How does calcium help?
Calcium is very essential for humans. 99% of calcium in the body is in the bones and it constitutes 2% of body weight. At birth the body content of calcium is 30 grams and in adults it is 1200 grams. 180 milligrams a day should be retained during growth. Calcium binds with fluoride in the GI tract and such a compound is eliminated through the feces. A diet poor in calcium increases body’s retention of fluoride. Fluoride increases bone metabolism and the diets deficient in calcium intake provokes parathyroid hyperactivity. This in turn mobilizes calcium from bone to keep the serum levels, which causes weakening of bones by causing osteoporosis. Weight bearing lower limb bones suffers leading to grotesque deformities. These deformities in lower limb bones are called as ‘genu valgum’ and these are not seen in individuals living in high endemic regions of fluorosis in Punjab since their diet contains adequate calcium. Daily calcium requirements of preschool children are 500-800 milligrams
