Calcium is the most abundant mineral in human body, its 99% is deposited in the bones and teeth, the remaining 1% in blood and cell.

It is a useful mineral for muscles, nervous system and bones. Calcium is especially useful for pregnant women and children. Calcium deficiency can lead to diseases such as osteomalacia, osteoporosis and rachitis. In particular, the composition of milk and dairy products is rich in calcium. After this summary article, it has been responded to questions as headings such as how to provide the calcium need and in which products it included:

Calcium mineral and its characteristics

Calcium belongs to the group of alkali metals. Its symbol is “Ca”. “Ca” symbol derived from Latin “calx” which means lime. It is the most abundant element in the human body. Calcium is accepted in the composition of nutritional products, but it can’t be absorbed completely, some subsidiary substances such as vitamin C and vitamin D, fats and phosphorus is needed for complete absorption of calcium by organism.

It is useful for health of the bones and teeth. It constitutes the basis of bones and teeth.
It has a positive effect for blood coagulation. At the same time, it helps to keep blood pressure at normal level. It provides the strengthening of muscles. In particular, it has vital importance for systemic functioning of the heart muscles. It has a positive effect on normal functioning of the nervous system.

Calcium deficiency and exceeding the norm

Calcium deficiency causes bone and dental diseases. This situation shows itself in the form of developmental delay of bone, softening and sensitiveness. At this time, the pain increases in the body, the muscles are weakened. Developmental delay of bones and mineral deficiency is called rachitis in children, osteomalacia in women. In older people, calcium deficiency causes to bone fractures, bones are soft, this disease is called osteoporosis. It is impossible to prevent from natural aging process and its effects, but the bones can be strengthened by taking the necessary amount of vitamin D and calcium.

Excessive calcium may cause high pressure, hardening of the vessels, stagnation in organism, abnormal bone growth and stone formation in the kidneys.

Daily calcium demand

Daily calcium demand of normal person in a mature age is in the limit of 800-1000 mg. A person who is drinking two cups of milk will provide half the daily demand. In people with developmental stage, pregnant women, and those who can’t get enough sun energy, calcium demand of the body increases. Pregnant women are recommended to take 1300 mg calcium per day.

Schedule of calcium demand

Infants: 0-12 months : 400-600 mg

Children: 1-9 age : 800 mg

Youth: 10-18 age 1300 mg. after the age of 19 : 100 mg

Teens: 19-50 age : 1000mg

Adults: 51 – 65 age and more : 1200 mg

Pregnant women : 1300 mg

Which are calcium-rich foods?

Calcium is mostly in milk and dairy products. Calcium is better absorbed by the organism in these products. Moreover, organism can accept calcium to a considerable extent from products such as dry beans, sesame seeds, nuts, egg yolks and grape fruitade. Though there is calcium in the composition of green leafy greens and grain products, level of calcium absorption by organism is very low in those products. The oxalate and phytic acid contained in these products reduce the absorption level of calcium. Feeding with protein foods also reduces the absorption level of calcium by organism.

Lithium was discovered by Johan August Arfwedson in 1817, included in the group of alkali metals (I group) in the periodic table, lithium is a chemical element with symbol “Li” and atomic number 3. This metal which is in the lowest thickness never occurs freely in nature. Soft and silvery-white colored metal Lithium is cut. It becomes to gray in the result of the effect of air. As a result of this reaction, Lithium oxide (Li2O) forms. Its color is getting dark and becomes dirty with this oxidation.

Metal has enrichment capability, therefore it is used as alloy in charging of mobile phone and camera batteries and in the facilities of air transport. Lithium compounds are used in production of lithium carbonate and aluminum, moreover in ceramics industry, in treatment of double (bipolar) disorder and manic depression. Lithium hydride is used in production of hydrogen gas, lithium hydroxide is used in production of motor oil and oils, lithium chloride and bromide is used in cooling systems. The second great field of use of lithium is glass production, it is used in glass production as mineral and lithium carbonate.

Lithium deficiency

Diseases caused by lithium deficiency include pain in joints, hair loss, extreme sensitivity to cold, fatigue, depression, fattening or weight loss, skin dryness. It is rarely found. It may be observed in each person not depending on gender. The effect of these diseases caused by lithium deficiency may be decreased with correct feeding.

Foodstuffs containing lithium

Lithium is in the composition of mineral waters, drinking water, milk, egg, olive, rye and wheat plants, beef liver, leek (scallion), celery, lettuce, leafy greens, potato, tomato, orange and sea foods. 

The pH value is a unit of measurement that expresses the level of any mixture on acidity or base. The pH value of mixture changes between 0 and 14. 0-7 is acidity, 7-14 is base mixture and 7 is neutral.

The pH degree of water has valued from 0 up to 14. 0-7 is estimated as acidity, 7 as neutral, 7-14 as alkali water. The pH degree of pure water is 7. Possessing of water to acidity feature indicates that, there is excess carbon dioxide in its composition, possessing to alkalinity feature indicates that, there is excess calcium bicarbonate and alkaline salts in its composition. Moreover, existing of potassium, calcium and magnesium in its composition decreases the acidity level of water. Low alkaline water is more effective and useful for human health.

The pH values of water sources in nature are different depending on substances in their composition. The pH value of water depends on resistance to the hydrogen ion in its composition. Ten times change of resistance to the hydrogen ion causes to a unit change of pH value.

The pH value of water must be low-alkali or neutral both in natural sources and in drinking water. In general, the most suitable pH value in source water is 6,5 - 8,5, but 6,5-9,2 in drinking water. Comparison of use permitted by law for natural source water is determined between 45,9,5.

Besides pH value of ideal water, the degree of hardness is also very important in terms of health. The degree of hardness indicates the total quantity of magnesium and calcium in the composition of water. Water containing magnesium and calcium in small quantities is called soft water and is very well for drinking. But, it causes the organism not to take the minerals in necessary quantity. The degree of hardness of drinking water used in Turkey is low in principle. As the degree of hardness of water, pH value of water depends on calcium and magnesium values.

The European Union recommends 15 (FS) degree of hardness for drinking water and the World Health Organization recommends 10 (FS) degree of hardness. The most ideal pH value of drinking water is 7,5-8,5.

Potassium is about 2 grams in each kilogram of the body in mature aged persons. That is, about 160 grams of potassium is available in the body of a person with a weight of 80 kg. Potassium is an important mineral that has a positive effect on the electrolyte balance in organism, controlling to nerve sensitivity, controlling to blood pressure and normal functioning of ferments. The daily potassium demand of each mature aged person is between 1,6-2 grams. The potassium demand of each person is provided easily at the time of daily feeding, therefore potassium deficiency usually lacks in organism. Rarely observed cases of potassium deficiency are called “hypokalemia”. Persons with hypokalemia have long-term vomiting, chronic stomach ache (indigestion), renal diseases, poor appetite, muscle weakness, brain fog, nervous tension and changes in heart attacks. In the case of excess potassium in organism, “hypokalemia” disease and renal failure in this regard and damages in heart muscles appear.

Foodstuffs containing potassium: coffee, green tea, green greens (broccoli, beet, cabbage), dry beans, dry fruits such as almond and nuts, dried fruits such as fig and apricot, fish, fruit juice and avocado. 

Sodium is a mineral that regulates water balance in organism. It is very useful for nervous system and muscle movements. Moreover, it provides the passage from cell walls for feeding of cells in the body.

The followings are observed at the time of sodium deficiency:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Asthenia
• Giddiness
• Fall of pressure
• Concentration problem
• Memory weakness
• Nausea
• Spasms

Indigestion, sweating, renal pains or low salt taking and more water drinking that can cause to lose of salt in organism are symptoms of sodium deficiency in organism.

Benefits of sodium to organism:

• Provides the protection of pH value in blood;
• Helps to regulation of nervous and muscular functions;
• Provides the passage of foods from cell membranes;
• Protects water balance in organism;
• Affects to high blood pressure;
• Provides the activity of heart muscles.

Daily sodium demand

The daily sodium demand of the mature aged person is 2-3 grams. This quantity may be obtained from 5 grams of table salt. Therefore, provision of sodium demand is very easy. Demand for sodium increases in the case of pregnancy or in the cases of organism loses water and mineral such as indigestion and excess sweating. Mother milk contains enough sodium, therefore kids should not be given salt or salty foods up to 1 year. Moreover, the sodium demands of people having a pressure are less than that of healthy people.

Magnesium, one of the basic minerals in organism, is a necessary combination in many metabolic processes in organism. 20-28 grams magnesium must be in the body of the mature aged healthy person. Magnesium inside of bones constitutes 60% of this comparison, the remaining comparison is inside of tissue and organs. There is much magnesium in heart and brain.

In the case of low magnesium in organism, it must be obtained as outsourcing aid. If this magnesium insufficiency is not eliminated, organism starts to use of its resources. Especially, it starts to use of magnesium in bone. Organism needs for magnesium in each metabolic process requiring an energy. Magnesium that decreases high sensitivity in nervous system and helps to calming of persons is recognized as anti-stress mineral. It helps to turn blood sugar to energy and puts ferments in motion in organism. Magnesium is very useful mineral for organism.

BENEFITS OF MAGNESIUM:

• Helps to use substances such as phosphorus, vitamin C and calcium in the body effectively.
• Provides more healthy and strong face, hair and nails.
• Helps to correct activity of nervous system.
• Helps to regulate body temperature.
• Decreases asthma and allergy impacts.
• Strengthening of magnesium affects to decrease of menstruation pains in women.
• Affects to prevention from spasms in the course of pregnancy.
• It is determined as a result of researches conducted among patients having depression and anxiety that, they have magnesium deficiency. Such persons may say the benefits of regularly taking magnesium.
• It has a calming effect because it has beneficial effect in the nervous system. Especially, this affect increases more when it is together with calcium.
• Magnesium prevents calcium from reaching the brain causing the brain cells to die out and in addition, provides the brain cells to be alive.
• It has positive affect to activation of hormones and prevention from neurological problems.
• Reduces the risk of paralysis of smokers.
• It has positive affect to sodium and potassium balance in organism.

Solution of carbon dioxide gas available in all aerated drinks and mineral waters is called “carbonate”. It gives easily absorption feature to drinks, one of the main benefits of carbon dioxide gas is prevention from bacterium and microbe in drinks, therefore it is safe for consumers.

Existence of carbon dioxide in the composition of mineral waters and other aerated drinks can be seen when we open the glass, what happens in our organism after drinking these products?

Carbon dioxide gas in the composition of product is absorbed immediately and speedily by gastrointestinal system. But, all of the carbon dioxide gas in the composition of product does not reach our stomach. When the bottle opened and if it remains in open condition, one part of it mixes with the air, the remaining part mixes with air absorbed when a product is drunk and causes to belch.

In this case, the great part of gas in product does not reach up to digestive system. Reaching quantity is absorbed immediately. Drinks containing carbon dioxide gas is absorbed speedily in intestines during this rapid absorption and causes the system to discharge more quickly than normal. Facilitation of digestive process by mineral water and prevention from nausea happens so.

The absorbed carbon dioxide passes to blood and the majority of it is carried to lungs for releasing from organism. Carbon dioxide is carried in blood in three forms. About 10% mixes directly to blood, about 20% connects with hemoglobin cells, the remaining 70% mixes with water in the composition of red blood cells, it is carried by red blood cells in the form of bicarbonate.

Very great part of carbon dioxide gas in our blood appears not from aerated drinks, but when our organism turns carbohydrates, proteins and fats to energy. In other words, existence of carbon dioxide in our blood is an event of daily metabolic activity.

When we do sports, we feel the quantity of carbon dioxide increases in our blood. The quantity of carbon dioxide in the blood increases as we produce more energy as mobility increases. Our respiratory system reacts to this situation accordingly to receive more oxygen and to clean more carbon dioxide and we start to breathe quickly.

Not depending on energy we spent, natural chemical reactions in healthy organism clean carbon dioxide gas from blood efficiently and regularly during our breathing. As a result of it, normal acid/ basic balance appears in our organism. 

Ammonium is a chemical substance that plays the role of mineral in ammoniacals. Formule: NH⁺₄ . Ammonium is a NH⁺₄ group consisting of 1 nitrogen and 4 hydrogen. One part of the ammonia, which has been soluble in water, reacts with water and forms an ammonium ion. This atomic group that is not unique replaces +1 cation in compounds. The NH⁺₄ cation is similar to potassium. Ammonia, which indicates basic weak features, directly reacts with acids and forms ammoniacals. Most of the ammoniacals are very similar to the salts of corresponding alkaline metals. In general, they are soluble easily in water. Ammoniacals break down upon heating; salts of non-oxidizing acids give ammonia. Ammonium is a weak acid. It is a colorless gas soluble in water. It is in the composition of proteins in nature. Therefore, there is ammonium in sea foods and in living organisms, it is important for keeping of basic acid balance.