Calcium deficiencies can result from diet, age, stress, lactose intolerance, medications or disease. High-salt diets, excessive caffeine and alcohol and/or low body weight can cause low calcium absorption. Although excellent food sources include dairy products, sardines, spinach and broccoli, a calcium supplement or eating fortified foods may be required to meet the 1,000 mg per day adequate intake requirement. People under 19 years old and over 50 need more. Various salts are combined to make calcium supplements. Calcium gluconate is the calcium salt of gluconic acid used as a supplement or a food additive.
Function
Calcium is an abundant element in the body, essential for normal functioning of nerves, muscles, bone and heart. It also regulates the release of neurotransmitters and hormones, and assists in the metabolism of amino acids. Calcium gluconate helps maintain calcium balance and prevent bone loss when eaten in fortified food or taken as a supplement with food.
Uses
With insufficient or low absorption of calcium from food, calcium gluconate can help treat muscle disease, bone loss, weak bones and hypoparathyroidism. Calcium gluconate is also used to supplement calcium levels for women who are pregnant, nursing or postmenopausal and to combat inhibited calcium absorption caused by certain medications. It also relieves muscle cramping from black widow spider bites. In cases of hypocalcemia, calcium gluconate may aid in alleviating symptoms and help control the disease.
Fortification
Calcium gluconate is used as a calcium-boosting additive in some foods because it's very soluble and has no taste, but it actually only delivers between nine and 13 percent usable calcium. Dairy products such as milk and yogurt market their product as "with added calcium" or "high" in calcium as a result of added calcium salts such as calcium gluconate. Fruit juices, especially orange juice, breads and cereals often contain added calcium using calcium gluconate.
Hypocalcemia
Calcium gluconate is used to treat hypocalcemia, even in infants. Hypocalcemia is caused by an insufficiency or loss of calcium, resulting in very low levels in the body. A double-blind study conducted by Women & Infants' Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence used 43 preterm infants to examine the effect of calcium gluconate for neonatal hypocalcemia. Results published in "American Journal of Perintology" concluded calcium gluconate raised serum calcium and decreased clinical signs of hypocalcemia.
Side Effects
Unlikely but serious side effects from calcium gluconate might include constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, increased thirst or urination, weakness and fatigue. Although serious allergic reaction is rare, seek medical attention if you experience symptoms including rash, itching, swelling, dizziness or trouble breathing. Do not take calcium gluconate if you also take other medicines that may interact with the supplement without first consulting your doctor.
References
- Office of Dietary Supplements: National Institute of Health: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Calcium: Sources of Calcium
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Calcium Supplements: What to Look for
- RxList: Calcium Gluconate: Indications
- Calcium Fortification in Dairy Products: Solubility vs. Calcium Content
- PubMed.gov: Effects of Single Dose Calcium Gluconate Infusion in Hypocalcemic Preterm Infants; Porcelli PJ Jr, et al.; 1995
- Drugs.com: Calcium Gluconate: Side Effects
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