Calcium is a naturally-occurring mineral that is necessary for most organisms to promote healthy tissue growth. In humans, it is needed for both healthy muscles and healthy bones.

Though technically a form of metal, this mineral is one of the major components of the human body and is required to keep the body operating efficiently. Still, scientists say that more than half of Americans do not get enough calcium.

The mineral helps cells operate, allowing the free flow of nutrients within the cell. It is a major component of teeth and bones, which serve as the body?s storage facility for calcium. If the body does not get enough calcium long-term, it will rob calcium from the storage compartments in the bones and lead to osteoporosis.

Calcium is deposited in the bones throughout a lifespan, but more is deposited in the growth years and more is removed during pregnancy and post-menopause in women. Calcium is also necessary for maintaining proper blood flow and a regular heart beat. Too much calcium can lead to kidney stones.

Short-term effects of a calcium deficiency can include muscle-cramps and bone and tooth damage. In the muscles, calcium works with potassium to create the enzymes needed to contract and release the muscle. If either calcium or potassium is lacking in a person?s diet, it can lead to severe muscle cramps.

Pure calcium does not usually occur in nature, but calcium alloys are the fifth most common metal on the planet. It is a fine, gray and somewhat powdery metal. Because it is a naturally-occurring metal, calcium can sometimes be found in water, creating ?deposits? on everything from dishes to bathtubs, An overabundance of calcium in the water is one of he things used to designate ?hard water.?

Because calcium does not naturally occur in a pure state, it is often mixed with other minerals. These minerals can affect the absorption of the mineral as can the presence or lack of other vital nutrients. For example, the body cannot properly use calcium without Vitamin D. Good sources of Vitamin D include sunshine and dairy products.

In addition to its nutrient value, calcium is also used in a number of well-known products including plaster of paris and calcium silicate, a fire-proofing material. In it?s various forms, calcium is also used to separate other metals from salts they bond with including zirconium and uranium.