Calcium News and Research

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Calcium, the most abundant mineral in the body, is found in some foods, added to others, available as a dietary supplement, and present in some medicines (such as antacids). Calcium is required for muscle contraction, blood vessel expansion and contraction, secretion of hormones and enzymes, and transmitting impulses throughout the nervous system. The body strives to maintain constant concentrations of calcium in blood, muscle, and intercellular fluids, though less than <1% of total body calcium is needed to support these functions.

The remaining 99% of the body's calcium supply is stored in the bones and teeth where it supports their structure. Bone itself undergoes continuous remodeling, with constant resorption and deposition of calcium into new bone. The balance between bone resorption and deposition changes with age. Bone formation exceeds resorption in growing children, whereas in early and middle adulthood both processes are relatively equal. In aging adults, particularly among postmenopausal women, bone breakdown exceeds formation, resulting in bone loss that increases the risk of osteoporosis over time.

New insights into coronavirus E channel could lead to antiviral drugs

The genome of the SARS-CoV-2 virus encodes 29 proteins, one of which is an ion channel called E. This channel, which transports protons and calcium ions, induces infected cells to launch an inflammatory response that damages tissues and contributes to the symptoms of Covid-19.

13 Oct 2023

Can coffee silverskin be used to prevent aging?

The anti-aging properties of coffee silverskin extracts (CSE).

13 Oct 2023

Study reassures patients on safety of widely prescribed hypertension drug amlodipine

A new paper in the journal Function, published by Oxford Univetrsity Press, finds that a widely prescribed drug for treating hypertension, amlodipine, is not dangerous for patients, despite recent concerns from researchers and clinicians that taking amlodipine may have risks.

12 Oct 2023

Unlocking hope: Promising treatments for cognitive impairment in HIV patients on the horizon

Researchers examine the mechanisms responsible for the increased risk of neurocognitive impairment in HIV patients and explore potential treatments.

12 Oct 2023

Saline injection treatment for calcific tendinopathy provides no meaningful benefit over placebo

A saline injection treatment widely used for calcific tendinopathy - a common, painful condition caused by a build-up of calcium in the rotator cuff tendons of the shoulder - provides no meaningful benefit over placebo, concludes a trial published by The BMJ today.

11 Oct 2023

Scientists identify nearly a dozen genes responsible for coronary artery calcification

An international team of scientists has identified nearly a dozen genes that contribute to calcium buildup in our coronary arteries that can lead to life-threatening coronary artery disease, a condition responsible for up to one in four deaths in the United States.

11 Oct 2023

Is a vegan diet a healthy choice for kids?

In a comprehensive review published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, scientists analyzed the health implications of vegan diets in children and adolescents. The study reveals both benefits and concerns, highlighting lower cholesterol levels but potential nutritional deficiencies that might affect bone health.

10 Oct 2023

Health experts redefine cardiovascular disease risk, prevention and management

Health experts are redefining cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, prevention and management, according to a new American Heart Association presidential advisory published today in the Association's flagship journal Circulation.

9 Oct 2023

3D printing crafts cerebral cortex tissues: A breakthrough for brain injury treatment

Researchers utilize 3D printing to craft cerebral cortex tissues with organized neurons, offering potential treatments for brain injuries. This novel technique prints neural progenitors in layer-by-layer sequences, aiming for accurate tissue restoration in damaged brains.

8 Oct 2023

Researchers identify new potential treatments for children with rare genetic conditions of blood vessels

A research team at the Francis Crick Institute and Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH)/UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health have identified new potential treatments for children with rare genetic conditions of blood vessels, which cause severe, lifelong, and disabling symptoms like seizures and impaired development.

5 Oct 2023

New insights into how neutrophils fight Candida albicans infection

Umeå University researchers, Sweden, unveil how the most common white blood cells, neutrophils, counter Candida albicans toxin stopping its tracks.

5 Oct 2023

Dietary deep dive: Unveiling the good, the bad, and the unclear in blood pressure battleground

An umbrella review in Advances in Nutrition critically analyzes various dietary elements' effects on blood pressure and hypertension, revealing a spectrum of impacts across different food groups and nutrients. While certain diets and foods like DASH, ketogenic, and flaxseed show promise in blood pressure control, the evidence varies widely, urging further research to refine existing hypertension dietary guidelines.

4 Oct 2023

New study reveals inequalities in the provision of heart valve replacement surgery

There are striking inequalities in the provision of major (aortic) heart valve replacement surgery across England, with women, Black and Asian people, and those living in areas of deprivation much less likely to receive the life-saving procedure, suggests a large data analysis, published in the open access journal Open Heart.

4 Oct 2023

Could seaweeds be the superfood and medicine of the future?

Researchers consolidate the diverse nutritional and medicinal benefits of seaweeds, touting their potential in food, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals. The study also highlights challenges and opportunities in industrial applications, calling for more research to optimize extraction and refinement processes.

2 Oct 2023

What are the pharmacological properties of black goji berries?

The pharmacological effects of the components of Lycium ruthenicum Murray fruits.

29 Sep 2023

Study highlights healthy, low-calorie foods to help meet nutritional requirements of pregnant people

Most pregnant people in the U.S. are at risk of not getting enough of six nutrients important to a healthy pregnancy-;vitamin A, vitamin D, folate, calcium, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids-;from foods alone.

27 Sep 2023

Could CaMKK2 enzyme be the key to treating bipolar disorder?

Researchers explore the role of the CaMKK2 signaling pathway in bipolar disorder, suggesting it as a new treatment target. By targeting this enzyme, scientists aim to develop more effective therapies for bipolar symptoms and metabolic dysfunction.

24 Sep 2023

Is hemp the superfood vegetarians have been waiting for?

This recent study in the journal Nutrients delves into the nutritional power of hemp seeds, highlighting their potential as a rich source of proteins, essential fatty acids, and dietary fiber—particularly valuable for vegetarians. The paper also suggests that hemp could offer numerous health benefits, from antioxidant activity to potentially aiding in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, paving the way for more focused research.

22 Sep 2023

Renowned experts comprehensively review how climate change occurs and increases risk of cardiovascular disease

There is already robust evidence that people living with cardiovascular disease are disproportionately affected by poor air quality and extreme temperatures, in large part due to climate change, the greatest threat to human health of the 21st century.

21 Sep 2023

Does arsenic exposure cause mortality due to cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's and congenital anomalies?

The association between arsenic exposure due to groundwater contamination and mortality rates.