Calcium is an essential mineral that plays a signature role in the transmission of nerve impulses through the central nervous system. In the nerve cells, calcium takes the form of an ion --- a positively charged atom that conducts electricity. Eating an adequate amount of minerals in your diet is the best way to ensure that your nerves are functioning properly.
Nerve Impulses
The nerve cell relies upon two major parts --- the axon and the synapse --- to send impulses. The axon is a long, slender projection that makes contact with other cells --- usually nerves but sometimes even muscle and gland cells --- at the synaptic junction. Calcium operates along the very end of the axon. When an impulse arrives, the membrane on the surface of the cell becomes more permeable to the calcium lingering on the outside. The calcium then diffuses into the cell through a unique channel and triggers the release of neurotransmitters --- chemicals that transmit signals between nerve cells --- across the synapse. Many of the neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin and adrenaline, directly influence mood and behavior.
Calcium Concentration
A strict gradient maintains the balance between intra-cellular and extra-cellular calcium concentrations. This concentration will change depending upon the demands of the cell. The arrival of an impulse signals the need to pump the calcium in. However, the cell can also pump the calcium back out to reset the gradient in order to await the arrival of the next impulse. This action requires an input of energy.
Sources of Calcium
Dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese are the most significant source of calcium in the average American diet. For example, a single serving of whole milk can contain 27 percent of the entire daily value. Non-dairy sources of calcium include sardines, salmon, spinach, turnips, kale, Chinese cabbage and broccoli. Grain and bread products contain a small amount of calcium, which can add up quickly due to their ubiquity in the average diet. Manufacturers also fortify fruit juices, tofu and cereals with calcium.
Calcium Intake
The Food and Nutrition Board at the Institute of Medicine established an adequate calcium intake of 1 g per day for adults between 19 and 50 years of age. Inadequate intake produces no obvious symptoms in the short-term. The human body carefully regulates circulating calcium and will raid the mineral supply in your bones to maintain proper levels. However, if blood calcium levels do fall too low, it can cause a number of nerve-related symptoms such as numbness and tingling in the fingers, convulsions, and an abnormal rhythm in the heart.
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