### element | metal | calcium:

Adequate calcium
* helps develop and maintain bone mass.
* is important in breeding and young reptiles
  - unquestionably important to overall health
* keeps many parts of the body healthy.

### element | metal | calcium:

Calcium citrate
* alkalizes the urine and suppresses the secretion of oxalates.
* is an example of such a chelated preparation.
* is more beneficial than calcium carbonate
  - soluble than calcium carbonate
  - one of the most readily absorbed form of calcium supplement
  - recommended for people who suffer from constipation
  - somewhat easier for older people with low stomach acidity to tolerate
  - that best absorbed form of supplemental calcium
* is the most easily absorbed and inexpensive form
  - salt that is used to fortify breakfast cereals and orange juices
  - used to prevent and to treat calcium deficiencies
  - usually more expensive than calcium carbonate, however

Calcium supplementation
* can be especially important for gravid female geckos.
* increases the bone mineral status of Gambian children.
* is only one part of an osteoporosis prevention and treatment program.
* is very important for all women
  - to a wide range of people

Coral calcium
* can even prevent osteoporosis by supplying the body with needed calcium.
* is composed of calcium carbonate and trace minerals.
* salt of calcium derived from fossilized coral reefs.

### element | metal | calcium:

Dietary calcium
* Most dietary calcium comes from dairy products
  - is absorbed into the bloodstream in the small intestine
* Some dietary calcium has different effects
* builds strong teeth and bones.
* helps bind oxalate, reducing risk of the most common type of stone formation.
* is absorbed better than calcium from supplements
  - essential for maintaining strong bones and preventing osteoporosis
  - important for all people to develop strong, healthy bones
  - needed for strong, healthy bones

Excess calcium
* can harm renal function and can cause kidney stones
  - lead to irritability and headache, soft-tissue calcification, and kidney failure
* is excreted through the urine
  - likely to appear as kidney or gall-bladder stones
  - routed to the bones through the influence of calciotropic hormones
* tends to be deposited in various parts of the body, particularly the joints.

Excessive calcium
* Some excessive calcium interferes with absorption
  - copper absorption
* can interfere with the absorption of copper, iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc.
* is often due to low magnesium, although there are other causes.

Extra calcium
* can be harmful to a growing chick.
* is important for maintaining strong bones
  - often needed in the hen's diet and a good natural source for calcium is almonds

High calcium
* can deplete magnesium.
* intake early in life correlates with severity.
* reduces copper absorption by increasing the pH of the intestinal contents.

Inadequate calcium
* can lead to milk fever in pregnant or lactating does.
* is thought to contribute to the development of osteoporosis.

Intracellular calcium
* can reach levels where it is life-threatening to the nerve cells.
* is vital to many regulatory pathways inside cells.

Sufficient calcium
* intake from food, and supplements if needed, can slow the rate of bone loss.
* is important, in any case, for strong bones health.