many complications such as neuromuscular irritability if not treated correctly, according to the Cleveland Clinic Hospital. Calcium gluconate is the most widely used form of treatment for individuals suffering from hypocalcemia. The Cleveland Clinic Hospital reports that calcium gluconate is the most preferred over other forms of calcium because it leads to less tissue damage.
Decrease Cancer Risk
Besides promoting bone health by supporting bone density, calcium also has been reported to be beneficial for individuals diagnosed with cancer. Clinical trials by the NIH have found that higher dietary of intakes of calcium gluconate in foods are associated with a decrease colon cancer risk. Epidemiological trials reported that individuals who consumed 700 to 800 mg of calcium per day showed a 50 percent lower risk of developing cancer of the colon. The results showed a reduction of several precursor tumors that lead to cancers from increased calcium intake.
Hydrofluoric Burn Relief
Over 200 cases of individuals suffering from hydrofluoric acid burns noted benefits from administering topical calcium gluconate. The most common symptoms of these burn patients were swelling, redness, and blistering of the skin, according to the NIH. The individuals suffering from burns received a topical calcium gluconate gel and noted a significant decrease of symptoms. The NIH reported that calcium gluconate was shown to be effective in reducing symptoms and increasing recovery time.
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